Dr J.M. van Lit (Joep)

Joep van Lit is a postdoctoral researcher in comparative political science. He conducts research into autocratisation and the decline of democracy, focusing in particular on the people and ways in which democracy can be defended. In his research, he uses various methods, ranging from interviews to survey experiments and advanced statistics and computer models.

In addition to his research, Joep is active in public debate, for example by advising civil servants and politicians or giving public lectures.

He obtained his PhD in political science (cum laude) at Radboud University with a thesis entitled 'Beautiful Spark of Democracy'. Prior to that, he obtained a research master's degree in political science and public administration (cum laude), a bachelor's degree in African Studies (cum laude) and International Relations, all at Leiden University.