We are a political science research group at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, driven by a shared question: How do people experience political representation – and what does it mean when your own group is barely visible in politics?
We study political behavior, identity, and representation from a comparative perspective. Our work brings together scholars at different stages of their careers, united by a commitment to rigorous empirical research and questions that matter beyond academia.
Our projects take us across Europe, from large-scale comparative surveys to expert interviews, and to the intersection of social science and democratic practice. We are particularly interested in groups whose political experiences have long been overlooked: how they engage with politics, how they are represented, and what it takes for representation to feel real.
This is who we are:
Dr. Constantin Wurthmann is a Professor of Political Behaviour and Representation at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. His research sits at the intersection of comparative politics and political sociology, with a strong empirical focus on electoral behaviour and the political representation of social groups — particularly those whose experiences have long remained at the margins of political science.
Mara Wiegmann, M.A., is a research associate at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and a member of the working group Political Behaviour and Representation. Her work centres on marginalisation, discrimination, and their political consequences, with a particular focus on sexual and gender minorities as well as ethnic minorities.
Jonas Schorpp, B.A., is a research assistant at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and a member of the working group Political Behaviour and Representation. His studies focus on EU politics and Europeanisation, public policy and governance analysis, with a particular interest in public opinion and political behaviour. He has also developed a strong interest in migration and minority research.
Marie Antoni is a research assistant at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and a member of the working group Political Behaviour and Representation.
Yannik Burkart is a research assistant at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and a member of the working group Political Behaviour and Representation.
Dominik Schrenk is a research assistant at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and a member of the working group Political Behaviour and Representation.
The working group has had the pleasure of working with a number of excellent colleagues over the years. We are grateful for their contributions.
Sam Bartelt, B.A., was a research assistant in our team. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mannheim with a focus on international relations. Following, he completed an internship at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research. Starting in autumn 2026, he will pursue a Master of Public Administration at the London School of Economics. His academic interests include international relations and organisations, public policy, and socio-economic analysis.
Prof. Dr. Constantin Wurthmann 