The Center is directed by Erik Amnå. It mainly grew out from Young Citizen Program, a research network based at Göteborg University 2002-2006, in which four doctoral dissertations and several other publications on political socialisation were produced. At any given time, the research group includes around ten doctoral students, postdocs, guest researchers and permanent senior researchers.

We specialize in studies into the general development of European democracies at individual, organisational and societal levels. In several projects we analyze through what mechanisms and processes civic engagement is developed, in particular among youth, in family, school, associations, Internet activities as well as in special experiments and interventions.

Currently, we are working on empirical studies, jointly funded projects, and new grant applications in collaboration with researchers in psychology, education, and media and communication studies. Our funding is from Swedish and European sources.