The Helsinki Hub on Emotions, Populism, and Polarisation (HEPPsinki), at the Faculty of Social Sciences, takes a cultural approach to populism, studying mobilisation in space and through time, humour, ressentement and resilience in multiple externally funded projects (major foundations, Academy of Finland, EC). Our international, interdisciplinary group includes circa 20 active members in different career phases from UH and abroad, joining in hybrid weekly meetings and organising the highly popular HEPP conferences (200+ participants from around the world). PIs Emilia Palonen and Juha Herkman, prominent scholars in the field, promote excellence and active science communication in the research group.
The Sixth Helsinki Conference on Emotions, Populism, and Polarisation (HEPP6) will take place on 18-20 May 2026. You can follow news on the conference website.