Katharina V. Hajek, M.A.
Academic Staff
How do people react when they feel their freedom is under threat – and how can resistance be transformed into productive dialogue? These questions guide my research at the intersection of communication studies, political psychology, and civic engagement. I explore how tensions between individual autonomy and the need for belonging shape (political) mobilization and public discourse – especially in digital environments.
A particular focus of my work is the further development of psychological reactance theory. In my dissertation, I developed a new process model of the emotional dynamics of reactance and, building on that, a typology of reactance-driven resistance strategies. Across my projects, I aim to make theoretical insights and complex questions tangible through creative methods – for example, in an interdisciplinary discourse training or through an AI-based conversation coaching tool currently being developed as part of the project reaktanz.ifkw.lmu.de.
In both my academic and public-facing roles – including as the IfKW’s communications officer – I draw on many years of experience as a communications manager, stress coach, and consultant in the field of health communication. I am committed to connecting research, teaching, and public outreach in meaningful ways – for a scholarship that resonates beyond academia. Learn more at www.katharina-hajek.de.
Research Focus: Resistance | Political Psychology | Psychological Reactance | Discourse | Belonging