Dr. A. (Alessandro) Nai
Faculteit der Maatschappij- en Gedragswetenschappen
Programmagroep: Political Communication & Journalism
Bezoekadres
- Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
Postadres
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Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
1018 WV Amsterdam
Contactgegevens
Social media
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Profile
I am an Associate Professor of Political Communication and Journalism at the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR), University of Amsterdam. I hold a PhD in political science from the University of Geneva (2010).
My research focuses on political communication, voting behaviour, political psychology, and campaigning effects. I have recently published works on the personality of politicians, the drivers of negative campaigning and its effects, the psychological and emotional underpinnings of persuasion, populist communication, and comparative electoral behavior.
I am currently directing a research project that maps the use of negative campaigning in elections across the world, which has already collected data for 190+ elections since June 2016 based on judgments of 2,200+ country experts. Browse the published articles from the project and download the data.
I am an Associate Editor at the Journal of Elections, Public Opinion & Parties and the Journal of Social and Political Psychology.
I am currently working on three books: Dark Politics. The Personality of Politicians and the Future of Democracy (with J. Maier, out in 2023 at Oxford University Press), The Psychology of Negative Electoral Campaigns. Perceptions, Evaluations, and Effects (with L. Otto, out in 2024 at Routledge), and the Elgar Encyclopedia of Political Communication (with M. Grömping & D. Wirz, out in 2025 at Edward Elgar Publishing).Research expertise
- Political communication
- Political psychology
- Election campaigns
- Negative campaigning, incivility
- Candidate personality
- Dark personality
- Dark politics
- Voting and political behavior
- Comparative political communication
Media appearances
Research appeared in following media (selection):
The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/18/opinion/republicans-populism-political-psychology.html
The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/31/presidential-candidates-dark-triad-desantis/
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/nov/17/rightwing-eurovision-fans-love-an-ethno-traditional-tune-research-shows
The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/trump-finally-saw-benefits-preventing-death/609214/
CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/31/world/coronavirus-trump-bolsonaro-putin-populists-intl/index.html
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Research
Research methods
- Experiments
- Public opinion surveys
- Expert surveys
- Social media data
- Automated content analysis
Current research projects
- The Negative Campaigning Comparative Expert Survey
- The Peer Review Comparative Study
RPA
- Conflict & Society, co-pi (2024-2028)
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Publicaties
2024
- Hameleers, M., Gravesteijn, E. M. L., Bos, L., & Nai, A. (2024). Communicating delegitimisation. Political information and challenges to democracy. In T. Araujo, & P. Nijens (Eds.), Communication Research into the Digital Society: Fundamental Insights from the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (pp. 53-68). AUP.
- Mendoza, P. M., Nai, A., & Bos, L. (2024). The Fleeting Allure of Dark Campaigns: Backlash from Negative and Uncivil Campaigning in the Presence of (Better) Alternatives. Political Communication. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10584609.2024.2314604
- Nai, A., Vermeer, S. A. M., Bos, L., & Hameleers, M. (2024). Disenchantment with Political Information: Attitudes, Processes, and Effects. In T. Araujo, & P. Neijens (Eds.), Communication Research into the Digital Society: Fundamental Insights from the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (pp. 53-68). AUP.
2023
- Casiraghi, M., Curini, L., & Nai, A. (2023). Populism in the eye of the beholder? A conjoint experiment on citizens’ identification of populists. European Journal of Political Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6765.12589
Maier, J., & Nai, A. (2023). Mapping the drivers of negative campaigning: Insights from a candidate survey. International political science review = Revue internationale de science politique, 44(2), 195-211. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192512121994512- Nai, A., & Maier, J. (2023). Mediatized campaign attacks fuel affective polarization if perceived as negative: Experimental evidence with American voters. International Journal of Communication : IJoC, 17, 5246–5267. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/19016 [details]
- Nai, A., Aaldering, L., Ferreira da Silva, F., Garzia, D., & Gattermann, K. (2023). The dark side of the mood. Candidate evaluation, voter perceptions, and the driving role of (dark) personality traits. Electoral Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2023.102715
- Nai, A., Schemeil, Y., & Valli, C. (2023). A persuadable type? Personality traits, dissonant information, and political persuasion. International Journal of Communication : IJoC, 17, 1061–1082. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/19182/4039 [details]
- Nai, A., Young, E. L., & Bos, L. (2023). Correction: Pop populism: Ethno-traditionalism beyond national borders and the populist radical right. Acta Politica, 58, 761-764. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41269-022-00272-5
- Valli, C., & Nai, A. (2023). Dispositioned to resist? The Big Five and resistance to dissonant political views. Personality and Individual Differences, 207, Article 112152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2023.112152 [details]
- Zugravu, A., Medeiros, M., & Nai, A. (2023). A Tormenting Dilemma: American Identity and Attitudes Towards Torture. American Politics Research, 51, 457–466. https://doi.org/10.1177/1532673X231173917 [details]
2022
- Maier, J., & Nai, A. (2022). When conflict fuels negativity. A large-scale comparative investigation of the contextual drivers of negative campaigning in elections worldwide. The Leadership Quarterly, 33(2), Article 101564. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2021.101564 [details]
- Medeiros, M., Nai, A., Erman, A., & Young, E. (2022). Personality traits of world leaders and differential policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social Science & Medicine, 311, Article 115358. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115358 [details]
- Nai, A. (2022). Populist voters like dark politicians. Personality and Individual Differences, 187, Article 111412. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.111412 [details]
- Nai, A., Medeiros, M., Maier, M., & Maier, J. (2022). Euroscepticism and the use of negative, uncivil and emotional campaigns in the 2019 European Parliament election: A winning combination. European Union Politics, 23(1), 21-42. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/14651165211035675 [details]
- Nai, A., Tresch, A., & Maier, J. (2022). Hardwired to attack. Candidates' personality traits and negative campaigning in three European countries. Acta Politica, 57(4), 772–797. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41269-021-00222-7 [details]
- Nai, A., Tresch, A., & Maier, J. (2022). Tailored negativity. Campaign consultants, candidate personality, and attack politics. Swiss Political Science Review, 28(2), 338-360. https://doi.org/10.1111/spsr.12525 [details]
- Petkevič, V., & Nai, A. (2022). Political attacks in 280 characters or less: A new tool for the automated classification of campaign negativity on social media. American Politics Research, 50(3), 279-302. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/1532673X211055676 [details]
- Tatum, A., & Nai, A. (2022). Entitled and self-conscious? The ego-centric underpinnings of electoral preferences during the 2020 U.S. election. Research & Politics, 9(4). Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/20531680221145554 [details]
- Valli, C., & Nai, A. (2022). Attack politics from Albania to Zimbabwe: A large-scale comparative study on the drivers of negative campaigning. International political science review = Revue internationale de science politique, 43, 680–696. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192512120946410 [details]
- Valli, C., & Nai, A. (2022). let me think about it: Cognitive elaboration and strategies of resistance to political persuasion. Media Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2022.2098774
- Vargiu, C., & Nai, A. (2022). Sincerity over accuracy: Epistemic preferences and the persuasiveness of uncivil and simple rhetoric. International Journal of Communication : IJoC, 16, 4457–4480. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/18018 [details]
- Verhulsdonk, I., Nai, A., & Karp, J. A. (2022). Are political attacks a laughing matter? three experiments on political humor and the effectiveness of negative campaigning. Political Research Quarterly, 75(3), 720–737. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/10659129211023590 [details]
2021
- Gravelle, T. B., Medeiros, M., & Nai, A. (2021). In the Shadow of the Tower: Spatial proximity to mosques, visible diversity, and support for the radical right. Political Geography, 91, Article 102499. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2021.102499 [details]
- Maier, M., Jalali, C., Maier, J., Nai, A., & Stier, S. (2021). When do parties put Europe in the centre? Evidence from the 2019 European Parliament election campaign. Politics, 41(4), 433-450. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02633957211008348 [details]
- Nai, A. (2021). Fear and Loathing in Populist Campaigns? Comparing the Communication Style of Populists and Non-populists in Elections Worldwide. Journal of Political Marketing, 20(2), 219-250. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15377857.2018.1491439 [details]
- Nai, A. (2021). Voter information processing and political decision making. In D. P. Redlawsk (Ed.), The Oxford encyclopedia of political decision making (Vol. 2). Article e-913 Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.912 [details]
- Nai, A., & Maier, J. (2021). Can anyone be objective about Donald Trump? Assessing the personality of political figures. Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties, 31(3), 283-308. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/17457289.2019.1632318 [details]
- Nai, A., & Maier, J. (2021). Is Negative Campaigning a Matter of Taste? Political Attacks, Incivility, and the Moderating Role of Individual Differences. American Politics Research, 49(3), 269-281. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/1532673X20965548 [details]
- Nai, A., & Maier, J. (2021). Teflon Trump? Shifting Public Perceptions of Donald Trump’s Personality Traits across Four Studies over 18 Months. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 33(2), 294-314. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpor/edaa030 [details]
- Nai, A., & Maier, J. (2021). The wrath of candidates. Drivers of fear and enthusiasm appeals in election campaigns across the globe. Journal of Political Marketing. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15377857.2021.1930327
- Nai, A., & Otto, L. P. (2021). When they go low, we gloat. how trait and state schadenfreude moderate the perception and effect of negative political messages. Journal of Media Psychology, 33(2), 82-93. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000283 [details]
- Nai, A., Maier, J., & Vranić, J. (2021). Personality goes a long way (for some). An experimental investigation into candidate personality traits, voters’ profile, and perceived likeability. Frontiers in Political Science, 3, Article 636745. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2021.636745 [details]
- Seeberg, H. B., & Nai, A. (2021). Undermining a rival party's issue competence through negative campaigning: experimental evidence from the USA, Denmark, and Australia. Political Studies, 69(3), 623-643. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032321720916162 [details]
2020
- Maier, J., & Nai, A. (2020). Roaring candidates in the spotlight: Campaign negativity, emotions, and media coverage in 107 national elections. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 25(4), 576-606. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/1940161220919093 [details]
- Nai, A. (2020). Going negative, worldwide: Towards a general understanding of determinants and targets of negative campaigning. Government and Opposition, 55(3), 430-455. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1017/gov.2018.32 [details]
- Nai, A. (2020). The Trump paradox: How cues from a disliked source foster resistance to persuasion. Politics and Governance, 8(1), 122-132. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v8i1.2428 [details]
- Nai, A., & Maier, J. (2020). Dark necessities? Candidates’ aversive personality traits and negative campaigning in the 2018 American Midterms. Electoral Studies, 68, Article 102233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2020.102233 [details]
- Nai, A., & Toros, E. (2020). The peculiar personality of strongmen: Comparing the Big Five and Dark Triad traits of autocrats and non-autocrats. Political Research Exchange, 2(1), Article 1707697. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/2474736X.2019.1707697 [details]
2019
- Gerstlé, J., & Nai, A. (2019). Negativity, emotionality and populist rhetoric in election campaigns worldwide, and their effects on media attention and electoral success. European Journal of Communication, 34(4), 410– 444. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267323119861875 [details]
- Nai, A. (2019). Disagreeable narcissists, extroverted psychopaths, and elections: A new dataset to measure the personality of candidates worldwide. European Political Science, 18(2), 309-334. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41304-018-0187-2 [details]
- Nai, A. (2019). The Electoral Success of Angels and Demons: Big Five, Dark Triad, and Performance at the Ballot Box. Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 7(2), 830-862. https://doi.org/10.5964/jspp.v7i2.918 [details]
- Nai, A. (2019). Voter Information Processing and Political Decision Making. In W. R. Thompson (Ed.), Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics Article e-912 (Oxford Research Encyclopedias). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.912 [details]
- Nai, A. (2019). Watchdog press. In T. P. Vos, & F. Hanusch (Eds.), The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (Vol. 3). (The Wiley Blackwell-ICA International Encyclopedias of Communication). Wiley Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0167 [details]
- Nai, A., & Martinez i Coma, F. (2019). The personality of populists: provocateurs, charismatic leaders, or drunken dinner guests? West European Politics, 42(7), 1337-1367. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402382.2019.1599570 [details]
- Nai, A., & Martínez i Coma, F. (2019). Losing in the polls, time pressure, and the decision to go negative in referendum campaigns. Politics and Governance, 7(2), 278–296. https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v7i2.1940 [details]
- Nai, A., Martínez i Coma, F., & Maier, J. (2019). Donald Trump, Populism, and the Age of Extremes: Comparing the Personality Traits and Campaigning Styles of Trump and Other Leaders Worldwide. Presidential Studies Quarterly, 49(3), 609-643. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/psq.12511 [details]
2018
- Karp, J. A., Nai, A., & Norris, P. (2018). Dial ‘F’ for fraud: Explaining citizens suspicions about elections. Electoral Studies, 53, 11-19. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2018.01.010 [details]
- Lanz, S., & Nai, A. (2018). How elections shape campaigning effects in direct democracy. In L. Morel, & M. Qvortrup (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook to Referendums and Direct Democracy (pp. 348-367). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203713181-21 [details]
- Nai, A., & Maier, J. (2018). Perceived personality and campaign style of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Personality and Individual Differences, 121, 80-83. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.09.020 [details]
- Nai, A., & Sciarini, P. (2018). Why 'going negative'? Strategic and situational determinants of personal attacks in Swiss direct democratic votes. Journal of Political Marketing, 17, 382-417. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15377857.2015.1058310
- Nai, A., & Seeberg, H. B. (2018). A series of persuasive events. Sequencing effects of negative and positive messages on party evaluations and perceptions of negativity. Journal of Marketing Communications, 24(4), 412-432. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527266.2018.1428672 [details]
2017
- Martinez i Coma, F., & Nai, A. (2017). Ethnic diversity decreases turnout. Comparative evidence from over 650 elections around the world. Electoral Studies, 49, 75-95. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2017.07.002 [details]
- Nai, A. (2017). The Fourth Estate. In P. Norris, & A. Nai (Eds.), Election Watchdogs: Transparency, Accountability, and Integrity (pp. 191-210). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190677800.003.0010 [details]
- Nai, A., Schemeil, Y., & Marie, J-L. (2017). Anxiety, Sophistication, and Resistance to Persuasion: Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental Survey on Global Climate Change. Political Psychology, 38(1), 137-156.
2016
- Nai, A. (2016). Introduction: Opinions individuelles et arguments de champagne et démocratie directe suisse. In A. Nai (Ed.), Le citoyen face à ses opinions: arguments, connaissances et campagnes politiques en Suisse (pp. 9-28). Seismo Verlag.
- Nai, A. (2016). La formation de l'opinion entre predispositions et information politique. In A. Nai (Ed.), Le citoyen face à ses opinions: arguments, connaissances et campagnes politiques en Suisse (pp. 29-69). Seismo Verlag.
2015
- Lanz, S., & Nai, A. (2015). Vote as you think: Determinants of consistent decision-making in direct democracy. Swiss Political Science Review, 21(1), 119-139.
- Nai, A. (2015). The maze and the mirror: Voting correctly in direct democracy. Social Science Quarterly, 96(2), 465-486.
- Nai, A., & Walter, A. S. (2015). How Negative Campaigning Impinges on the Political Game: a Literature Overview. In A. Nai, & A. S. Walter (Eds.), New perspectives on negative campaigning: why attack politics matters ECPR Press.
- Nai, A., & Walter, A. S. (2015). The War of Words: the Art of Negative Campaigning. In A. Nai, & A. S. Walter (Eds.), New perspectives on negative campaigning: why attack politics matters (pp. 1-31). ECPR Press.
- Nai, A., Petitpas, A., Holecz, V., Marechesini, M., & Sanogo-Willers, B. (2015). An OCEAN of Negativity. An Experimental Assessment on Personality Traits and the Chances to 'Go Dirty' in Debates on Political Issues. In A. Nai, & A. S. Walter (Eds.), New perspectives on negative campaigning: why attack politics matters (pp. 2017-232). ECPR Press.
- Sciarini, P., Lanz, S., & Nai, A. (2015). Till immigration do us part? Public opinion and the dilemma between immigration control and bilateral agreements. Swiss Political Science Review, 21(2), 271–286.
- Walter, A. S., & Nai, A. (2015). Explaining the Use of Attack Behaviour in the Electoral Battlefield: A Literature Overview. In A. Nai, & A. S. Walter (Eds.), New perspectives on negative campaigning: why attack politics matters (pp. 97-114). ECPR Press.
- Walter, A. S., & Nai, A. (2015). Where to Go From Here in the Study of Negative Campaigning: The Comparative Challenge Ahead. In A. Nai, & A. S. Walter (Eds.), New perspectives on negative campaigning: why attack politics matters (pp. 327-333). ECPR Press.
2014
- Nai, A. (2014). Choisir avec l'esprit, voter avec le Coeur. Causes et conséquences des processus cognitifs de formation de l'opinion en Suisse lors des votations fédérales. Seismo Verlag.
- Nai, A. (2014). The Cadillac, the mother-in-law, and the ballot: individual and contextual roots of ambivalence in Swiss direct democracy. Electoral Studies, 33, 292-306.
2013
- Giugni, M., & Nai, A. (2013). Paths towards consensus: Explaining decision-making in the Swiss Global Justice Movement. Swiss Political Science Review, 19(1), 26-40.
- Giugni, M., & Nai, A. (2013). Quality of Deliberation: A Multilevel Analysis. In D. Della Porta, & D. Rucht (Eds.), Meeting democracy. Power and deliberation in Global Justice Movements (pp. 152-178). Cambridge University Press.
- Nai, A. (2013). What really matters is which camp goes dirty. Differential effects of negative campaigning on turnout during Swiss federal ballots'. European Journal of Political Research, 52(1), 44-70.
2010
- Cinalli, M., Giugni, M., & Nai, A. (2010). Political participation and protests of migrants: comparing the role of political opportunities across nine cities in Europe'. Rivista italiana di scienza politica, 3, 397-422.
2009
- Nai, A., & Lloren, A. (2009). Intérêt spécifique et comportement politique des citoyennes suisses (1999-2005). Swiss Political Science Review, 15(1), 99-132.
2022
- Nai, A., Garzia, D., Aaldering, L., Ferreira da Silva, F., & Gattermann, K. (2022). For a research agenda on negative politics. Politics and Governance, 10(4), 243–246. https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v10i4.6622 [details]
2017
- Norris, P., & Nai, A. (Eds.) (2017). Election Watchdogs: Transparency, Accountability, and Integrity. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190677800.001.0001 [details]
2016
- Nai, A. (2016). Le citoyen face à ses opinions: arguments, connaissances et campagnes politiques en Suisse. Seismo Verlag.
2015
- Nai, A., & Walter, A. S. (2015). New perspectives on negative campaigning: why attack politics matters. ECPR Press.
2023
- Bos, L., Nai, A., & Saadettin, M. (2023). One people across conflict lines: Experimental evidence of the unifying power of morality frames in populist appeals. Paper presented at ECREA Political Communication Section Conference, Berlin, Germany.
- Bos, L., Nai, A., & Saadettin, M. (2023). One people across conflict lines: Experimental evidence of the unifying power of morality frames in populist appeals. Paper presented at Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap.
- Nai, A., Bos, L., Saadettin, M., & Wirz, D. S. W. (2023). Great vengeance and furious anger: Populist rhetoric and the roots of voters’ rage against the system . Paper presented at ECPR General Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.
2022
- Bos, L., Nai, A., & Saadettin, M. (2022). Establishing the populist people across conflict lines. Paper presented at ECPR General Conference, Innsbruck, Austria.
2020
- Goldberg, A. C., & Nai, A. (2020). Nexit, Frexit or Grexit? A comparison of parties’ and citizens’ positions toward EU exit referendums. Paper presented at EPSA Annual conference (virtual), .
Prijs / subsidie
- Nai, A. & Bos, L. (2023). ASCoR Dutch Elections Monitor Survey (DEMoS).
Tijdschriftredactie
- Nai, A. (editor) (2019-2022). Frontiers in Political Science (Journal).
- Nai, A. (editor) (2019-2022). Journal of Social and Political Psychology (Journal).
2021
- Nai, A., Medeiros, M., Maier, M. & Maier, J. (2021). sj-do-2-eup-10.1177_14651165211035675 - Supplemental material for Euroscepticism and the use of negative, uncivil and emotional campaigns in the 2019 European Parliament election: A winning combination. SAGE Journals. https://doi.org/10.25384/sage.16575096.v1
- Nai, A., Medeiros, M., Maier, M. & Maier, J. (2021). sj-xlsx-3-eup-10.1177_14651165211035675 - Supplemental material for Euroscepticism and the use of negative, uncivil and emotional campaigns in the 2019 European Parliament election: A winning combination. SAGE Journals. https://doi.org/10.25384/sage.16575099.v1
This list of publications is extracted from the UvA-Current Research Information System. Questions? Ask the library or the Pure staff of your faculty / institute. Log in to Pure to edit your publications. Log in to Personal Page Publication Selection tool to manage the visibility of your publications on this list. -
Nevenwerkzaamheden
- Geen nevenwerkzaamheden
Maier, J., & Nai, A. (2023). Mapping the drivers of negative campaigning: Insights from a candidate survey. International political science review = Revue internationale de science politique, 44(2), 195-211.