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Youth Affective Polarization and Trust (YAPT)

The Tayarisha African Centre of Excellence for Digital Governance, Wits School of Governance, is part of a transatlantic research team conducting a study on Youth Affective Polarization and Trust (YAPT).

The YAPT Project brings together leading institutions from South Africa (Wits University, University of Fort Hare, University of the Western Cape), Brazil (CEBRAP), India (PDAG), and the United Kingdom (Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex) to investigate how young people engage with contested political topics online.

Urban Youth

Focusing on urban youth aged 18–24, as defined by the United Nations, the South African leg of the study delves into the local political landscape to understand how digital platforms shape trust, polarization, and civic behaviour. The project employs co-designed methodologies that foster interdisciplinary collaboration between social scientists and data scientists, ensuring a robust and context-sensitive approach.

The Launch

Launched on September 30, 2024, the YAPT Project will run until September 29, 2027. In April 2025, the South African research team convened in Muldersdrift, Gauteng, to collaboratively design the study framework and chart the course for the next phases of research. This initiative reflects Tayarisha’s commitment to advancing digital governance and youth engagement across the Global South.

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