Humour as an epistemic practice of the political present

Projektinformationen

NoJoke

ID Finanzhilfevereinbarung: 101040059

DOI

10.3030/101040059

EK-Unterschriftsdatum 25 August 2022

Startdatum 1 Januar 2023

Enddatum 31 Dezember 2027

Finanziert unter

• European Research Council (ERC)

Gesamtkosten

€ 1 895 277,50

EU-Beitrag

€ 1 895 277,50

Koordiniert durch

JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE-UNIVERSITAET FRANKFURT AM MAIN
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NoJoke (Humour as an epistemic practice of the political present)

Berichtszeitraum: 2023-01-01 bis 2025-06-30

Zusammenfassung vom Kontext und den Gesamtzielen des Projekts

Humour is a powerful and complex force in politics and public discourse. From satire to comedic journalism, humour can expose contradictions, challenge authority, and shape the way people perceive political realities. In recent years, it has played a crucial role in political campaigns, protest movements, and media debates, influencing both democratic participation and social change. NoJoke investigates how humour and comedic practices function as epistemic tools—ways of understanding, interpreting, and influencing the political present. By examining the role of humour in political discourse, the project sheds light on how artists, comedians, journalists, politicians and humorous protest movements explore and navigate political tensions, negotiate power structures, and engage with democratic institutions.

The project’s objectives are threefold:
# Understanding the Political Role of Humour – Investigating how humour and humourists intrude into politics.
# Developing a Theory of Humour as an Epistemic Practice – Exploring humour as a mode of perception, critique, and creative expression in contemporary politics.
# Innovating Academic Knowledge Production – Introducing new ways of studying the political present by integrating humour-based methodologies, including stand-up comedy, satire analysis, and performative research.

Through a combination of ethnographic research and experimental methodologies, NoJoke contributes to a deeper understanding of the intersections between humour, power, and political practice. The project not only advances academic debates but also informs policymakers, media professionals, and activists on the transformative potential of humour in public life.

Arbeit, die ab Beginn des Projekts bis zum Ende des durch den Bericht erfassten Berichtszeitraums geleistet wurde, und die wichtigsten bis dahin erzielten Ergebnisse

NoJoke has undertaken extensive field research, theoretical development, and methodological innovation to examine humour’s role in politics. Key activities and achievements include:

Ethnographic Fieldwork: Conducted research in parliaments, political campaigns, satirical media outlets, and with comedians, journalists and politicians in Germany, Mexico, India, and the Iranian diaspora to analyze how humour operates in different political contexts.

Media and Discourse Analysis: Examined comedic journalism, satirical performances, and online memes to understand how humour shapes political narratives and public debate.

Theoretical Contributions: Developed a framework based on dissonance theory, highlighting how humour reveals contradictions and tensions in the political present.

Innovative Research Methods: Integrated stand-up comedy and performative research into academic practice, using live performances as tools for political analysis and public engagement.

Collaborative Outputs: Partnered with comedians, curators, and other artists s to produce public performances, workshops, and exhibitions that bridge academia and society.

Public and Academic Dissemination: Organized open-mic events, conference panels, and digital outreach initiatives to share findings with both academic and non-academic audiences.

The project’s interdisciplinary approach has significantly contributed to humour studies, political anthropology, and media research, opening new pathways for understanding contemporary political dynamics.

Fortschritte, die über den aktuellen Stand der Technik hinausgehen und voraussichtliche potenzielle Auswirkungen (einschließlich der bis dato erzielten sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen und weiter gefassten gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Projekts)

NoJoke has produced valuable insights that contribute to advancing research in humour and the political present. Key results include:

Expanding the Understanding of Humour as an Epistemic Tool: Demonstrated that humour is not just a form of entertainment or critique but a distinct way of knowing, interpreting, and engaging with political reality.

Developing Innovative Research Approaches: Explored comedic performance as a method of inquiry, providing an alternative way to analyze and communicate political phenomena.

Strengthening Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Fostered engagement between academia, artistic communities, and political actors, facilitating knowledge exchange beyond traditional academic settings.

To build on these contributions, future research could focus on:

Expanding Research Networks: Establishing international collaborations to explore political humour in more diverse contexts.

Application in Policy and Media: Translating research findings into practical guidelines for journalists, educators, and political communicators.

Public Engagement Initiatives: Developing interactive platforms, performances, and educational programs to make research findings more accessible and impactful.

By bridging academic inquiry with public engagement, NoJoke offers new perspectives on the role of humour in contemporary politics and highlights its potential as a tool for critical reflection and social change.

Project logo

Mirco doing research

NoJoke objectives (art by Aike Arndt)