Down from the “Ivory Tower”? Not so much…Italian political scientists and the constitutional referendum campaign

Abstract Academics are often accused of being secluded in their “ivory towers”, focused on research and teaching but uninterested in, or unable to engage with, the public debate. If this is actually case, under what conditions at particular moment likely change? Following three relevant dimensions—the visibility political scientists, partisanship impact sphere—and combining press analysis with original survey data, article has two main aims: first, assess Italian scientists’ (IPSs) social relevance a period huge institutional conflict such as constitutional referendum held December 2016; second, explore potential factors leading IPSs be more less present For former, we focus during campaign, well content interventions, both concerning neutral/partisan stance attitudes towards reform. latter, empirically test few personal that influence individuals’ participation