Roderik Smits

Roderik Smits is an Assistant Professor in Media and Creative Industries at the Department of Media and Communication, Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, Erasmus University Rotterdam. He serves as Academic Coordinator of the Research Master Sociology of Culture, Media and the Arts, and has extensive international experience in academia and industry collaboration across the UK, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.

His research focuses on the structural and cultural dynamics of media and creative industries, particularly in film and television. Key areas include media policy, production, distribution, exhibition, and the transformative impact of streaming platforms. He investigates gatekeeping mechanisms, festival formats, and the evolving role of cultural intermediaries in a digital landscape.

His recent publications reflect a strong thematic trend centered on disruption, access, and transformation in European cinema. With a focus on hybrid festivals, AI in programming, and online film circulation, his work bridges academic inquiry with real-world industry challenges. The integration of policy, platform studies, and cultural economy underscores his interdisciplinary approach.

Roderik has contributed to significant collaborative research projects such as MeCETES, Beyond the Multiplex, and Screen Agencies as Cultural Intermediaries, funded by HERA and AHRC. He has also held prestigious fellowships including the Marie Curie and Postdoc Network Brandenburg, enhancing his transnational research profile.

He actively collaborates with key industry organizations including Creative Europe, Europa Distribution, and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, demonstrating a strong commitment to academic impact beyond the university. His work in research clusters such as VCE (Value in the Creative Economy) and PCI (Popular Culture and Inequalities) further highlights his engagement with pressing societal and economic issues in the cultural sector.