Elly Konijn is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and Network Institute of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, holding the Fenna Diemer-Lindeboom Endowed Chair. As chair of the Media Psychology Amsterdam program, her work bridges media psychology, social robots, affective processing, and adolescent media use . Research Pillars : Relating to media figures, virtual humans, and social robots Media-based reality perceptions and moral standards Adolescent media effects (cyberbullying, video games, body image) Recent Publications explore emotional bonding with robots, narrative complexity in film, and media's impact on adolescent cognition. Her 2025 Communication Theory article introduces a framework for human-artificial others relationships. Scientific Recognition : KNAW/NWO Eurekaprijs (2015) Computable Award (2021) Network Institute Competitive Research Funding (2025) She supervises 16 PhD students and leads projects like ROBOT-BOND (ERC Advanced Grant 2025-2029) and Communicating with Social Robots (2020-2025). Her documentaries (e.g., Alice Cares ) translate research into public discourse.
Dr. Corinna Oschatz is affiliated with the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Amsterdam, specializing in the Political Communication & Journalism department. Her research focuses on negative campaigning, narrative persuasion, media's role in political knowledge dissemination, and public opinion dynamics. She holds a Doctorate and is reachable at c.m.oschatz@uva.nl. Research Interests: Her work bridges political communication theory and practical journalism impacts, analyzing how media narratives shape voter perceptions and democratic engagement. She explores strategies in political messaging and the ethical dimensions of journalistic practices in polarized environments.
Prof. Sanne Kruikemeier is a Professor of Digital Media and Society at Wageningen University & Research (WUR). She leads the ERC Starting Grant (HUNTING) and a NORFACE consortium grant, coordinating research across four European universities (2020–2024). As director of the Digital Data and Democracy Lab and member of the AlgoSoc Gravitation Program, she explores digitalization's societal and democratic impacts. Her research focuses on data-driven political targeting, social media's role in polarization, privacy behavior, and digital journalism. She holds roles on the editorial boards of journals like Human Communication Research , International Journal of Press/Politics , and Digital Journalism . Awards include the KNAW Early Career Award and ICA Herbert S. Dordick Dissertation Award. Her work bridges digital media, political communication, and societal change, addressing challenges like misinformation and democratic engagement. Kruikemeier advises PhD candidates on projects like data-driven campaigning's impact on democracy and polarization strategies. She engages in public discourse through media commentary on social media's role in politics and news consumption trends. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates communication science with computational methods to analyze modern political and social dynamics.
Prof. Emiel Krahmer is a Professor at the Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD), Tilburg University. His research focuses on healthcare communication, digital health technologies, and patient-centered approaches. He explores barriers/facilitators in return-to-work strategies for trauma patients, personalized predictions in rehabilitation, and the role of serious games in health behavior change. His work also addresses ethical challenges in self-monitoring platforms for mental health, emphasizing epistemic justice and algorithmic fairness. Collaborations with medical professionals and interdisciplinary teams highlight his contributions to digital health innovation. Key projects include studies on trauma patient perspectives, implementation of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and game-based interventions. His research bridges communication science and clinical practice, aiming to enhance patient engagement and equitable healthcare delivery through technology.
Joost Raessens is Professor of Media Theory at Utrecht University's Faculty of Humanities, Department of Media and Culture Studies, where he leads research in Media and Performance Studies. He coordinates the Horizon Europe-funded project STRATEGIES: Sustainable transition for Europe's game industries (2024-2028), focusing on how games, AI, and extended reality impact the climate crisis. His research spans several interconnected areas focused on the intersection of digital media, gaming, and environmental sustainability. Raessens explores how immersive experiences like Games and XR for Change contribute to advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals through his Green Media Studies framework. His work examines the environmental impact of the gaming industry while investigating how games can foster ecological citizenship and climate awareness. He has pioneered research on "ecogames" - games designed to engage players with climate crisis issues through playful perspectives. Raessens' recent publications reveal a clear trend toward examining gaming's dual role in the climate crisis - as both a contributor to environmental problems and a potential solution. His work analyzes how games like Collapsus, SpaceBuzz, and Symbiosis create meaningful engagement with ecological issues, while also addressing the carbon footprint of the gaming industry itself. This research sits at the intersection of game studies, environmental humanities, and digital media theory. His notable recognition includes: Incentive for the development of an International Master Degree Game Studies (2011) Raessens actively supervises multiple PhD projects including 'The becoming-playful of warfare in the Netherlands' (2021-2025) and 'Experiencing the past: Bridging art, history, and young people's media environment through multisensory XR engagement' (2022-2026). He leads significant research initiatives including the NWO-funded project on "Long-term consumer and community empowerment in energy applications through inclusive Game design, Artificial Intelligence and system Modelling" (2022-2026) and previously directed the Utrecht University Graduate Programme "Game Research" (2015-2021). He co-founded and directed the Utrecht Center for Game Research (2014-2024), creating a hub for interdisciplinary game studies that connected humanities scholars with computer scientists. This center facilitated numerous collaborative projects examining the societal impact of games, from persuasive gaming to citizen science applications.
Valentijn Visch is a researcher and academic at Delft University of Technology's Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, specializing in Human-Centered Design and Society, Culture, and Critique. His work focuses on eHealth interventions, gamification in healthcare, and reducing health-related stigmas through innovative design solutions. He teaches courses such as 'eHealth Design for a Healthy Society' and 'Understanding Humans,' emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare challenges. His research projects include developing embodied coaches for stroke rehabilitation, AI-driven healthcare decision-making frameworks, and inclusive eHealth tools for low socioeconomic populations. He has been recognized with awards like the Rehabilitation Year Award 2024 for his work on cardiac rehabilitation interventions and a CHI 2024 Best Paper Honourable Mention for studies on patient preferences in AI autonomy. Visch collaborates on initiatives like the 'Emotion Aware Car Seat' project, exploring human-technology interaction. His work bridges academic research with real-world applications, addressing gaps in healthcare accessibility and patient empowerment through technology.
Jean Wagemans is a Professor at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Humanities, where he leads research in the Department of Speech Communication, Argumentation Theory and Rhetoric. His work specializes in the interdisciplinary study of argumentative discourse, bridging philosophy, linguistics, and computational analysis. He maintains an active research profile with recent publications exploring AI-generated argumentation, legal/medical discourse, and digital misinformation. Wagemans' research centers on argumentation theory, rhetoric, and debate, with emphasis on practical applications in AI ethics, healthcare communication, and public discourse. His recent investigations include: Developing computational models like Adpositional Argumentation (AdArg) for natural discourse analysis Examining ethical frameworks for AI-generated arguments Creating argument-checking methodologies to combat misinformation Analyzing normative structures in public deliberation His scholarly publications (2022-2024) demonstrate a distinct trajectory toward computational argumentation, with recurring themes of AI ethics, misinformation detection, and applied discourse analysis. Recent works systematically address: The intersection of argumentation theory with AI systems Methodologies for evaluating reasoning in natural language Cross-disciplinary applications in law, medicine, and digital humanities
Prof. José Sanders serves as Rector Magnificus and Chair of the Board of Deans at Radboud University, holding a full Professorship specializing in narrative communication within organizational contexts, including health communication, journalism, and advertising. Research Interests: Her work applies cognitive linguistic frameworks to analyze how narrative structure, style, and viewpoint alignment influence audience understanding, engagement, and behavioral intentions. Key domains include discourse optimization for strategic communication, narrative health interventions, and perspective-taking mechanisms in textual discourse. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2019-2023) consistently explore narrative applications in health contexts—chronic Lyme disease patient experiences, childbirth narratives, vaccination communication, and schizophrenia discourse—using cognitive linguistic analysis to examine viewpoint representation and communicative efficacy. Grants and Projects: 2012-2017: NWO Programme ‘Begrijpelijke Taal’ project on prevention and health regulation through understandable personal narratives (nr. 321-89-006), collaborating with ArboNed/Sector Institute for Transport and Logistics. Ancillary Activities: Current external roles include Lector and coordinator of lectores at ’s-Hertogenbosch Cathedral Basilica (since 2011), Chair of Thijmgenootschap’s general board (2024-2028), and member of the Netherlands Commander of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre’s board (2022-2026).
Dr. Martijn Goudbeek is an Associate Professor at Tilburg University's Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD), specifically within the Department of Communication and Cognition. His research focuses on the intersection of emotion, language, and cross-cultural communication, with a strong emphasis on vocal and linguistic expression of affect. He has contributed significantly to understanding how emotional states influence language production and perception, particularly across cultural and linguistic boundaries. His work spans experimental psychology, computational linguistics, and human-robot interaction. He is affiliated with the Communication and Cognition department and teaches courses like 'The Emotional Brain' and 'Statistics and Experimental Methods.' Key research themes include vocal emotion recognition in multilingual contexts, the role of rhythm and acoustic cues in affective communication, and the reproducibility of language evaluation methods. He has led projects such as the Multilingual Emotional Football Corpus (MEmoFC) and explored how cultural factors shape nonverbal expressions like smiles and gestures. His studies often combine empirical experiments with computational modeling, addressing topics ranging from politeness in mood-influenced communication to the design of socially intelligent chatbots and robots. Dr. Goudbeek’s interdisciplinary approach bridges cognitive science, linguistics, and digital technologies. While no specific grants or awards are listed, his extensive publication record reflects sustained contributions to understanding human emotion expression and its technological applications. His work frequently engages with questions of reproducibility in NLP and dialogue systems, emphasizing methodological rigor in computational linguistics.
Dr. Vivian Chen is an Associate Professor at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, Department of Media and Communication, Erasmus University Rotterdam. Her work focuses on the social and psychological impacts of interactive digital media such as AI, video games, virtual reality, and social media. She investigates how technology influences communication behaviors, identity negotiation, and social relationships in both real and virtual environments. Her expertise includes interdisciplinary projects designing digital media for positive social outcomes, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Key research clusters include REACT (Responsible Engagement with AI, Culture and Technology) and VEGAS (Virtual Environments, Games and Society). Her recent articles emphasize VR's role in empathy enhancement, avatar embodiment for immigrant integration, and educational VR applications. She has been invited as a keynote speaker on immersive technology's prosocial potential and has engaged in media commentary on gaming culture and digital identity. Active in academic organizing, she chairs events like the Dutch DiGRA 2024 Symposium. Notable research highlights include studies on social presence in online education, classification of VR experiences, and the psychological effects of avatar personalization. Her work bridges digital media design with societal impact, addressing issues like prejudice reduction and cultural diversity through innovative technology applications.
Mariken van der Velden is an Associate Professor of Political Communication at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Department of Communication Science, affiliated with the Network Institute and the Communication Choices, Content and Consequences (CCCC) group. She holds a PhD in Political Science from VU Amsterdam and has postdoctoral experience at the University of Zurich, as well as visiting researcher roles at the University of North Carolina and the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on political communication, computational social science, and the impact of political rhetoric on democratic processes. Her key research projects include studying the electoral consequences of political compromises (funded by NWO Veni) and the perceived legitimacy of government communication (funded by NWO National Science Agenda). She also contributes to the OPTED H2020 consortium, advancing multilingual textual analysis methods. Her work addresses challenges like democratic representation and political fragmentation. Van der Velden has been recognized with awards such as the Best FSS Researcher and two Best Paper Awards from the International Communication Association (ICA). She teaches courses on political communication, data science, and research proposal writing. As co-Director of the ReSCU Lab, she explores resilience, security, and civil unrest in digital societies.
Joop de Boer is a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Science, Department of Environmental Policy Analysis, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Amsterdam and continues as a guest researcher at the Institute for Environmental Studies. His work focuses on multidisciplinary environmental policy, including energy conservation, risk communication, and culturally sensitive food issues such as sustainable protein transitions. Education: Doctorate in Psychology, University of Amsterdam Research Interests: Climate change communication and public understanding Sustainable food systems and protein transitions Risk perception and mitigation strategies Cross-cultural consumer behavior analysis Policy frameworks for environmental sustainability Recent Articles: Explore themes like anti-science beliefs, EU consumer awareness, and cultural barriers to meat reduction. These studies highlight synergies between gender equality and environmental goals, and political dynamics in climate policy. Grants & Advising: Supervised four doctoral theses and contributed to the SENSE Research School (1995-2000). Active in editorial roles (e.g., Journal of Environmental Psychology ) and public lectures on food sustainability. Labs/Teams: Collaborates within the Institute for Environmental Studies, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges.
Eugen Popa is an Assistant Professor at Delft University of Technology, specializing in the Ethics and Technology domain. His research focuses on Responsible Research and Innovation , Technological Governance , and Argumentation Theory , with an emphasis on socio-ethical implications of emerging technologies. Educational Leadership: Involved in 4TU.Ethics education programs and the MSc in Philosophy, Science, Technology & Society (PSTS). Research Themes: Explores value conflicts, quadruple helix collaborations, digital twin ethics, and technological pluralism. Publications highlight trends in responsible innovation, socio-ethical risks of technologies (e.g., digital twins, artificial photosynthesis), and governance frameworks addressing deep disagreements. His work bridges academic rigor with practical applications in start-up ethics and energy transitions. Contact: Email O.E.Popa@tudelft.nl for collaborations or inquiries.
Dr. Natalia Petrovskaia is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University's Department of Languages, Literature and Communication , specializing in Celtic Studies within the Humanities faculty. She serves as Program Coordinator for the BA in Celtic Languages and Culture Domain Coordinator for the Humanities Honours Programme Board Member of the Utrecht University Centre for Medieval Studies Having earned her PhD at the University of Cambridge and held a Clare Hall Research Fellowship (2012-14), she later received a Humboldt Research Fellowship (2016) at Philipps-Universität Marburg. Her research focuses on Medieval geographical traditions Textual translation/transmission Arthurian literature Encyclopedic knowledge systems Reception studies History of the book Her recent publications include monographs like Transforming Europe (2025) analyzing Imago mundi translations, and The Modern Afterlives of Old Irish Travel Narratives (2025) exploring connections between Star Trek and medieval Irish texts. She contributes to Queeste as a reviews editor and organizes public engagement events like 'Cracking the Celtic Code' at the Weekend of Science. Scientific Awards : NWO Veni Award (2016) Arthurian Essay Prize (2021) Global Engagement Fund Award (2025) She supervises the PhD project 'Empowering Individuals, Opening Cities' with Arnoud Visser and Rozanne Verdendaal, and teaches courses ranging from Old Irish to Media and Persuasion in Premodern Europe .
M. Theune is an Assistant Professor at the Human Media Interaction (EEMCS-CS-HMI) group within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Twente. Specializing in Natural Language Processing and Human-Computer Interaction, their research focuses on embodied conversational agents, interactive digital storytelling, and educational technology applications. Expertise: Conversational Agents, Virtual Humans, Natural Language Generation, Serious Games, Human-Media Interaction Key Projects: Research on lexical alignment in AI interactions, bias mitigation strategies, self-disclosure mechanisms in voicebots, and immersive learning technologies Research Trends Theune's recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on lexical alignment in human-agent conversations, with applications in large language models (GPT-3.5/GPT-4), confirmation bias mitigation , and trust dynamics . Their work bridges dialogue system design with psychological modeling , particularly in educational contexts and multi-user interaction scenarios. Scientific Contributions: Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) grant (2003) for language/gesture generation in embodied agents Co-developer of systems like BLISS (spoken dialogue dataset), Data2Game (integrated demonstrator), and ExpReal (narrative authoring tools)
