Annelien Smets

Dr. Annelien Smets is a Research Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Department of Communication Sciences within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Solvay Business School. She specializes in media economics, digital business models, and teaches in BSc and MSc programs. Her research focuses on recommender systems, media markets, and digital innovation, particularly in smart cities and serendipity design. She leads the FWO-funded 'Serendipity Engine' project and heads Track 1 of the Strategic Research Programme on media economics. Smets holds a PhD in Media and Communication Studies and a Master's in Artificial Intelligence. She has authored over 36 publications and received multiple awards, including the Women in RecSys Journal Paper of the Year (2023). Her work bridges academia and industry, with projects addressing algorithmic systems' societal impacts.

• Education: PhD in Media and Communication Studies, Master's in Artificial Intelligence (Speech & Language Tech).
• Research Units: imec-SMIT, Media Economics & Policy unit.

Research Interests: Recommender systems, digital economics, serendipity, smart cities, and platform urbanism. Recent work explores ethical AI explanations and serendipity in urban experiences.

Awards:

• Outstanding Reviewer Award (2023, 2024)
• Women in RecSys Journal Paper of the Year (2023)

Grants/Projects:

• FWO SBO 'Serendipity Engine' (2022–2026)
• SRP on media economics (2022–2027)
• SHALGO valorisation programme (2024–2028)

Labs/Teams: Principal investigator at imec-SMIT, leading the recommender systems team. Collaborates across disciplines in urban tech and media economics.