Benjamin De Cleen

Benjamin De Cleen is a Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), affiliated with the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences and the ECHO Research Group. He specializes in discourse theory, populism, nationalism, and far-right political communication. His work examines how far-right parties construct 'the people' and 'the elite' through discursive strategies, with a focus on Flemish politics, media dynamics, and transnational movements. He leads major research projects on topics like gender politics in far-right engagement, migration discourse, and pseudo-journalistic communication. Notable contributions include analyzing the Vlaams Belang's use of farmer symbolism and the interplay of nationalism and populism.

De Cleen has been awarded the Political Studies Harrison Prize (2025) and has extensive media engagement, including interviews on digital culture, populism, and far-right strategies. His research spans over 127 publications, with recent work emphasizing rural politics, transnational far-right networks, and the role of discourse in shaping political realities.