Eric van der Beek

Eric van der Beek is a research assistant in media education at the University of Hamburg, affiliated with the Faculty of Education and the Department of General, Intercultural and International Comparative Education and Educational Psychology (EW 1). He holds a Master's in Children's and Youth Media and is a state-recognized social worker. His work bridges academic research and practical media education, with a focus on youth in rural contexts.

• Education: MA in Children's and Youth Media (University of Erfurt), BA in Social Work (HAWK)
• Professional Recognition: State-certified social worker (North Rhine-Westphalia)

His research explores digital media's role in youth development, particularly smartphone use in rural areas, media socialization, and digital inclusion. He employs qualitative-reconstructive methods and grounded theory. His doctoral project investigates youth, digital media, and rural life under the DIALOG research focus at HAWK.

The publication trends show a consistent focus on media education, youth, rural spaces, and digital participation. Key themes include media appropriation, crisis representation (e.g., migration), political opinion formation in social media, and hybrid social spaces. His work spans academic journals like merz, edited volumes, and practical handbooks.

• Escape in the Media. Working Tools – Handbook – Method Kits (2021)
• Flight as a Crisis? Media Crisis Representation, Media Use, and Coping by Adolescents (2021)
• Politische Meinungsbildung Jugendlicher in sozialen Medien (2020)
• Jugendliche, Smartphones und ländliche Räume (2018)

Eric van der Beek teaches at multiple universities, including the University of Hamburg, Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena, and Hochschule München. He has secured research funding through institutional scholarships and project-based roles, such as at the JFF Institute. He also works as a freelance media educator and speaker, delivering workshops and training for professionals.

He is actively involved in research projects on digitalization in education and has presented at numerous national and international conferences, including DGPuK and international migration conferences. His work contributes significantly to understanding how young people navigate mediatized social spaces, especially in rural and peripheral regions.