Jakob Bæk Kristensen

Jakob Bæk Kristensen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Arts at Roskilde University (RUC), specializing in Digital Democracy, Media Trust, and Journalism studies. His work focuses on audiences, mediated life, and the intersection of digital technologies with democratic processes. He currently participates in three major research projects: AlterUse (Digital Alternative News Use in Denmark), AlterPublics (Alternative Media and Ideological Counterpublics), and a pedagogical initiative on student empowerment at RUC.

His research explores topics such as discursive polarization on alternative platforms, Russian state-backed media influence, and the role of counterpublics in digital spaces. Recent work includes the 2024 Danish Digital Democracy Index and analyses of RT/Sputnik content dissemination across European alternative news environments. He has contributed to peer-reviewed journals like Comunicazione politica and NORDICOM Review, with a focus on empirical and cross-national studies.

• Projects:
  • AlterUse (2023–2027): Investigates use of alternative news platforms in Denmark
  • AlterPublics (2021–2026): Examines ideological counterpublics and alternative media
• Media Engagement: Featured in 35+ media pieces discussing Russian propaganda in Danish media landscapes, including analyses of pro-Israel advertisements and Russian-funded influencers.
• Labs/Teams: Associated with the Centre for Digital Citizenship, focusing on digital participation and citizenship.