Mathilde Sanders

Dr. Mathilde Sanders is a postdoctoral researcher at Utrecht University's Department of Media and Culture Studies within the Humanities faculty. She works on projects related to the Governing the Digital Society focus area, including research funded by the 2021 Spinoza Prize awarded to Prof.dr. José van Dijck. Sanders is also involved with PublicSpaces, a coalition of public organizations in media and culture developing responsible digital tools based on public values such as privacy and transparency.

Her research centers on governance design of non-profit, decentralized, open source social network alternatives. Key interests include media organizations, ownership structures, public value creation, open source software, decentralized platforms, and transparency for platform users. She explores how alternative social media platforms can better serve public values compared to commercial options, with particular attention to content moderation systems and organizational choices that impact digital sovereignty.

Analysis of her recent publications shows a consistent trajectory examining ownership models and value creation in digital media ecosystems. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks from strategic management with practical applications in digital platform governance, with increasing focus on decentralized architectures and their implications for public discourse. She frequently collaborates with leading scholars in media studies and digital governance.

While no specific scientific awards are listed in the provided materials, her work on the Spinoza Prize-related project indicates recognition within her field. Her 2023 media contribution regarding DPG's expansion with RTL Nederland demonstrates her role as an expert commentator on media industry developments.

As a postdoctoral researcher, Sanders works within Utrecht University's Institute for Cultural Inquiry, specifically in the Media and Performance Studies group. Her research contributes to the university's strategic focus on digital society governance, collaborating with institutions including Radboud University Nijmegen through the PublicSpaces initiative. She previously held research positions at Rathenau Instituut, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Utrecht's Journalism school.