معرفی
Dr. Patrick van Erkel is an Assistant Professor at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. His research focuses on political polarization, electoral behavior, political knowledge, public opinion dynamics, and the impact of disinformation in democratic societies. He investigates how social media influences political information consumption and polarization, particularly in multi-party systems. His work also examines the effectiveness of news literacy interventions and fact-checking strategies against misinformation. Dr. van Erkel's recent studies explore the psychological underpinnings of political radicalization, the role of media bias perceptions, and the consequences of political violence on public sentiment. He has conducted large-scale comparative research across Europe and globally, addressing topics like misinformation during crises, voter decision-making processes, and institutional trust.
His research employs experimental designs, survey methodologies, and longitudinal data analysis. Notable projects include studies on affective polarization in Belgium and the Netherlands, the impact of personalized political campaigns, and the cognitive mechanisms behind conspiracy theory engagement. Dr. van Erkel collaborates with international research networks and has contributed to policy discussions on media literacy and electoral integrity.
Key themes in his work include:
- Evaluating the societal consequences of digital misinformation ecosystems
- Analyzing voter psychology in polarized environments
- Assessing the efficacy of counter-misinformation strategies
- Examining cross-cultural differences in media trust and political communication
His 2023-2025 publications emphasize experimental approaches to understanding how media consumption patterns, political violence events, and institutional trust interact to shape democratic processes. Ongoing projects investigate the role of consent design in GDPR compliance and the psychological drivers of fact-check engagement during geopolitical crises.
