Peter Kerkhof

Prof. Dr. Peter Kerkhof is a Full Professor of Social Media at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Department of Communication Science and serves as Vice Dean of Education at the Faculty of Social Sciences. He holds a PhD (1997) in Social Psychology from VU Amsterdam. His research focuses on social media's impact on organizational and individual interactions, emphasizing how online environments shape perceptions of brands, policies, and health behaviors. He has held key administrative roles, including Chair of Communication Science (2010–2018) and membership in the Kansspelauthoriteit advisory board.

• Education: PhD in Social Psychology (VU Amsterdam, 1997)
• Administrative Roles: Vice Dean of Education, Chair of Communication Science, Faculty Board Member

His research spans social media's role in health communication (e.g., blood donation campaigns), psychological effects of FOMO, and corporate reputation management. He has published in journals like Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication and Human Communication Research. Awards include the Best Faculty Paper in Public Relations (2016) and the Bob Heath Award (2015).

Recent articles explore topics like blood donation engagement via Facebook, longitudinal studies on FOMO and well-being, and patient support groups on social media. His work bridges communication science with practical applications in health, marketing, and digital ethics.

• Scientific Awards: Best Faculty Paper in Public Relations (2016), Bob Heath Award (2015)
• Grants/Activities: Supervised 11 PhD theses, engaged in media outreach (e.g., commentary on social media trends)

He is affiliated with the Network Institute and the Communication Choices, Content and Consequences (CCCC) research group, contributing to interdisciplinary projects on digital communication and societal resilience.