Rasmus Helles

Rasmus Helles is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Humanities. His academic career spans over a decade at the university, where he has progressed from Assistant Professor (2009-2012) to his current position as Associate Professor since 2012. He holds a PhD (2009) and MA (2005) in Media Studies, both from the University of Copenhagen.

His primary research interests focus on digital media and communication, media sociology with special emphasis on digital media, and media policy and regulation. His current research centers around the 'Privacy Lost' project, which investigates the development of commercial surveillance of web users globally. Previously, he co-led 'The Peoples' Internet' project examining internet development across the US, Europe, and China. He is a member of the Center for Tracking and Society and has participated in multiple significant research projects including 'The mediatization of culture' and 'MeCetes' on European television fiction exchange.

His publication trends reveal a consistent focus on digital transformation, surveillance infrastructure, and comparative media studies. Recent work shows increasing emphasis on tracking technologies, commercial surveillance systems, and the cultural consequences of digital platforms. His research spans both theoretical and empirical approaches, with strong methodological rigor in analyzing digital communication phenomena.

Helles has served in important public roles including as research representative in the Media Council for Children and Young People (2019-2023) and as a member of the Book Panel under the Ministry of Culture (2019-2022). His work has received funding from prestigious sources including the Villum Foundation, Carlsberg Foundation, and Danish Council for Independent Research.

His teaching covers a broad range of digital media topics at BA, MA, and PhD levels, with specializations in big data analysis, media and communication theory, digital transformation of legacy media, media use studies, media sociology, and media regulation. He has extensive experience supervising students across these domains and participates actively in academic service through editorial work and peer review.