معرفی
Steven Eggermont is a full Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Social Sciences, where he also serves as Dean. He leads the Faculty Centres of the Faculty of Social Sciences and is affiliated with the Lab for Media Psychology. Additionally, he is a member of DigiSoc – KU Leuven Institute for Digital Society and LC&Y - KU Leuven Institute for Child and Youth.
His research focuses on adolescent media psychology, with particular emphasis on body image, identity formation, gender attitudes, and the effects of social media and pornography on adolescent development. His work explores how media exposure influences adolescents' self-perception, emotional well-being, and social behaviors through longitudinal and experimental approaches. His studies frequently examine the nuanced relationship between media consumption and psychological outcomes, including both potential risks and empowering aspects of media exposure.
Recent publications reveal a strong focus on the intersection of identity, body image, and media exposure in adolescents and emerging adults. His research examines how adolescents process media content related to gender stereotypes, appearance ideals, and success narratives, and how these processes affect their psychological development. His work also investigates the complex relationship between exposure to sexually explicit material and subsequent sexual behaviors and attitudes, with recent studies exploring both potential negative consequences and possible emancipatory effects.
As Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Eggermont holds multiple leadership positions including membership in the University Council, Academic Council, and Special Academic Council. He also chairs the Faculty Council of Social Sciences and serves on various educational quality boards and diversity councils.
His current research portfolio includes several major projects running through 2028, examining pornography use among adolescents, digital well-being strategies, media processing of incidental social media content, and the relationship between media experiences and emotional well-being in adolescents. These projects demonstrate his commitment to understanding both potential risks and empowering aspects of media exposure for young people.
Eggermont leads the Lab for Media Psychology, which investigates how media content affects adolescents' development across multiple domains including identity formation, body image, gender attitudes, and emotional well-being. His team employs diverse methodologies including longitudinal studies, experimental designs, and content analyses to unravel the complex relationships between media exposure and adolescent development.
