The Executive Board of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has appointed political communication scientist Mariken van der Velden as University Chair of Politics & Media.
With this appointment, VU Amsterdam is investing in research into one of the most pressing social issues of our time: how can we strengthen the resilience of democracy in a society that is increasingly influenced by digital media, polarization, and rapid flows of information?
Mariken van der Velden investigates how political information is created, disseminated, and interpreted by citizens. Her work brings together different worlds: those of politics, media, technology, and citizens. By better understanding these connections, she aims to contribute to a society in which people are better informed, have greater trust in democratic processes, and can deal with differences of opinion more constructively.
“A democracy only functions when people have access to reliable information and feel heard in the public debate,” says Van der Velden. “At the same time, we see that social issues are becoming increasingly complex and that people process information in very different ways. My research focuses on how communication can better accommodate those differences, so that more people can participate in the democratic conversation.”
Research on Democratic Resilience
In the coming years, Van der Velden will investigate how governments, the media, and civil society organizations can communicate more effectively with different groups of citizens. Central to this is the concept of “communicative alignment”: which forms of communication work for which groups, and under what circumstances?
Rather than assuming there is a one-size-fits-all solution, she is investigating how different communication strategies can contribute to greater understanding, trust, and social connection. This knowledge can be applied to issues surrounding polarization, elections, public services, and civic participation.
The research combines insights from communication studies, political science, and data science. Van der Velden uses innovative methods, including experiments, large-scale surveys, and analyses of political and public communication.
From Science to Practice
A key feature of her work is her close collaboration with societal partners. Van der Velden has previously collaborated with government ministries, media organizations, parliamentary investigative committees, and civil society organizations. This collaboration ensures that scientific insights can be directly applied in practice, while societal issues simultaneously generate new research questions.
Within her new chair, she aims to build a national knowledge center for democratic resilience. This center will translate scientific knowledge into practical tools for policymakers, journalists, civil society organizations, and other professionals working to foster a healthy democratic society.
Inclusive Innovation
In addition to her research on democracy, Van der Velden is committed to promoting inclusivity within academia. She investigates how digital research methods can be made more accessible to a broader group of researchers and students. In doing so, she contributes to a scientific community where talent can flourish to its fullest potential, regardless of background or experience.
In line with VU’s social mission
The appointment aligns with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s ambition to use scientific research to address societal issues. Democratic resilience is one of the major challenges of our time. By linking research to practice and policy, the VU aims to contribute to a society in which citizens, institutions, and the media are better equipped to deal with social differences and complex issues.