I am an Assistant Professor in Communication Sciences and Digitalisation at the School of Social Sciences. I obtained my PhD in Communication Sciences at Ghent University, after which I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University and KU Leuven until I joined Hasselt University in 2025.
My work investigates the relationship between (digital) media and political engagement, and the specific interplay between news media, social media platforms, political institutions and citizens. Through my research, I have developed expertise in youth and news consumption, political participation and socialisation, political knowledge formation, digital activism, and citizenship norms. Theoretically, I draw on traditions in Political Communication, Journalism Studies, and Audience Research. I am a member of the international CamforS network, which investigates political social media campaigning in Europe, and was involved in the iBOF project POLKNOW (2023-2026), where I studied the role of youth’s social media use in political knowledge and participation.
I currently teach courses in communication science theory, digital research methods, digitalisation in civil society, and grand challenges in democracy. I also coordinate bachelor theses, educational innovation efforts, and the research methods track of the School.
I take an active role in science communication and outreach, regularly sharing my expertise in the news media and supporting societal organizations through invited lectures and workshops on social media, youth, political engagement, civil society, and media literacy.