Strategic Communication
Strategic Communication, together with chairholder Rens Vliegenthart, studies the dynamics and consequences of communication by (digital) media, political actors, organizations and citizens. Focusing on the processes through which public images, discourses, opinions and behaviour come about and have a keen interest in communication challenges related to life science issues such as climate change, sustainability and health.
Our research
The strategic communication group investigates the role of communication in a high-choice, digitalised information environment. It has a key interest in societal issues and challenges in the realm of life sciences, such as climate, biodiversity, health, and food security and with a special focus on citizen engagement and (political) participation.
Our research relates to, and integrates four key themes:
- Sustainability communication
- Science communication
- Digitalisation and society
- Polarisation and dialogue
Education
Education by Strategic Communication
Our courses, including theses and internships, can be followed separately, or as structured part of various educational programmes. Our professors and lecturers supervise many students during their internship, thesis, and PhD projects as well.
Publications & Projects
We conduct research to fundamentally understand the use, content, and effects of communication. We want to use this knowledge to have an impact on and change society for the better. This implies that we engage with multiple societal and policy actors during and after our research, with the aim to contribute to a more just, sustainable and equitable society. We devote substantial effort to the valorisation of our findings.
Highlighted publications
- An asymmetrical reinforcing spiral? Disentangling the longitudinal dynamics of media use and mainstream media trust
- Breaking free from linear assumptions: Unravelling the relationship between affective polarization and democratic support
- Discourse, framing and narrative: three ways of doing critical, interpretive policy analysis
Chair Holder
Rens Vliegenthart has been professor and chair holder of Strategic Communication at WUR since July 2022. research focuses on media content and effects, both on citizens and public opinion, as well as on politicians and political decision-making. Rens is specialized in (computer-based) content analysis and time series analysis.
prof.dr. R (Rens) Vliegenthart
Professor / Chairholder
People of Strategic Communication
Each chair group of Wageningen University & Research, under leadership of a professor, has its own area of expertise. Meet the people of Strategic Communication
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