Research projects
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Media Representation and Young People
While growing up and figuring out who they are, young people often turn to entertainment media - both consciously and unconsciously. Seeing yourself reflected in entertainment media can provide feelings of pride, belonging, inspiration and information, thereby supporting the process of identity development. However, for some young people, it is easier to find these reflections of themselves than for others. This research line examines to what extent Dutch young people with different identity characteristics can find role models in Dutch and international media. And how social media may offer alternative means to connect with role models similar to them. Ultimately, we aim to contribute to actionable insights into the importance of authentic representation for youth to learning about the self, others and the world around them. In addition, the studies will reflect on Dutch young people's wishes for media content and storylines. This line of research is in collaboration with Dr Sindy Sumter and Dr. Irene van Driel
The Internet has transformed the lives of billions, encompassing social, economic, political, and cultural realms. Despite considerable focus on misinformation and bias, a critical yet under-explored issue persists – that of ‘information invisibility’. On one hand, the problem of invisible information stems from the very nature of explicitly ‘ranked’ information on media platforms (search results, social media feeds, news headlines, to name a few), a ranking determined for us (and not by us) through platforms built to maximise engagement. On the other hand, as humans constantly facing information overloads, our limited mental capacities leave us with little choice but to consume the tip of these pre-ranked information icebergs. This phenomenon operates globally, potentially rendering a majority of digital human knowledge as invisible. The (In)visible research group tackles this challenge by aiming to both dynamically measure and boost invisible information, providing insights into the extent of knowledge that remains unseen in our digital lives. This line of research is in collaboration with Dr. Saurabh Khanna, Dr. Olga Eisele, Dr. Britta Brugman, Dr. Sandra Jacobs, Dr. Corine Meppelink, Dr. Lauren Taylor, and Dr. Marina Tulin.
Billedo, C. J., Kerkhof, P., & Finkenauer, C. (2020). Facebook intensity, social network support, stability and satisfaction in long-distance and geographically-close romantic relationships: A test of a mediation model. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 14(2), Article 5.