Michiel Rovers

Junior Researcher

I got interested in the effects of mass media on the behavior of people during the studies health sciences (at Maastricht University) and communication science (at Radboud University Nijmegen). After graduating both studies, I worked at a youth organization in Arnhem. The main purpose of this organization was to involve young people in youth policy, and get them interested in politics through online (social media) and offline techniques (hiphopbattles and debateclinics). Because of my preference for field research I made the switch to IVA, an institute for research at Tilburg University. I analyzed the needs amongst (young) citizens on several areas: cultural, political and educational. To collect my results, I used qualitative ((group)interviews and focusgroups), and quantitative research methods (questionnaires and surveys). The results were used by governments, companies and other organizations to create and/or evaluate policy.

I currently work as a junior researcher at the faculty of Communication and Journalism Utrecht (Hogeschool Utrecht). My job mainly consists of doing research for the Research Group Crossmedia Content, Business Models and Policy New Media. My main research topics are social media, cross media and organizing participation among audiences. From September on I’ll also work as a lecturer for the study communication and multimedia design. 

In my personal life I’m actively and passively involved in politics, sports and music. I enjoy going to concerts and festivals, riding my racebike, playing tennis and following politicians on twitter during the electioncampaign.