Dr M. Kleemans (Mariska)

Mariska is an Assistant Professor in the Behavioural Science Institute. Her research aims to investigate how the bond between children and the news can be improved, in order to prepare them for their (future) role in society. In her research, she collaborates with professional organizations such as the Dutch Child TV news program 'Het Jeugdjournaal'. She studies how children and adolescents can become more involved with news and how news can inspire them to contribute to society. An important part of her research focuses on the question how news producers should present negative news to children. She also investigates how young news consumers can become more news literate, for instance by investigating how effective (news)media literacy programs are. She is part of the advisory board of the 'Nationaal Mediapaspoort'.

Moreover, she is chair of the study program of Communication Science (Bachelor) and is involved in several teaching and organizational activities within the department of Communication Science. Students honored her with the 'teacher of the year award' in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. In december 2016, she received the senior teaching award from the faculty of social sciences. Radboud University honored her with the 2017 University Education Award for best senior lecturer.