Media scholar Professor José van Dijck, advisory board member of the Centre for Digital Humanities, has been awarded a NWO Spinoza Prize of 2.5 million euros. The Spinoza Prize is the highest scientific distinction in the Netherlands. Van Dijck is University Professor of Media and Digital Society and is a top player in the international field of media studies. In her research, Van Dijck demonstrates the need to critically examine the influence of digital platforms, data and algorithms on our democracy.
According to the selection committee, her insights help to understand the social impact of new media and to open the discussion on public values in the platform society. The Spinoza Committee emphasises the impact of her work on society. She regularly provides expert advice on digital policy for politicians, for example on the Corona apps or the future of our media landscape.