International Guest Professor at Demicom
Christian Burgers is a well-known researcher in strategic communication. Since September 1, 2025, Christian Burgers has been a guest professor at Demicom.
At the University of Amsterdam, Christian has spent many years studying how linguistic choices—such as metaphors, irony, and exaggeration—affect how people interpret messages. His research shows that word choice is not merely a stylistic detail but a powerful tool that shapes public opinion and political discourse.
Tell us about your research!
I am a Full Professor of Communication and Organisations at the University of Amsterdam. My current research focuses on language in strategic communication with a particular focus on how communication impacts societal trust. My previous research has focused on the relation between language, strategic communication and trust in three topics: (a) figurative framing, (b) linguistic bias, and (c) satirical news. In my research on figurative framing, I show how figuration (metaphor, hyperbole, irony) is crucial for communication about societal issues. My research on linguistic bias demonstrates how language subtly communicates and maintains stereotypic and group expectations, even when these are demonstrably false. My research on news satire demonstrated how, across different media (e.g., TV, online), language use in satire differed from “regular” genres like political news and entertainment, and when and how different types of satire affected its audience.
I now bring these research lines together in my research on mis- and disinformation. I investigate when and how misinformation affects citizens and organizations, and how misinformation should be countered. In 2026, several projects will start that address these themes through a team-science approach. Together with my UvA colleagues dr. Toni van der Meer and dr. Alexandra Schwinges, I will investigate which citizen groups are most vulnerable to misinformation and how their resilience to counter misinformation can be increased. I will also be involved in several consortia. Together with my UvA colleagues prof. dr. Jessica Piotrowski and prof. dr. Guda van Noort, I will lead the AuthentiMark consortium that will investigate use and implementation of digital watermarking technology to authenticate online content and distinguish genuine content from impersonation. In this project, we join forces with experts from policy and practice to develop a scalable solution that makes reliable digital sources recognizable: from government and healthcare to the financial sector. In addition, I am part of the DeMoCraft consortium (which is led by prof. dr. Leonie Heres from VU Amsterdam) in which we investigate which factors help and hinder the development of democratic moral craftmanship among politicians and administrators. In this project, we collaborate with five universities, two universities of applied sciences, and as many as 27 societal partners.
What made you choose to work with Demicom?
The research of the Demicom group aligns very well with my own research interests. I will closely collaborate with dr. Sara Ödmark whose research on news satire connects very well to my own research on this topic. In addition, Demicom’s approach to studying democracy and communication from the perspectives of organizational communication, journalism studies and political communication aligns well with my own approach tot his crucial research topic.
Will we see you on campus in the near future?
Certainly! In the last semester, I visited Demicom twice for a week-long stay, and I will return for a third visit in the Spring. I am already looking forward to it.
What are your expectations for this collaboration?
We will set up joint projects and conduct research together. Some first data have already been collected, and we hope to be able to share some first results soon. Furthermore, it is always an enriching experience to be immersed in a different academic culture. Prof. dr. Jonas Harvard and the other members of the Demicom group have provided me with a warm welcome, which has led to a great and constructive start of our collaboration.
Finally, what do you enjoy doing when you are not engaged in research and teaching?
I am an avid reader, enjoy cooking and love to be outdoors for biking trips and hikes. Sundsvall is an excellent place to engage in these activities.
With Christian Burgers as a guest professor, DEMICOM gains an international voice in the effort to understand and develop democratic communication. His research demonstrates that words matter—and that language is one of democracy’s most important building blocks.