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ASCoR researcher Emma van der Goot has been awarded the Rubicon Grant 2025 from NWO and ZonMw for the project “Between criticism and complicity: how should journalists cover the uncivilized and misleading speeches of politicians?”.

Her research project, titled “Between criticism and complicity: how should journalists cover the uncivilized and misleading speeches of politicians?”, will be hosted at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden for 18 months.

The project investigates how journalists deal with the dilemma of politicians increasingly violating democratic norms through disrespectful behaviour and the spread of misinformation. Although such actions are clearly newsworthy, reporting on them can unintentionally contribute to the normalization of norm-violating behaviour. This project further examines how journalists navigate this challenge, whether they (un)consciously treat parties differently, and how their coverage affects citizens.

About Rubicon Grants

Research experience abroad is usually a vital aspect of building a career in academia. Rubicon allows talented scientists and academics who recently obtained their PhD in the Kingdom of the Netherlands to gain experience at a foreign research institution for a period of 1–2 years. This increases their chances of continuing in academia.

The Rubicon program is directed at promising new postdoctoral researchers who are still at the beginning of their academic careers, but whose qualities show potential to become established researchers in the scientific and academic landscape of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Rubicon is part of the NWO/ZonMw Talent Line.

The full list of researchers awarded Rubicon Grants 2025 (Round 1).

Dr E.S. (Emma) van der Goot

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

CW : Political Communication & Journalism