Dr. C.W. (Christel) van Eck
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Communication, Organizations and Society
Area of expertise: Climate change communication, Science communication, Climate change polarisation, Climate activism and scepticism, Online media, Climate change conversations, Values, Energy transition
Visiting address
- Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
Postal address
-
Postbus 15791
1001 NG Amsterdam
Contact details
-
Profile
Christel W. van Eck is an Assistant Professor at the Amsterdam School of Communication Research. Her main research interests include climate change communication, science communication, and polarization. Supported by an NWO Veni grant, Christel currently focuses on the boundaries of climate activism by scientists.
She also investigates the role of online media in climate change polarization processes, building upon her PhD Research at Wageningen University (NWO Research Talent grant). Further, Christel analyzes communication, polarization, and deliberation practices in the Dutch Energietransitie.
Next to her research activities, Christel is passionate about communicating her research beyond academia. She regularly gives workshops and presentations in which she tries to bridge the science and practice of climate change communication. She serves as an Advisory Board Member for the KlimaatHelpdesk.
Expertise and research fields
- Climate change communication
- Science communication
- Climate change polarization
- Climate activism and scepticism
- Online media
- Climate change conversations
- Values
- Energy transition
-
Research
Reseach methods
- Mixed methods
- Interviews and focus group discussions
- Discourse analysis
Research grants & honours
- NWO Research Talent
- NWO Veni
Research priority area (involved in)
- Polarization
- Emotion
- Sustainability
-
Teaching
Courses
- Climate Change Communication
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Communication
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Thesis Communication
-
Publications
- refereed (17)
- professional (3)
- popular scientific (2)
- conference contributions (6)
- recognitions (57)
- doctoral thesis (1)
- datasets (3)
2025
Messling, L., Lu, Y., & van Eck, C. W. (2025). Advocacy – defending science or destroying it? Interviews with 47 climate scientists about their fundamental concerns. Public Understanding of Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625251314164- van Burgsteden, L., & van Eck, C. W. (2025). Conversational polarization: 8 key considerations for communication scientists. Science Communication. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470251314726
- van Eck, C. W., & van der Meer, T. G. L. A. (2025). Narratives of Hope and Concern? Examining the Impact of Climate Scientists’ Communication on Credibility and Engagement. Public Understanding of Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625251314159
- van Eck, C. W., Roozenbeek, J., Stevens, T., & Dewulf, A. (2025). Platform cultures and emotional communication about climate change: A comparison of affective language in the climate change blogosphere and on Twitter. International Journal of Communication, 19, 26-46. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/20076
- van Eck, C. W., Wonneberger, A., Jonkman, J., & Burgers, C. (2025). ‘Climate-solutions polarization’: A value-based approach to understanding polarization dynamics around biomass in Dutch media discourse. Environmental Communication, 19(2), 179-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2024.2376688 [details]
2024
- Pröpper, H. Y. L., van Eck, C. W., & Bakker, B. N. (2024). Climate change conversations amongst young adults: On conversational safety and the search for consensus in polarizing interactions. Environmental Communication. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2024.2429880
- Wonneberger, A., Kroon, A., van den Heijkant, L., van Eck, C., & Jonkman, J. (2024). Contested Issues and Organisations: Media Debates about Sustainability and Diversity. In T. Araujo, & P. Neijens (Eds.), Communication Research into the Digital Society: Fundamental Insights from the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (pp. 139-154). Amsterdam University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.11895525.11, https://doi.org/10.1515/9789048560608-009 [details]
- van Eck, C. W. (2024). Opposing positions, dividing interactions, and hostile affect: A systematic review and conceptualization of"online climate change polarization". Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Climate Change, 15(6), Article e906. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.906 [details]
- van Eck, C. W., Messling, L., & Hayhoe, K. (2024). Challenging the neutrality myth in climate science and activism. npj Climate Action, 3, Article 81. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-024-00171-9 [details]
2023
- van Eck, C. W. (2023). The next generation of climate scientists as science communicators. Public Understanding of Science, 32(8), 969-984. https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625231176382 [details]
2021
- van Eck, C. W., & Feindt, P. H. (2021). Parallel routes from Copenhagen to Paris: Climate discourse in climate sceptic and climate activist blogs. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2021.2000376
- van Eck, C. W., Mulder, B., & van der Linden, S. (2021). Echo Chamber Effects in the Climate Change Blogosphere. Environmental Communication, 15, 145-152. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2020.1861048
2020
- van Eck, C. W., Mulder, B., & Dewulf, A. (2020). Online climate change polarization: Interactional Framing Analysis of Climate Change Blog Comments. Science Communication, 42, 454-480. https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470209422
- van Eck, C. W., Mulder, B., & van der Linden, S. (2020). Climate Change Risk Perceptions of Audiences in the Climate Change Blogosphere. Sustainability, 12, Article 7990. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197990
2019
- van Eck, C. W., Mulder, B., & Dewulf, A. (2019). "The truth is not in the middle": Journalistic norms of climate change bloggers. Global Environmental Change, 59, Article 101989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2019.101989
2016
- van Eck, C. W. (2016). Drawing Boundaries: Boundary Arrangements of the IPCC Working Groups. Glocality, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/GLO.4
2015
- van Eck, C. W. (2015). Audiences at the Heart of the IPCC: Exploratory Research Into the IPCC’s Communications. Student Undergraduate Research e-Journal, 1. https://doi.org/10.25609/sure.v1.1039
2024
- Pröpper, H., Bakker, B., & van Eck, C. (2024). Laat klimaatpolarisatie niet je kerst verpesten: drie technieken voor een constructief gesprek. Web publication or website, Stuk Rood Vlees. https://stukroodvlees.nl/laat-klimaatpolarisatie-niet-je-kerst-verpesten-drie-technieken-voor-een-constructief-gesprek/ [details]
2016
- van Eck, C. (2016). Scepsis, idealen en realiteit: 10 Nederlanders over klimaatverandering. (ClimateContact-Consultancy). ClimateContact-Consultancy.
2014
- Corner, A., & van Eck, C. (2014). Science & Stories: Bringing the IPCC to Life. Climate Outreach.
2016
- van Eck, C. (Author). (2016). Guest Blog: Talking past each other – Blog discourse of climate change campaigners & skeptics. Web publication or website, Climate Outreach. https://climateoutreach.org/guest-blog-talking-past-each-other/
- van Eck, C. W., & Meyer, L. (2016). Van klimaatscepsis naar klimaatidealisme. Change Magazine.
2024
- Jonkman, J. G. F., Burgers, C. F., van Eck, C. W., & Wonneberger, A. (2024). Five citizen segments in the Dutch energy transition: Cross-segment variation in knowledge, media use, participation, trust, and support. Abstract from ECREA, Ljubljana.
2023
- Jonkman, J. G. F., van Eck, C. W., & Burgers, C. F. (2023). More or less optimistic: Citizen perspectives on the Dutch energy transition in five different audience segments. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap.
- Wonneberger, A., van Eck, C. W., Jonkman, J. G. F., & Burgers, C. F. (2023). From slaughtering trees to the complexities of renewable energy: Biomass discourses in the Netherlands. Abstract from Conference on Communication and Environment, Harrisonburg, VA, United States.
- Wonneberger, A., van Eck, C. W., Jonkman, J. G. F., & Burgers, C. F. (2023). From slaughtering trees to the complexities of renewable energy: Biomass discourses in the Netherlands. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Enschede.
- van Eck, C. W., Wonneberger, A., Jonkman, J. G. F., & Burgers, C. F. (2023). From slaughtering trees to the complexities of renewable energy: Biomass discourses in the Netherlands. Abstract from International Communication Association Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
2020
- van Eck, C. W. (2020). Climate change risk perceptions in the climate change blogosphere. Abstract from 18th Swiss Geoscience Meeting, Zurich, Switzerland. https://geoscience-meeting.ch/sgm2020/christel-van-eck-has-submitted-an-abstract/
Prize / grant
- Jonkman, J., Burgers, C., van Eck, C. & Wonneberger, A. (2024). Best Abstract Award Science and Environment Communication division, ECREA 2024.
- van Eck, C. (2023). Environmental Communication Dissertation Award.
- van Eck, C. (2023). Distinguished Women Scientists Fund.
- van Eck, C. (2023). Veni.
- van Eck, C. (2020). Nomination for best teacher award.
- van Eck, C. (2017). NWO Research Talent Grant.
- van Eck, C. (2017). Duurzame Jonge 100.
- van Eck, C. (2015). Nomination for best bachelor thesis of the Netherlands and Flanders.
- van Eck, C. (2014). Nomination for ''Windesheims Beste''.
- van Eck, C. (2010). Best proposal for energy awareness event in European sustainable energy week.
Membership / relevant position
- van Eck, C. (2025). Raad van Advies, NWO Wetenschapscommunicatiedag.
Media appearance
- Hayhoe, K., van Eck, C. & Messling, L. (17-01-2025). Prominent climate scientist argues it's time to ditch the 'myth of neutrality' [Web] CBC. Prominent climate scientist argues it's time to ditch the 'myth of neutrality'. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/prominent-climate-scientist-argues-it-s-time-to-ditch-the-myth-of-neutrality-1.7433405?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar
- van Eck, C. (20-09-2024). Navigating between Science and Activism [Web] Going Public. Going Public - EP1: Navigating between Science and Activism. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0CnY4YMtwQXqDYzAgIGNGp
- van Eck, C. (12-06-2024). NWO-debatreeks: ‘Het is een mythe om te denken dat wetenschap waardevrij is’ [Web] NWO. NWO-debatreeks: ‘Het is een mythe om te denken dat wetenschap waardevrij is’. https://www.nwo.nl/nieuws/nwo-debatreeks-het-is-een-mythe-om-te-denken-dat-wetenschap-waardevrij-is
- van Eck, C. (16-11-2023). Overvloed Podcast Overvloed. Overvloed. https://patricknederkoorn.nl/project/overvloed/
- van Eck, C. (30-10-2023). Zoveel klimaat-onzin staat er op TikTok [Web] KRO NCRV | Pointer Checkt. Zoveel klimaat-onzin staat er op TikTok. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o-iGZY-dg8
- van Eck, C. (20-09-2023). Image by atlascompany on Freepik Barriers of Climate Communication [Web] Wissenschafts Kommunikation.de. Image by atlascompany on Freepik Barriers of Climate Communication. https://www.wissenschaftskommunikation.de/barriers-of-climate-communication-70947/
- van Eck, C. (13-08-2022). We roven de aarde leeg en al vijftig jaar weten en ontkennen we dat [Print] De Limburger. We roven de aarde leeg en al vijftig jaar ontkennen we dat. https://www.limburger.nl/cnt/dmf20220811_95821293
- van Eck, C. (28-05-2022). Wetenschappers gaan de straat op voor het klimaat [Print] Nederlands Dagblad. Wetenschappers gaan de straat op voor het klimaat.
- van Eck, C. (28-04-2022). ‘I sometimes wonder: who benefits from this kind of polarisation?’ [Web] NWO.nl. ‘I sometimes wonder: who benefits from this kind of polarisation?’. https://www.nwo.nl/en/i-sometimes-wonder-who-benefits-kind-polarisation
- van Eck, C. (08-12-2021). Wat zijn belemmeringen voor wetenschappers om activistisch te zijn? [Web] KlimaatHelpdesk. Wat zijn belemmeringen voor wetenschappers om activistisch te zijn?. https://www.klimaathelpdesk.org/answers/wat-zijn-belemmeringen-voor-wetenschappers-om-activistisch-te-zijn-zich-duidelijk-uit-te-spreken/
- van Eck, C. (15-11-2021). Zo werkt klimaatpolarisatie online. Zo werkt klimaatpolarisatie online. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h27KNUAHQo4
- van Eck, C. (28-10-2021). Sterke klimaatpolarisatie in de online blogwereld. Sterke klimaatpolarisatie in de online blogwereld. https://www.uva.nl/shared-content/faculteiten/nl/faculteit-der-maatschappij-en-gedragswetenschappen/nieuws/2021/10/duurzaamheid-sterke-klima…
- van Eck, C. (14-01-2021). Show 33 Climate Communication! [Radio] Extinction Rebellion Radio. Show 33 Climate Communication!. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sl3tkv9qW6VYNEkelXuWG
- van Eck, C. (01-10-2020). A cup of climate [Web] A Cup of Climate. A cup of climate. https://open.spotify.com/show/3c4wJLFU4zfvjw77tnBW0M
- van Eck, C. (30-09-2019). 12. Scepsis en communicatie over het klimaat met Christel Van Eck [Web] Ecosofie. Scepsis en communicatie over het klimaat met Christel van Eck. https://ecosofie.net/12-scepsis-en-communicatie-over-het-klimaat-met-christel-van-eck/
- van Eck, C. (14-05-2014). IPCC's outdated climate change communication won't cut it [Web] The Guardian. IPCC's outdated climate change communication won't cut it. https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/ipcc-climate-change-science-communication
Talk / presentation
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (31-3-2025). Value-Driven Science Communication by Climate Scientists, University of Zurich.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (17-2-2025). "We need to act on the climate emergency, right now!": Value-driven science communication in the climate change debate, VU.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (10-12-2024). Wetenschap met (g)een mening, NWO-debat: Wetenschap met (g)een mening, Amsterdam. https://www.nwo.nl/nieuws/nwo-debatreeks-het-is-een-mythe-om-te-denken-dat-wetenschap-waardevrij-is
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (14-11-2024). Onzekerheid communiceren vanuit zelfvertrouwen: hoe dan?, NWO Nationale Wetenschapscommunicatiedag 2024, Zwolle. https://www.nationalewetenschapscommunicatiedag.nl/programma
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (2-11-2024). How can Science communication help in creating an open, critical but fair&safe debate, without hostility towards scientists?, Berlin Science Week.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (22-10-2024). Verdiepingssessie: Klimaatcommunicatie in een gepolariseerd landschap, GroenLinks-PVDA.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (14-10-2024). DIALOOG | Kleur Bekennen, NWO Nationale Wetenschapscommunicatiedag 2024, Zwolle. https://www.nationalewetenschapscommunicatiedag.nl/programma
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (2-5-2024). We need to act on the climate emergency, right now! Value-driven science communication in the climate change debate, Vrije Universiteit.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (18-4-2023). Climate change and academia: What role to play?, Climate Change and Academia: What Role to Play?, Amsterdam. https://spui25.nl/programma/climate-change-and-academia-what-role-to-play
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (16-3-2023). ‘GOING GREEN TOGETHER’: SUSTAINALAB X USP, ‘GOING GREEN TOGETHER’: SUSTAINALAB X USP, Amsterdam.
- Jonkman, J. (speaker) & van Eck, C. (speaker) (16-3-2023). Vijf Nederlanden: Burgerperspectieven op de Nederlandse energietransitie, VPRO Tegenlicht Meet Up about the energy transition on, Amsterdam.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (3-10-2022). Climate Science Communication in Polarized Debates.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (29-9-2022). Climate Science Communication in Polarized Debates, Freudenthal Instituut Universiteit Utrecht.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (19-9-2022). Tegenstelling in het klimaatdebat en de energietransitie: van dialoog naar debat, Mensenrechtenlezing, Gemeente Bunnik.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (6-9-2022). Klimaatcommunicatie: van een-ver-van-mijn-bed show naar klimaatactie, Het energievraagstuk: hoe voorzien we in onze energiebehoefte, Utrecht.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (2-9-2022). Effectively communicating my research to the public: A Science Communication Workshop, Summer School on “Sea level change: evidence, challenges and policy”.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (2-6-2022). The Next Generation of Climate Scientists and Science Communicators, Kick-Off event ECoLab.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (20-4-2022). Effectieve klimaatcommunicatie, KlimaatHelpdesk.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (13-4-2022). The challenges of communicating climate change, Climate Change, Conservation and Ecology. https://live.researcher-app.com/researcher-live-climate-change-conservation?utm_source=researcher-social&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=climate-change
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (4-4-2022). The role of scientists on a planet in crisis, The role of scientists on a planet in crisis.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (4-2-2022). Conceptualizing 'online climate change polarization', Hot Politics Lab. http://www.hotpolitics.eu/event/labmeeting-20220204-vaneck/
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (28-1-2022). Interactive XR-webinar: The science behind effective climate activism, Extinction Rebellion NL.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (4-11-2021). Panel discussion on climate science and climate policy, NESSC Days 2021, Egmond aan Zee. https://www.nessc.nl/nessc-day-2021/
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (4-11-2021). Communication & media workshop, NESSC Days, Egmond aan Zee.
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (16-9-2021). Climate Communication: From Awareness to Action, Scientists4Future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR5OYEwbJxQ
- van Eck, C. (speaker) (22-9-2016). Klimaat & Energie Jury, Springtij, Terschelling.
Others
- van Eck, C. (visiting researcher) (26-3-2025 - 11-4-2025). University of Zurich (visiting an external institution).
- van Eck, C. (participant) (24-2-2025 - 25-2-2025). Green Young Academy: Schrijfsessie Academic Green Deal (participating in a conference, workshop, ...).
- van Eck, C. (visiting researcher) (1-10-2023 - 28-10-2023). The New Institute (visiting an external institution).
- van Eck, C. (visiting researcher) (1-2020 - 2-2020). University of Cambridge, UK (visiting an external institution).
2021
- van Eck, C. W. (2021). Opposing positions, dividing interactions, and hostile affect: A multi-dimensional approach to climate change polarization in the blogosphere. [Thesis, fully external, Wageningen University and Research]. Wageningen University, Communicatiewetenschap.
2024
- van Eck, C. W., Jonkman, J. G. F., Wonneberger, A. & Burgers, C. (2024). “Climate-Solutions Polarization”: A Value-based Approach to Understanding Polarization Dynamics around Biomass in Dutch Media Discourse. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26332665.v1
2022
- van Eck, C. W. (27-10-2022). Appendix.xlsx. Universiteit van Amsterdam. https://doi.org/10.21942/uva.21407340.v1
2021
- van Eck, C. & Feindt, P. H. (2021). Parallel routes from Copenhagen to Paris: climate discourse in climate sceptic and climate activist blogs. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.17038921.v1
This list of publications is extracted from the UvA-Current Research Information System. Questions? Ask the library or the Pure staff of your faculty / institute. Log in to Pure to edit your publications. Log in to Personal Page Publication Selection tool to manage the visibility of your publications on this list. -
Ancillary activities
No ancillary activities
Messling, L., Lu, Y., & van Eck, C. W. (2025). Advocacy – defending science or destroying it? Interviews with 47 climate scientists about their fundamental concerns. Public Understanding of Science. Advance online publication.