Dr. L. (Linda) van den Heijkant
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Communication, Organizations and Society
Area of expertise: societal challenges in the media, media frames
Visiting address
- Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
- Room number: C7.10
Postal address
Contact details
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Profile
Linda van den Heijkant is an Assistant Professor of Communication Science at the University of Amsterdam, where she is part of the program group Communication, Organisations and Society at the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR).
My research focuses on the role of the media in addressing complex societal challenges with long-term consequences and difficult trade-offs, such as ageing populations, pension reform, and climate change. I study how these issues are covered in the media—what topics are highlighted, which frames are applied, and what visuals are used—and how such coverage shapes public understanding and debate.
In my work, I draw on (automated) content analysis, cross-national and longitudinal comparisons, experiments, and qualitative approaches.
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Teaching
In the master’s program, I teach theoretical courses such as Strategic Communication and Climate Change Communication, as well as a research methods course on content analysis. In addition, I supervise master’s theses and serve as a convenor for one of ASCoR’s PhD clubs.
PhD supervision
Jasmijn Kruijt: How do media frame society's future problems
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Publications
2024
Vermeer, S., & van den Heijkant, L. (2024). Break a Story: Examining the Effects of Instagram Stories from News Accounts on Adolescents’ Political Learning. Journalism Studies, 25(9), 1029-1052. https://doi.org/10.1080/1461670X.2023.2246067 [details]- 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 den Heijkant, L., Skovsgaard, M., & Vliegenthart, R. (2024). Framing policy reform in Europe: A comparative study of frame variation across countries, newspapers, and time. Journalism Studies, 25(10), 1138–1159. https://doi.org/10.1080/1461670X.2024.2358117 [details]
- van den Heijkant, L., van Selm, M., Hellsten, I., & Vliegenthart, R. (2024). Justice Matters: News Framing Effects on Opinions about Pension Reform. Work, Aging and Retirement, 10(3), 285–299. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/waad011 [details]
2023
- van den Heijkant, L., van Selm, M., Hellsten, I., & Vliegenthart, R. (2023). Framing pension reform in the news: Traditional versus social media. Communications: The European Journal of Communication Research, 48(2), 249-272. https://doi.org/10.1515/commun-2021-0058 [details]
2021
- van Selm, M., & van den Heijkant, L. (2021). In search of the older worker: Framing job requirements in recruitment advertisements. Work, Aging and Retirement, 7(4), 288-302. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/waaa026 [details]
2019
- van den Heijkant, L., van Selm, M., Hellsten, I., & Vliegenthart, R. (2019). Intermedia agenda setting in a policy reform debate. International Journal of Communication : IJoC, 13, 1890-1912. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/11017 [details]
2018
- van den Heijkant, L., & Vliegenthart, R. (2018). Implicit frames of CSR: The interplay between the news media, organizational PR, and the public. Public Relations Review, 44(5), 645-655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2018.05.007 [details]
2025
- Kruijt, J., van den Heijkant, L., Jonkman, J. G. F., van der Meer, G. L. A., & Araujo, T. B. (2025). Near, far, or uncertain: How news media frame distance and scenarios in coverage of persistent social issues. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap 2025, Brugge, Belgium.
- Kruijt, J., van den Heijkant, L., Jonkman, J. G. F., van der Meer, G. L. A., & Araujo, T. B. (2025). Near, far, or uncertain: How news media frame distance and scenarios in coverage of persistent social issues. Abstract from Journalism Studies Symposium, Lisbon, Portugal.
2024
- van Selm, M., & van den Heijkant, L. (2024). Communicating against age bias in employers: The effects of message style in employer-endorsed communication about older workers on employability perceptions. Abstract from ECREA European Communication Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- van Selm, M., & van den Heijkant, L. (2024). Countering age bias among employers: The effects of message style in employer-endorsed communication about older workers. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap 2024, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
2023
- Jonkman, J. G. F., van den Heijkant, L., & Vliegenthart, R. (2023). Examining the issue arena of corporate tax in Europe. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Enschede, The Netherlands.
- Vermeer, S., & van den Heijkant, L. (2023). Examining the effects of Instagram Stories on adolescents' engagement with political news. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Enschede, Netherlands.
- van den Heijkant, L., Skovsgaard, M., & Vliegenthart, R. (2023). Framing policy issues in Europe. A comparative study of frame variation across countries, newspapers, and over time. Abstract from 15th Annual Comparative Agendas Project (CAP) Conference, Antwerp, Belgium.
2022
- van Selm, M., & van den Heijkant, L. (2022). Countering biases in employer communication towards older job seekers: Does perspective taking work?. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap.
- van Selm, M., & van den Heijkant, L. (2022). Countering biases in employer communication towards older job seekers: Does perspective taking work?. Paper presented at 72nd International Communication Association (ICA) Annual
Conference, Paris, France. - van den Heijkant, L., Skovsgaard, M., & Vliegenthart, R. (2022). Framing the retirement age increase in Europe: A cross-national comparative study of frames in the news. Paper presented at 72nd International Communication Association (ICA) Annual Conference, Paris, France.
2021
- van den Heijkant, L. (2021). Differential responses to traditional versus social media: Examining self-reported and manipulated media exposure measures. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap.
2020
- van Selm, M., & van den Heijkant, L. (2020). Framing older workers’ qualities in job advertisements and recruitment praxis. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- van Selm, M., & van den Heijkant, L. (2020). Framing older workers’ qualities in job advertisements and recruitment praxis. Paper presented at International Communication Association (ICA), Gold Coast, Australia.
- van den Heijkant, L., van Selm, M., Hellsten, I. R., & Vliegenthart, R. (2020). Solidarity at stake? Consequences of media frames on support for a national pension system. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- van den Heijkant, L., van Selm, M., Hellsten, I. R., & Vliegenthart, R. (2020). Solidarity at stake? Consequences of media frames on support for a national pension system. Paper presented at International Communication Association (ICA), Gold Coast, Australia.
2019
- van den Heijkant, L. (2019). Work longer, retire later: How traditional and social media frame the retirement age debate. Paper presented at preconference 'Journalism Studies Graduate
Student Colloquium' at the 69th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington, United States. - van den Heijkant, L., van Selm, M., Hellsten, I. R., & Vliegenthart, R. (2019). Older workers retire later: How media frame the retirement age debate. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
2018
- van den Heijkant, L. (2018). Implicit frames of CSR: The interplay between the news media, PR, and the public. Paper presented at Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Prague, Czech Republic.
- van den Heijkant, L., van Selm, M., Hellsten, I. R., & Vliegenthart, R. (2018). Intermedia agenda-setting in a policy reform debate. Paper presented at Comparative Agendas Project (CAP), Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- van den Heijkant, L., van Selm, M., Hellsten, I. R., & Vliegenthart, R. (2018). Media debate on raising the retirement age in the Netherlands: Sub-issue and stakeholder approach. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Ghent, Belgium.
Talk / presentation
- van den Heijkant, L. (invited speaker) (23-5-2022). V-100 - Verantwoordingsdag (Thema: krapte op de arbeidsmarkt), Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal.
- van den Heijkant, L. (invited speaker) (1-3-2022). Pension reforms in the media, Autoriteit Financiële Markten.
- van den Heijkant, L. (invited speaker) (8-10-2019). Mediadebat over het verhogen van de pensioenleeftijd, SZW wetenschapsdag, Den Haag.
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Ancillary activities
No ancillary activities
Vermeer, S., & van den Heijkant, L. (2024). Break a Story: Examining the Effects of Instagram Stories from News Accounts on Adolescents’ Political Learning. Journalism Studies, 25(9), 1029-1052.