Dr Imke Henkel
- Position: Lecturer in Journalism and Media
- Areas of expertise: journalism, political communication, news and democracy, disinformation, digital journalism, journalists' professional roles
- Email: I.Henkel@leeds.ac.uk
- Location: 1.29 Clothworkers' North
- Website: Blue Sky | Twitter | LinkedIn | Googlescholar | Researchgate | ORCID
Profile
I joined Leeds in September 2024. Previously, I was a Lecturer in Diguital Journalism at Birkbeck, University of London, where I still remain an Honorary Research Fellow. Before that I taught Journalism at the University of Lincoln between 2015 and 2021.
My research interests include the democratic function of news media, comparing different media and political systems; digital media and the interaction between technological change and changing professional ideologies; climate change and justice reporting; and mis- and disinformation. In 2021, my book Destructive Strorytelling: Disinformation and the Eurosceptic Myth that Shaped Brexit explored why disinformation prevails even after its falsehood has been exposed. I am also part of the Worlds of Journalism Study as a joint PI for the UK (together with Neil Thurman and Sina Thäsler-Kordonouri, both LMU Munich).
In a previous life, I worked as journalist for German national media, including most major radio stations such as Deutschlandfunk, WDR, BR, NDR, HR, SWR/SDR, and news papers Süddeutsche Zeitung and Die Zeit. Between 2004 and 2014 I was the UK and Ireland correspondent for the German news magazine Focus. In 2010, my article “Young, Wild, Conservative” was shortlisted for the Foreign Press Association Media Awards.
Responsibilities
- Deputy BA Journalism Programme Leader
Research interests
My research interests include:
- journalism
- political communication
- the democratic function of news media
- comparing the democratic role of news media in liberal and illiberal democracies
- disinformation and its underlying ideologies
- digital media
- journalists’ professional roles and ideologies
Qualifications
- PhD in German Literature, University of Passau
- HEA Fellow
Professional memberships
- ECREA
- MeCCSA
Student education
I teach across journalism and political communication modules.
<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>