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Dr Imke Henkel

Dr Imke Henkel

Profile

I joined Leeds in September 2024. Previously, I was a Lecturer in Digital 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
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Some research projects I'm currently working on, or have worked on, will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • PhD in German Literature, University of Passau
  • HEA Fellow

Professional memberships

  • ECREA
  • MeCCSA

Student education

I teach across journalism and political communication modules.

Current postgraduate researchers

<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>