Niels G. Mede

Assistant Professor of Science Communication at Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen, Gelderland, Netherlands

About

I am an Assistant Professor of Science Communication in the Strategic Communication Group at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Netherlands. I study public opinion and communication about science and science-related issues, such as climate change, health, and emerging technologies, focusing on digital media, populism and skepticism towards science, public harassment of scholars and science communicators, political interference with academic freedom, science literacy, and survey methodology. Currently, I am co-leading two survey projects on public opinion and communication about science: the 68-country study TISP, which investigates trust in scientists and their role in society worldwide, and the Science Barometer Switzerland, a 2016-2031 survey of the Swiss population. As part of a 2025 fellowship at the Digital Democracy Centre at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), I am also leading a project that investigates user perceptions and reactions to online hate speech against scientists. Beyond that, I serve as co-chair of the Science Communication Section of the German Communication Association (DGPuK), Secretary of the Environmental Communication Division of the International Communication Association (ICA), and Associate Editor of Environmental Communication.

Experience

  • Associate Editor Environmental Communication at International Environmental Communication Association (IECA)
    Feb 2026 - Present · 5 mos

  • Member at Wageningen Young Academy
    Feb 2026 - Present · 5 mos

  • Fellow at Wageningen School of Social Science (WASS)
    Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

  • Assistant Professor at Wageningen University & Research
    Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr

  • Secretary Environmental Communication Division at International Communication Association
    Jun 2025 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo