Endowed Professor

Focus
Ecosystem

Year of establishment
2024

Year of investment
2024

Country
Netherlands

Nikki Sterkenburg is Professor by Special Appointment of Investigative Journalism at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). She specialises in journalism education, digital media skills, and innovative reporting, and works to bridge media theory with practice-oriented journalism research and teaching.

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From other media

Fajrul Falah/Pixabay

Academics warn attacks on public broadcaster weaken democracy

6.12.2025 - AD

In an op-ed, academics argue that attacks on the public broadcaster can weaken democracy. They stress the importance of independent journalism.

Yan Krukau/Pexels

Moral ambition is the foundation of in-depth journalism

11.9.2025 - Stimuleringsfonds voor de Journalistiek

Nikki Sterkenburg highlights that investigative journalism is rooted in social responsibility and moral ambition. Her perspective underscores the importance of in-depth reporting.

Andy Vult/Unsplash

Opinion: Professor Sterkenburg’s dual role is not a problem

14.11.2024 - NRC

Combining a professorship in investigative journalism with a role at the NCTV has sparked debate about independence. In this op-ed, John Morijn argues that this combination is no problem at all.

Bart Maat

Nikki Sterkenburg appointed professor of investigative journalism

14.11.2024 - Vrije Universiteit

Vrije Universiteit has appointed Nikki Sterkenburg as professor of investigative journalism. The chair focuses on advancing and strengthening the field.

Cottonbro Studio/Pexels

Questions raised over dual role professor Sterkenburg

13.11.2024 - NRC

Combining a professorship in investigative journalism with a government role has sparked debate about independence. The article explores tensions between the two positions.

Marcio Goldzweig/Unsplash

VVOJ welcomes appointment of investigative journalism professor

7.11.2024 - VVOJ

VVOJ has welcomed the appointment of Nikki Sterkenburg. The organisation sees it as an important step for the development of investigative journalism.

Iqro Rinaldi/Unsplash

VVOJ launches the world’s first investigative journalism chair

28.9.2023 - VVOJ

VVOJ announces the creation of a new endowed Chair in Investigative Journalism at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The chair is designed to establish scientific research into newsroom practice.