The Communication Studies Department
The Communication Studies Department is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Solvay Business School (ES).
The research activities of the department coincide in practice with the work of the three research groups: CEMESO, DESIRE and SMIT
Research Centers
The members of the Communication Studies Department at Vrije Universiteit Brussel closely collaborate with the following research centers.
https://www.researchcenterdesire.eu/
Researchers:
- De Cleen Benjamin (International Chair & VUB Group Chair)
Who is who?
The following people are part of the staff of this department.
Professors
Full time professor
Leo Van AudenhoveFull time professor
Jo PiersonFull time professor
Pieter BallonFull time professor
Joke BauwensFull time professor
Jan LoisenFull time professor
Karen DondersFull time professor
Benjamin De CleenFull time professor
Ike PiconeFull time professor
Wendy Van den BroeckFull time professor
Kevin SmetsAcademic staff
PhD Students
Researchers
Rob Heyman
Postdoctoral ResearcherHeritiana Renaud Ranaivoson
Postdoctoral ResearcherAnne-Sofie Vanhaeght
Postdoctoral ResearcherNanouk Verhulst
Postdoctoral ResearcherLisa Ahenkona
ResearcherGiacomo Toffano
ResearcherOlivier Braet
ResearcherBoonen Michelle
ResearcherMarlen Komorowski
ResearcherWillemien Laenens
ResearcherTom Seymoens
ResearcherLaura Temmerman
ResearcherWim Vanobberberghen
ResearcherCarina Veeckman
ResearcherAnouk Verhellen
ResearcherChantal Wauters
ResearcherPublications
We have a record of numerous books and book chapters published by the key academic publishers, and hundreds of articles in major political science journals.
View our online publications.
Online publicationsStart a PhD
Read below what you have to do before starting a PhD.
What to prepare?
Before contacting a possible supervisor, please prepare a research proposal (max. 10 pages), including these elements:
- State of the art
- Objectives of the research
- Methodology
- Work plan
- Bibliographical references that are relevant for your research proposal
- List of your publications (if appropriate)
Additionally, you should also provide your Bachelor's and Master's transcripts of records.
For further information about doing a PhD at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, please see the following page.
Secretary of the Department: Communication Studies
Located at Pleinlaan 9 (4th floor), room PL9.4G51
At 5 minutes walking distance from the Etterbeek train station, and 10 minutes from the metro stations Petillon or Delta.
Directions Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus

Our office entrance at Pleinlaan 9