Winnifred Wijnker

About

As an expert in visual communication and perception, I am excited about the opportunities digital media offer for sharing stories, knowledge, and experiences. In my research I focus on how visuals offer powerful modes of communication and explore new ways to influence viewers’ perception. Being educated in the field of arts (doctorate), philosophy (master), educational media (PhD), and science communication (Postdoc), I build on theories from media studies, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, education, and communication. I am experienced in working in interdisciplinary teams and find great joy in undertaking transdisciplinary inquiries to tackle real challenges for the benefit of practitioners. In my research studies, I keep a close connection to society and strive to create concrete and out-of-the-box solutions to help educators, communicators, and designers to improve their practice. E.g., in my PhD research I worked with teachers in secondary science education and integrated film theory with science pedagogy into a new model to use film for raising pupils’ interest in science topics. In my postdoctoral research I created effective strategies to debunk misleading graphs in journalistic practice. In my teaching activities, I aim to activate students in their own inquiry, and to guide them towards new insights and unconventional perspectives and products. E.g., in the professionalization course I gave to secondary education teachers, I guided the participants while discovering how video could enrich their teaching strategies. In the master Science Communication & Society at Leiden University I set up a course on scientific narration and visualization in which students explore the relationship between form characteristics, viewer/reader experiences, and science communication goals. Working with a public broadcasting company gave me an insight view on the practice of media creators and designers. Reaching out as a researcher by organizing conferences, giving workshops and guest lectures, and publishing in professional and scientific journals made me competent in understanding the needs of different actors, and in matching content to their practice and interest. I am skilled in both qualitative and quantitative research approaches and successful in writing research proposals for grants, publishing preregistered scientific papers, leading research projects, supervising students, teaching, and managing a project group.