Netherlands Institute for Cultural Analysis
NICA is the Dutch national research school dedicated to the academic study of contemporary culture from an interdisciplinary, theoretical, and critical perspective. The school offers graduate courses for research master and PhD students, and serves as a professional network for affiliated scholars. Presently based at the Leiden University, the school welcomes the participation of scholars and students of all Dutch universities.
Executive team
- Director: Pepita Hesselberth, Assistant Professor Film and Digital Media (Leiden University Centre of the Arts in Society)
- Manager: Kim Sommer (Utrecht University)
- Junior manager: Mike Schrauwen (Leiden University)
Advisory Board
Board members:
- Isabel Awad, associate professor of Media and Communication (Erasmus University)
- Maaike Bleeker, professor of Theatre Studies (Utrecht University)
- Joost de Bloois, assistant professor of Cultural Analysis and Comparative Literature (University of Amsterdam)
- Erin La Cour, assistant professor of English Literature and Visual Culture (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
- Yasco Horsman, assistant professor of Film and Literary Studies (Leiden University)
- Esther Peeren, professor of Cultural Analysis (University of Amsterdam)
- Kathryn Roberts, assistant professor of American Studies (University of Groningen)
- Melanie Schiller, professor of Contemporary Media Cultures (Radboud University)
- Benjamin Schoonenberg, RMA-student Cultural Analysis (University of Amsterdam), lecturer at LUCAS (Leiden University)
- Eliza Steinbock, associate professor in Gender and Diversity Studies (Maastricht University)
- Inge van de Ven, assistant professor of Online Culture (Tilburg University)
PhD/rMA-Council
- Yann Dardonville, rMA Student at Leiden University
- Ray Dolitsay, rMA Student at University of Amsterdam
- Yiorgos-Evgenios Douliakis, PhD candidate at University of Amsterdam
- Lola De Oya, rMA Student at the University of Amsterdam
- Benjamin Schoonenberg, rMA Student at University of Amsterdam
- Mitchell van Vuren, PhD Candidate at Leiden University
- Franziska Westhauser, PhD Candidate at University of Amsterdam
Social Safety
NICA is committed to providing its members with a safe environment. All universities participating in NICA endorse the Dutch Universities’ Code of Conduct. Of key importance are collegiality, integrity, equality, respect, openness and attention to each other. NICA does not tolerate any type of undesirable conduct, including sexual and general harassment, aggression, bullying or discrimination.
By its very nature, NICA is a network where people from different backgrounds can meet and cooperate. Anyone affiliated as a member contributes to a mutually respectful treatment, regardless of origin, religious belief, sexual preference, handicap, position or job. In sum, it is up to all persons within NICA to make an active commitment towards social safety.