Karin Fikkers is assistant professor in the Language & Communication group of the department Languages, Literature & Communication and the Institute for Language Sciences. She teaches in the bachelor Communication and Information Sciences. Since September 2026, she is faculty-wide coordinator for the new learning trajectory Professional and Personal Development. In March 2026, Karin was one of the three nominees for the university-wide ‘Teacher of the year'-award. Her students nominated her for this award because of her ability to combine knowledge, enthusiasm, and a people-centered approach. 

Research-wise, she studies the effects (interactive) stories can have on the feelings, thoughts and behavior of people. In her dissertation research, Karin studied which teens are more (or less) susceptible to the negative effects of violent media entertainment on aggressive behavior. In 2016, Karin defended her dissertation with honors ('cum laude') at the University of Amsterdam. For her dissertation, she received the Kyoon Hur dissertation award of the Mass Communication divisie of the International Communication Association. Together with various colleagues, Karin has also won multiple prizes for her papers.