Esther Hammelburg is a media scholar specializing in the increasing intertwinement of media technologies and our physical world. Her research delves into the societal implications of media technological developments. Esther is driven by a curiosity about people’s experiences with media; how their media practices shape their (everyday) lives. Her research is therefore mostly ethnographic.
In 2021, Esther earned her PhD from the University of Amsterdam with her dissertation titled Being There Live: How Liveness is Realized Through Media Use at Contemporary Cultural Events. The analysis of her extensive fieldwork — speaking to 379 people and gathering large datasets from social media platforms — shows how media use shapes how we experience ‘being there live.’ Her book shows how physical and mediated environments are entwined in live event experiences.
With this study, Esther provides valuable insights for event organizers, media professionals, artists and others in the cultural field. Because of this, she is nominated for the Boekman Dissertation Prize in 2024.
Currently, Esther’s research focuses on live experiences within immersive media, public digital infrastructures, and dynamic misinformation and participatory propaganda on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. She is also developing new ethnographic research into the sociality of messenger/chat apps.
As an experienced speaker, Esther frequently shares her expertise at academic and professional conferences. Her ability to convey complex media concepts in an accessible manner has made her a sought-after expert for journalists and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of contemporary media landscapes and the societal impact of media technologies.
Esther works as a senior lecturer and researcher at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, has recently worked with the Digital Society School, and is part of various networks around XR, immersive, (hybrid) events, and public space online. In 2024 she is the festival director of Society 5.0 Festival.