Christiaan Triebert Alumnus of the Year 2018
Christiaan Triebert is the new Alumnus of the Year of the University of Groningen. He is awarded the prize for his contribution to innovative investigative journalism. Triebert (1991) is affiliated with the research groups of Bellingcat, Airways and the New York Times.
The jury of the annual prize is unanimous in their praise of Triebert’s qualities: ‘His work pushes the boundaries of traditional journalism, opens new doors, gives new insights, uncovers corruption and inspires others’.

Spectacular revelations
Using modern technology and digital sources such as WhatsApp messages, YouTube videos and Google Earth images, Triebert is able to reveal the circumstances of bombings, war crimes and human rights violations. He investigated the coup attempt in Turkey, the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the MH17 disaster and the wars in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine, as well as London’s moped gangs. Everything in his reports is verifiable – as is good academic practice.
New journalism
This makes Triebert one of the founders of a new kind of journalism, which he actively tries to spread. According to the jury, this is extremely important in today’s climate with the rise of fake news and uncontrolled mass media. Christiaan Triebert not only publishes in international media such as the New York Times, Al Jazeera, Daily Beast and Foreign Policy, he also gives workshops on this new type of journalism to fellow journalists all over the globe. In the Netherlands, he is praised as an expert in television shows such as De Wereld Draait Door, where he explains developments to a wider audience.
Background
Christiaan Triebert studied International Relations, Middle Eastern Studies and Political Philosophy at the University of Groningen, and obtained his Bachelor’s degree in 2015. During his studies he already worked as a journalist for the University newspaper (UK), for which he made reports and photo reports in war zones. He took his Master’s degree in Conflict, Security and Development at King’s College in London. In 2017, he was awarded the Innovation Award of the European Press Prize for his reconstruction of the 2016 coup in Turkey. Currently, he is Visual Investigations Journalist at the New York Times.
Award presentation
The Alumnus of the Year Award is a statue made by Groningen artist Wia van Dijk. It will be presented to Triebert during the Opening of the Academic Year on 2 September 2019.
Last modified: | 15 September 2022 2.50 p.m. |
More news
-
14 February 2023
Lift to the inclusive workplace
There is plenty of work, and yet people with a disability are still often sidelined. One plus one is two, or so you’d think: this is the perfect time to help this group of workers find a job. The intention is there, also within the University, but...
-
15 December 2022
Groningen contributes to major research initiative into energy-efficient information technology
The Dutch science funding agency NWO recently awarded a large research project into new concepts for energy-efficient information technology of no less than ten million euros
-
05 December 2022
Frans J. Sijtsma new Director Agricola School
On the recommendation of the Board of the University of Groningen, Dr Frans J. Sijtsma has been appointed as academic director of the Rudolf Agricola School for Sustainable Development with effect from 1 February 2023. This concerns a 0.5 FTE...