Profile

PORTFOLIO

Nadia Zaboura is a communication scientist, media critic and public commentator. In 2025, she co-published a book on the future of German journalism („Media between power and powerlessness. How journalism can regain trust.“, publisher S. Hirzel) and continuously analyzes German media coverage on the Middle East, right-wing extremism and authoritarianism and its implications for social cohesion and democracy in a plural society.

As a freelance consultant of 16 years, Nadia Zaboura has previously worked at innovation and development agencies and since then carries out consultancies for media organizations, companies, associations and foundations in the areas of democracy, digitalization, diversity, education and the media.

On the topic of the Middle East, Nadia Zaboura serves as an expert advisor for media companies, editorial departments, politics, foundations, event organizers and culture, offering science-backed consultancy and workshops.

Awarded with Bert-Donnepp-Preis - German Award for Media Critique and an audience prize for Grimme Online Award, she offers a broad range of scientifically informed media analysis and criticism, including public lectures, panel discussions, and expert interviews in the media.

She has authored numerous media analyses on German media coverage, addressing media producers and media audiences alike, with a focus on digital communication as a means of academic third mission, reaching diverse target groups.

In addition to advisory services and public debate, Nadia Zaboura also accompanies media, tech and science congresses as a curator and specialist moderator. She moreover contributes her expertise to future committees and juries in Germany and Europe: as an evaluator for the European Commission and as a long-term chair of the jury and juror of German media awards:

► Appointed expert evaluator for the European Commission (Horizon Europe) (since 2015)
► Member of the programme committee of re:publica (since 2017)
► Member of the Board of Trustees of Grimme Research Center (2018-2025)
► Chairwoman and juror of "German Radio Award" (chairwoman 2019-2022 / juror 2018, 2013-2015, 2023-2025)
► Juror of "German Mobility Award" (2022)
► Appointed appraiser for German Federal Ministry of Science (2019)
► Chairwoman and juror of "Grimme Online Award" (chairwoman 2015 / juror 2012-2014)


C.V.

Since 2011: Zaboura Consulting: policy adviser and communication specialist. Designs new strategies at the intersection between media, creativity and technology for customers from industry, politics and institutions. Furthermore regular assignments as experienced moderator, podcast host speaker and curator (analogue, digital, hybrid formats)

2012 - 2015: Consultant for cluster management CREATIVE.NRW, a project of BOROS GmbH on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Responsible for future driven and evidence-based regional development via foresight studies, concept and management of projects such as "German Haus @ SXSW Interactive 2014" or cross-industry convention "CREATIVE.HEALTH"

2010 - 2012: Co-developer of cluster management MEDIEN.NRW and political-economic strategy consultant for Mediencluster NRW GmbH. Including management of projects such as industry foresight study "Future of Advertising 2015" and "ADVANCE - International Web & Startup Conference" (WIRED UK: "the perfect tech conference")

2007 - 2010: Regional developer and explorer of sectoral trends such as digital creative industries and social media as consultant at innovation agency MFG. Including management of EU project CReATE, writing of foresight studies and management of an award-winning podcast covering digital innovation in business and society

2006: Master of Arts (summa cum laude), obtained at the University of Essen, Institute for Communication Studies - Prof. Dr. Jo Reichertz. Thesis published at scientific publisher Springer VS.

Up to 2006: Studies in communication science and linguistics at University of Essen. Scientific focus on neuronal basis of communication as well as anthropology and language. Research assistant at the Institut of Communication Science - Prof. Dr. Jo Reichertz.