Dr H. (Hande) Sungur
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
CW : Youth & Media Entertainment
Area of expertise: Emerging media technologies, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Human-AI relationships, Mis/disinformation
Visiting address
- Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
Postal address
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Postbus 15791
1001 NG Amsterdam
Contact details
Social media
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Profile
Hande Sungur is an Asistant Professor at the Department of Communication Science at the University of Amsterdam. She is affiliated with the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR) and the Youth & Media Entertainment program group.
Her research focuses on understanding how media technologies such as virtual reality or AI companions can simulate different aspects of our reality and consequently influence our cognition and behavior. By understanding the underlying working mechanisms of these tools, Sungur aims to create effective interventions for different pro-social outcomes and well-being.
Research expertise
- Immersive media
- VR, AR
- AI companions
- Human-AI relationship
- Misinformation/disinformation
- Science scepticism
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Research
Research methods
- Experiment
- Survey
- Feature Analysis
- Content Analysis
- Interviews
- Focus groups
Current research projects
- Relationship formation with AI
In this project, we examine features of AI companions’ that support relationship formation and user characteristics and motivations in synthetic relationships
- Using virtual reality as a platform to promote sustainable behavior
In this project, we examine how virtual reality can be used to promote sustainable behavior by confronting people with the consequences of their plastic consumption.
Research grants & honours
2020 | Diving into sustainability: Using virtual reality as a learning platform to promote sustainable behaviour
- Hande Sungur (PI), Tilo Hartmann, Guido van Koningsbruggen, Zeph M. C. van Berlo
- NWO KIEM [funding granted]
2019 | Communication Tiger Award
- Teaching award by Mercurius for best tutorial teacher
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Teaching
- Extending Reality: Design and Applications of Immersive Media
- Graduation Project
- Thesis Preparation
- Entertainment Communication
- Misinformation Across Issues, Platforms and Audiences
- Master thesis supervision
PhD supervision
- Ezgi Dede, Relationship Formation with AI Partners
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Publications
2025
Sungur, H., van Berlo, Z. M. C., Hegyiová, H., & Hartmann, T. (2025). Designing effective VR experiences for pro-environmental outcomes: Enhancing self-efficacy through mastering solutions. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 19, Article 100783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2025.100783 [details]- van Berlo, Z. M. C., Sungur, H., & Gyarmati, F. (2025). Learning in virtual reality: The relationship between cognitive load, interactivity, and learning outcomes. Journal of Media Psychology, 38(2), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000460 [details]
2024
- Kulla, S. T., Sungur, H., & Sumter, S. R. (2024). The role of social presence in live and recorded concert viewing: Effects on enjoyment and emotional well-being. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 14, Article 100409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100409 [details]
- Sungur, H., van Berlo, Z. M. C., & Lüwa, L. M. (2024). Enhancing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training with Mixed Reality: Improving Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Performance and Enjoyment. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 27(6), 379-386. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0411 [details]
2022
- Sungur, H., van den Muijsenbergh, M. E. T. C., van Weert, J. C. M., & Schouten, B. C. (2022). Caring for older culturally and linguistically diverse patients with cancer: Healthcare providers' perceived barriers to communication. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 13(6), 862-870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgo.2022.04.009 [details]
- Yılmaz, N. G., Sungur, H., van Weert, J. C. M., van den Muijsenbergh, M. E. T. C., & Schouten, B. C. (2022). Enhancing patient participation of older migrant cancer patients: Needs, barriers, and eHealth. Ethnicity & Health, 27(5), 1123-1146. https://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2020.1857338 [details]
2020
- Sungur, H., Yılmaz, N. G., Chan, B. M. C., van den Muijsenbergh, M. E. T. C., van Weert, J. C. M., & Schouten, B. C. (2020). Development and evaluation of a digital intervention for fulfilling the needs of older migrant patients with cancer: User-Centered Design Approach. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(10), Article e21238. https://doi.org/10.2196/21238 [details]
2019
- Sungur, H., van Koningsbruggen, G. M., & Hartmann, T. (2019). Psychological Distance Cues in Online Messages: Interrelatedness of Probability and Spatial Distance. Journal of Media Psychology, 31(2), 65-80. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000229 [details]
2017
- van Lent, L. G. G., Sungur, H., Kunneman, F. A., van de Velde, B., & Das, E. (2017). Too Far to Care? Measuring Public Attention and Fear for Ebola Using Twitter. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(6), Article e193. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7219 [details]
2016
- Sungur, H., Hartmann, T., & van Koningsbruggen, G. M. (2016). Abstract mindsets increase believability of spatially distant online messages. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, Article 1056. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01056
2012
- Sungur, H., & Boduroglu, A. (2012). Action video game players form more detailed representation of objects. Acta Psychologica, 139, 327-334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2011.12.002
2020
- Schouten, B. C., Cox, A., Duran, G., Kerremans, K., Köseoğlu Banning, L., Lahdidioui, A., van den Muijsenbergh, M., Schinkel, S., Sungur, H., Suurmond, J., Zendedel, R., & Krystallidou, D. (2020). Mitigating language and cultural barriers in healthcare communication: Toward a holistic approach. Patient Education and Counseling, 103(12), 2604-2608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.05.001 [details]
2025
- Dede, E., Sungur, H., Lemmens, J. S., & Peter, J. (2025). Exploring synthetic relationships through features of AI companions: Machines as (New) Actors in Digital Communication Challenges and Opportunities for Science and Society . Paper presented at DGPuK & ICA Conference of the Divisions: , Dresden, Germany.
- Dede, E., Sungur, H., Lemmens, J. S., & Peter, J. (2025). Interview with the AI: Features of artificial companions. Abstract from 75th Annual ICA Conference, Denver, Colorado, United States.
- Dede, E., Sungur, H., Lemmens, J. S., & Peter, J. (2025). Sorry Siri, it’s love at first prompt: A feature analysis-based comparison of artificial companions’ relationship formation potential. Abstract from Beyond Commands: The Evolving Relationship Between Humans and Voice-Enabled AI, Tübingen, Germany.
2024
- Li, J., van Berlo, Z. M. C., Sungur, H., Breves, P. L., Rubens, D., Barış, L., & Meijers, M. H. C. (2024). Can virtual reality decrease the psychological distance to climate change. Paper presented at ECREA European Communication Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Sungur, H., Nguyen, L., & Xue, L. R. (2024). See through my shell: The role of embodiment in virtual reality experiences for inducing pro-environmental outcomes. Paper presented at 74th Annual ICA Conference, Gold Coast, Australia.
2023
- Sungur, H., van Berlo, Z. M. C., & Hartmann, T. (2023). Out of sight, out of mind? Testing the effectiveness of VR as an intervention tool for reducing psychological distance to scientific advice. Abstract from General Meeting of the European Association of Social Psychology, Krakow, Poland.
- van Berlo, Z. M. C., Meijers, M. H. C., Sungur, H., Rubens, D., & Breves, P. L. (2023). Can virtual reality decrease the psychological distance to climate change?. Abstract from Etmaal Communicatiewetenschap 2023, Enschede, Netherlands.
2022
- Sungur, H., van Berlo, Z. M. C., Hegyiova, H., & Hartmann, T. (2022). Designing virtual reality experiences for promoting sustainable behaviors: The role of learning prompts and environmental self-efficacy. Paper presented at 72nd Annual International Communication Association Conference.
- van Berlo, Z. M. C., Sungur, H., & Hartmann, T. (2022). Virtual reality — a window to the future: Using VR to reduce psychological distance toward the consequences of plastic consumption. Paper presented at Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Brussel, Belgium.
- van Berlo, Z. M. C., Sungur, H., & Hartmann, T. (2022). Virtual reality — a window to the future: Using VR to reduce psychological distance toward the consequences of plastic consumption. Paper presented at International XR Conference, Lisbon, Portugal.
2021
- Sungur, H., Schouten, B. C., & van Weert, J. C. M. (2021). Communicating with older migrant patients with cancer: Differences in perceived communication barriers between health are providers. Paper presented at ICA 2021 - 71st Annual ICA Conference.
2020
- Yilmaz, N. G., Sungur, H., van Weert, J. C. M., & Schouten, B. C. (2020). Stimulating patient participation among elderly Turkish-Dutch and Moroccan-Dutch cancer patients through eHealth: views of patients and providers. Paper presented at Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap 2020.
2018
- Sungur, H., Schouten, B. C., Yilmaz, N. G., van den Muijsenbergh, M., & van Weert, J. C. M. (2018). Affective and instrumental needs of older migrant cancer patients and their healthcare providers. Paper presented at 15th EACH conference on Communication in Healthcare, Porto, Portugal.
- Sungur, H., Schouten, B. C., Yilmaz, N. G., van den Muijsenbergh, M., & van Weert, J. C. M. (2018). Identification of communication needs and technology acceptance of older migrant cancer patients for the development of a digital oncology tool. Paper presented at ICA, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Sungur, H., Schouten, B. C., Yilmaz, N. G., van den Muijsenbergh, M., Nederhof, H., & van Weert, J. C. M. (2018). De Health Communicator: Systematische ontwikkeling van een digitale tool voor het overbruggen van taal- en culturele barrières tussen oudere migrantenpatiënten met kanker en hun zorgverleners. Paper presented at Nederlandse Vereniging Psychosociale Oncologie, Utrecht, Netherlands.
2017
- Sungur, H., Schouten, B. C., Yılmaz, N. G., van den Muijsenbergh, M., & van Weert, J. C. M. (2017). The Health Communicator: Systematic development of a digital tool for bridging language and cultural barriers between older migrant cancer patients and their caregivers. Poster session presented at Symposium Kanker bij Ouderen, Ede, Netherlands.
Prize / grant
- van Berlo, Z. & Sungur, H. (2022). Best Conference Paper – Research.
- Sungur, H. & van Berlo, Z. (2022). Grassroots Grant.
- Sungur, H. & van Berlo, Z. (2019). Creative Industries KIEM Grant. https://www.nwo.nl/en/projects/ki18051
Media appearance
- van Berlo, Z. & Sungur, H. (28-07-2020). Kan VR ervoor zorgen dat we minder plastic gaan gebruiken? [Radio] Nieuws en Co. How can we use virtual reality (VR) to reduce plastic consumption? (Radio interview). https://www.nporadio1.nl/nieuws-en-co/onderwerpen/62453-2020-07-28-kan-vr-ervoor-zorgen-dat-we-minder-plastic-gaan-gebruiken
Talk / presentation
- van Berlo, Z. (speaker), Sungur, H. (speaker), Meijers, M. (speaker) & van Harreveld, F. (speaker) (19-6-2023). Een ver-van-mijn-bedshow? Over virtual reality en het beïnvloeden van gedrag, Spui 25. https://spui25.nl/programma/een-ver-van-mijn-bedshow-over-virtual-reality-en-het-beinvloeden-van-gedrag
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Ancillary activities
- No ancillary activities
Sungur, H., van Berlo, Z. M. C., Hegyiová, H., & Hartmann, T. (2025). Designing effective VR experiences for pro-environmental outcomes: Enhancing self-efficacy through mastering solutions. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 19, Article 100783.