Historian, America Expert & Commentator on History and Current Affairs
Coks Donders is a public historian, Americanist, journalist, documentary maker, and the most visible young historian in the Netherlands. With her infectious enthusiasm and profound knowledge, she makes history relevant to current events and accessible to a wide audience.
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Coks Donders is a public historian, Americanist, journalist, documentary maker, and the most visible young historian in the Netherlands. With her infectious enthusiasm and in-depth knowledge, she makes history relevant to current events and accessible to a wide audience. Whether it’s about U.S. elections, European royal families, the Holocaust, geopolitical developments, or today’s social debates: Coks shows how the past helps us better understand the world today.
She studied American Studies and History and then pursued master’s degrees in Public History and History of International Relations. She specialized in the United States, genocide history, and above all, making history accessible to a broad audience, hence the mentioned public history. During her studies, she researched cultural heritage, memory culture, and how societies and media deal with (dark) pasts.
In the media, Coks has become a much-requested commentator and analyst. She regularly appears on television, radio, and news programs where she provides historical context to current events, often on shows like Eva, Blauw Bloed, and Nieuws van de Dag. From the British monarchy, the U.S. presidency, and the Vatican, to international conflicts and social changes: her strength lies in connecting the past and present in an accessible, sharp, and often surprising way.
A special area of focus is the so-called dark history: the study of wars, genocide, fascism, disasters, and the collective memory of them. Coks skillfully translates complex and sometimes sensitive topics into stories that inform, inspire, and prompt reflection. Because of this, she is appreciated by organizations, educational institutions, and conferences seeking depth without academic detachment.
In addition to her work as a historian and journalist, she is the creator and presenter of the podcast “Today in History,” where every Monday she highlights historical events that took place on that day. She also works on publications about history for a wide audience, including an informative children’s book about the Holocaust and an annual “Today in History” tear-off calendar. In 2026, Coks Donders explored the life of politician and thinker Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer for the KRO-NCRV documentary “Groen van Prinsterer, Orthodox Activist.”
As a speaker, Coks Donders combines knowledge, energy, and storytelling. Her lectures and panel discussions are interactive, content-rich, and surprisingly accessible. She speaks for businesses, educational institutions, governments, cultural organizations, and conferences seeking new perspectives on leadership, geopolitics, social developments, and lessons from history. She is also available as a day chairperson.
From Churchill to Roosevelt and from William of Orange to modern political leaders. Which lessons from the past are still relevant today for administrators, entrepreneurs, and leaders?
Why does America continue to fascinate the world? An accessible and up-to-date lecture on American history, culture, politics, and elections.
Why do monarchies, governments, the church, and other institutions survive crises that would be fatal for many organizations? A surprising look at leadership, tradition, reputation, and public image.
International developments are often better understood when we know the historical context. A lecture on power, conflicts, world order, and the lessons from the past for the future.
From queens and resistance fighters to scientists and pioneers. An inspiring lecture about influential women from history and the lessons their stories can still teach us today.
Why does history teach us to listen to voices that are often ignored? About dissenters, minorities, outsiders, and the importance of understanding in an increasingly polarized society. What can we learn from people who view the world from a different perspective than our own?
About war, genocide, fascism, and collective memory. What happens when societies forget or rewrite their past? And why does telling these stories remain of great importance?
How does historical thinking help organizations better handle uncertainty, change, and societal developments? What can we learn from past successes, failures, and turning points?
From Napoleon to Kennedy. On how those in power deliberately position themselves: clothing, portraits, architecture, rituals, language, photos, television, and today: social media. Which images define leadership and eventually make it into the history books?
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