Our key areas of focus
How the media shape our society – and how we can shape them. The ikum conducts research into digital communication, taking an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented approach.
Research at the faculty of Media
Research into Media and Communication
Understanding, shaping and researching communication and media in a changing world
The Institute for Communication and Media (ikum) brings together the research and knowledge transfer activities of the faculty of Media. The focus is on digital media and public communication – ranging from social participation, through education and journalism, to art, popular culture and strategic communication. This diversity of topics is reflected in a wide range of media forms: text, audio, video, games, XR and hybrid formats all form part of our research practice.
The ikum is supported by an interdisciplinary community that employs methods from media and communication studies, whilst also making room for technical and experimental-exploratory approaches. Organisation is structured around flexible research groups. In addition to project work, the ikum supports early-career researchers: twelve researchers are currently undertaking their PhD studies here. Knowledge transfer, teaching and continuing education benefit from direct interaction with the researchers.
Our research topics:
- The transformative potential of media and communication for social change
- Digital content, format and media development – particularly in conjunction with new technologies
How we work:
- interdisciplinary project work in open research groups
- Key areas for transformative research approaches
- Within the framework of traditional media and communication studies research, we focus in particular on testing exploratory and experimental approaches from the field of artistic research
What we offer:
- Support with project development and applications
- Funding for PhD projects
- Knowledge transfer formats for professional practice and continuing education
Project highlights
Talking Salmon
Talking Salmon tells stories about salmon-like fish that reconnect people with nature. They are fitting protagonists, as they act as a bridge between the sea, the land and humankind. Indigenous traditions are important here, as they have long transcended the boundary between humankind and nature.
Body in Space: Interactive 360° audio and video environments for (post)humans
How ‘real’ does the human body appear in digital spaces? The project explores physicality as an interplay between sound, image and movement in 360° environments. The artistic genre of audio-based performance becomes the focal point for diverse concepts of virtuality.
University Coalition for Student Inner Development
The University Coalition for Student Inner Development brings together higher education institutions and universities worldwide with the aim of establishing inner development as an integral part of academic education. The aim is to empower students to shape the future in a resilient and responsible manner.
Gamification: the case of the e-file
The project investigates how gamification elements can be integrated into the fields of Public Management, AI training and operational work processes in order to boost motivation and efficiency. Psychological, technological and economic principles are examined and applied in the process.
NFDI4Memory
The project is developing concepts and standards for the storage, accessibility and quality preservation of historical research data. It also aims to establish and disseminate data literacy within disciplines working in the field of history.
contacts
Other facilities
Research data management
library
FZ ai
Research Centre for Applied Computer Science
FZ dkmi
Research Centre for Digital Communication & Media Innovation
FZ npv
Research Centre for Sustainable Processes and Methods
graduate school
Information on doctoral studies and doctoral centres
SFT
Service Centre for Research and Transfer