Education

As an interdisciplinary research group at the department of Communication Sciences and the department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Product Design at Ghent University we support both master's programmes.

Master New Media and Society - Department of Communication Sciences

The Master’s programme ‘New Media & Society’ provides students in Communication Sciences with insights, skills and tools to be ready for new jobs in the rapidly digitising society. It builds further on the multidisciplinary expertise of our research group and questions the sustainable development of digital technology from different angles.

Our vision is that, in order to be sustainable, innovative technology needs to be
-   accepted by the end-user (user perspective)
-   based on a solid business model (industry perspective)
-   in line with social norms (social perspective)
-   compliant with law and regulation (policy perspective)

Core modules

The programme consists of four main modules reflecting this vision:

Innovation Research: Challenges (user perspective) – in Dutch
Lecturer: Prof. dr. Lieven De Marez

This module focuses on the implementation and practice of methodological skills and insights (research approach, data collection, analysis) related to real-life innovation challenges imposed by companies, governments or other societal stakeholders. Students are trained in teamwork, independent work, translation of results and formulation of recommendations towards stakeholders in all stages of innovation development processes.

Business Models for Digital Media (industry perspective) – in Dutch
Lecturer: Prof. dr. Tom Evens

This module course provides an in-depth understanding of the ever changing technology sector that is challenging the business model of media and technology organisations. It examines the processes of digital transformation and business model innovation in particular. A heuristic method is proposed to rethink the strategy of media and communications organisations and to formulate an adapted and preferably innovative business model.

New Media Studies (social perspective) – in English
Lecturer: dr. Ralf De Wolf

This module provides insights into the concepts and theoretical frameworks that are of importance when studying new media. Students are actively stimulated to develop a critical and solid opinion with regard to the societal impact of technology. Every class focuses on a specific topic, such as participation; networks and communities; identity; politics and democracy; digital economy and convergence culture; privacy and surveillance; big data and ethics.

Technology and Innovation Policy (policy perspective) – in Dutch
Lecturer: Prof. dr. Tom Evens

This module discusses influential theoretical frameworks to critically assess public-private interaction in the development, implementation and (impossibility of) regulation of new communication technologies. Using case studies including technology monopolies, sharing economy, digital single market, smart cities and net neutrality the interaction between governments, organisations, social stakeholders and citizens (the famous quadruple helix) and the (lack of) regulatory frameworks are examined.

Want more information about the Master’s programme? Contact Prof. dr. Tom Evens

Are you curious about job opportunities? Click here to learn more about the experiences of New Media and Society alumni (in Dutch)

Master Industrial Design - Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Product Design

After your academic bachelor in Industrial Sciences: Industrial Design, you can go directly to the subsequent master in Industrial Sciences: Industrial Design. You specialize in the same technological domain, with a master's thesis.

The industrial engineer in industrial design can:

systematically examine all aspects of industrial design by using materialized design solutions to investigate the behaviour of products and systems;
assume leadership in an innovation project; dealing with change and steering or using it as added value within a development process;
with the necessary entrepreneurial spirit and the courage to change, you steer all business processes from a design-oriented and investigative attitude;
adequately solve complex problems;
develop a product vision within a real business context.

More information (in Dutch)

Internship at mict

Master students can do an internship at our research group. As an intern, you will be responsible for your own tasks and collaborate on research projects. We welcome students from all departments with research skills and a broad interest in new media and technology. Sound methodological expertise, both quantitative and qualitative, is recommended.

Contact

Further questions?