Section Aims

The digital culture and communication section of the ECREA defines its main objectives as being to exchange and develop research and to build a research culture at the European level in the developing field of digital media and informational culture as this is broadly defined. We welcome work that crosses disciplines and that operates at the boundaries of what might generally be allowed to constitute media/communication systems. The section actively seeks both empirical and theoretical/critical work. Since digital culture and communication is one of the newest topics within the realm of media and communication research, it is (and should be) an important part of the European research agendas and deserves our full academic attention.

The section defines its work as follows:

1. To provide a forum for researchers who work on digital culture and
communication in the broad sense.
2. To develop further research in the field.
3. To build the basis for collaboration at all levels.
4. To encourage junior researchers.
5. To communicate existing work in the section to the broader academic world and to the public (at ECREA events, at other conferences, through talks at nonacademic events, through publications, etc.).
6. To liaise with other sections within the ECREA wherever possible.
7. To further the European research area.

Digital media technologies allow us – indeed force us – to rethink existing media and communication theories and approaches (as well as research methods). They also force us to redefine traditional boundaries – for instance those between traditional broadcast media and interpersonal communication – and to explore new forms of interaction. Developments in this field have repercussions for the field of media and communication research as a whole. Exchange with others in the wider field is therefore crucial.

Full version here: Digital Culture and Communication Section