Media Culture & Policy Lab

Vision Statement for the Media Culture & Policy Lab

Background and Challenges

Traditional and digital media provide citizens with opportunities for global communication and community building but also introduce new challenges and social issues, such as misinformation, fake news, deepfakes, privacy concerns, polarization, and the formation of echo chambers. These dynamics hinder the exchange of diverse perspectives, disrupting healthy and critical dialogue. Simultaneously, they amplify distrust and widen the gap between different societal groups.

The Media Culture & Policy Lab conducts research on these pressing media challenges, studying how media function and their implications for individuals, social groups, and society at large. Through a broad, critical, and innovative lens, we aim to provide evidence-based insights into the complex relationship between people, media, and culture, paving the way for a more inclusive and better-informed society.

Mission

The Media Culture & Policy Lab examines media culture in all its facets. We explore the interactions between the media industry, media technologies, media texts, and society, analyzing the impact of mediatization and technological developments. By unraveling complex media phenomena, we actively contribute to solutions that foster dialogue and strengthen social cohesion. In addition, we develop tools and interventions to support and amplify social change. Our insights facilitate equitable dialogue and empower citizens, policymakers, and media professionals.

Core Themes

Our research focuses on:

• Representation of diverse groups in news media and inclusive digital practices.
• Games, digital play culture, and the social impact of interactive media.
• Media and youth in at-risk situations, addressing both opportunities and challenges.
• Problematic internet use and its socio-psychological consequences.
• Mediatization of religion, myths, and conspiracy theories.
• Historical and cultural dimensions of film and media.
• Media and audiovisual culture.

Methodology

The Media Culture & Policy Lab employs a research approach that is both critical and empirical, with a strong emphasis on mixed methods. We combine qualitative and quantitative techniques, such as interviews, participatory observation, storytelling, large-scale surveys, diary studies, and experimental research, to tackle complex issues from multiple perspectives. Computational methods, including text mining, network analysis, and sentiment analysis, play a vital role in analyzing large datasets and uncovering patterns and developments that might otherwise remain invisible.

Participatory research methods are central to our approach. We view participants not merely as research subjects but as active co-researchers, enabling richer and more relevant insights. Furthermore, we integrate intercultural perspectives by incorporating diverse cultural frameworks and moving beyond Western paradigms. Innovative data analysis techniques and visual methods allow us to make complex phenomena clear and accessible, supported by robust data infrastructures. This multidimensional approach contributes to a profound understanding of media culture, offering insights that are academically and socially relevant.

Collaborations

Collaboration is at the heart of the Media Culture & Policy Lab. We work closely with partners such as Mintlab, the LUCA School of Arts, and the Digital Society Institute. These institutions play a crucial role in promoting methodological and theoretical innovation, integrating cutting-edge technologies and creative perspectives into our research.

Academically, we maintain strong ties with a wide range of national and international institutions. These collaborations enable us to investigate complex media issues from diverse cultural, disciplinary, and geographical perspectives. Through joint research projects, visiting scholars, and knowledge exchange, we foster knowledge sharing and academic progress.

In addition to academic partnerships, we work intensively with policymakers and media professionals. Our goal is to translate research findings into practical, actionable recommendations. We provide advisory support for policy development and assist media professionals in creating ethical and inclusive media productions.

Impact

Our research seeks to challenge stigmas, promote dialogue, and contribute to inclusive media policies and governance. We deliver evidence-based insights to policymakers and media professionals, emphasizing ethical, inclusive, and equitable media practices. Our impact extends beyond academic publications: we aim to stimulate social cohesion and strengthen the role of media in building a sustainable society.

Summary

The Media Culture & Policy Lab investigates the complex interactions between people, media, and culture to foster social cohesion, inclusivity, and critical dialogue. The lab provides evidence-based insights into media challenges such as misinformation, polarization, echo chambers, and problematic internet use while developing interventions and tools to support social change. With a multidimensional approach combining qualitative, quantitative, and computational methods, as well as participatory and intercultural perspectives, the lab analyzes media phenomena from diverse angles. Collaboration with academic institutions, policymakers, and media professionals is a core component, ensuring that research findings translate into practical recommendations and ethical, inclusive media productions. Through innovative methodologies and strong partnerships, the lab contributes to inclusive media policies, societal progress, and a sustainable, better-informed society.