MEDAS 21 – Media Development Assistance in the 21st Century

MEDAS 21 is a post graduate program concerned with various aspects of international media development assistance in the 21st century. The program’s academic home are three institutes of the University Alliance Ruhr (IfJ Dortmund, IfM Bochum, IfK Duisburg-Essen). MEDAS 21 is a post graduate program concerned with various aspects of international media development assistance in the 21st century. The program’s academic home are three institutes of the University Alliance Ruhr (IfJ Dortmund, IfM Bochum, IfK Duisburg-Essen) and the respective program initiators Prof Dr Susanne Fengler, Prof Dr Barbara Thomaß and Prof Dr Jens Loenhoff. Their perspectives combine journalism studies, media studies and communication studies, thus allowing for innovative theoretical approaches to international media development assistance in the 21st century. MEDAS 21 is at the intersection of academic theory and practical application with various “praxis partners” from the media development sector.

Currently, seven fellows from Germany, Brazil/Portugal, Switzerland and France are part of the MEDAS 21 international post graduate program pursuing their doctorates at the intersection of academic theory and practical application.

While conducting research projects in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa or the Indian subcontinent, the fellows entertain close relationships with media development practitioners from specific partner organizations: Deutsche Welle Akademie, Media in Cooperation and Transition, Konrad-Adenauer Foundation, Fondation Hirondelle, African Media Initiative, Catholic Media Council, Panos South Asia, Radio Netherlands Training Center and Eirene. Our fellows are also part of several academic networks such as the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) and its Media Development Sector Working Group, the European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA), the German Communication Association (DGPuK), the Société française des sciences de l’information et de la communication (SFSIC), the Groupe d’études et de recherches sur la radio (GRER). MEDAS 21 also works closely with the FoME (Forum Media and Development).

They engages on innovative theoretical approaches to the field of media development cooperation and focuses solutions to problems of practical relevance.

To see their ongoing project, visit here.