The organisational structure of the Institute is based on two principle subject areas – the field of Communication Science and the field of Law – where the latter is not only focused on legal matters as such, but also on research concerning regulatory structures. Interdisciplinary research in cooperation with computer science is also of increasing importance for the Institute. Furthermore, the Institute is actively involved in several international research networks.
Research Programme 1 “Transformation of Public Communication: Journalistic and Intermediary Functions in the Process of Opinion Formation” focuses on the transformation processes of media-based public communication as a consequence of the digitalisation of media production, distribution, and usage.
Research Programme 2 “Regulatory Structures and the Emergence of Rules in Online Spaces” addresses questions concerning the social order that arise in the process of digitalisation.
Research Programme 3 “Knowledge for the Media Society” identifies specific research questions in close cooperation with stakeholders from various spheres of society and concentrates thematically on four areas of competence: a) Growing up in Digital Media Environments and the Protection of Minors, b) Public Service and Public Value, c) Health Communication, and d) Media History.
The services offered by the Institute include the library and the scientific journal “Medien & Kommunikationswissenschaft” (M&K) [Media & Communication Studies].
