Media and communication studies
Media and communication studies analyses related phenomena in organisations, society and culture. Key fields of research include changes in media and the public sphere, promotional culture, political communication, communication policy, science communication, the global media landscape, crisis communication and the philosophy of communication.
Researchers in media and communication studies collaborate with colleagues from a variety of fields, and utilise international networks in their research projects. The aim is not only to produce high-quality research, but also to engage with society and participate actively in public discussion.
Description of the discipline
Media and communication play a central role in the activities of various institutions and organisations. Modern democracies are based on public discussion, political communication and the creation of imagined communities. Companies, NGOs and other institutions need media and communication to make themselves visible and promote their goals. Organisations also need media and communication to increase the commitment and engagement of their staff or activists. Media – both traditional and new digital media – maintain public spaces in which key social issues are addressed and negotiated. Media and communication are also closely connected to the exercise of power which is communicative in modern societies: the pen is mightier than the sword.
Media and communication studies explores the above social phenomena from diverse and critical perspectives by analysing the role and methods of media and communication as well as related social changes. The discipline examines topics including media activities and presentations, journalism and political communication, communication policy, organisational communication, promotional communication, and science communication.
Research profile
At the University of Helsinki, media and communication studies covers a wide range of research.
- The public sphere
- Media
- Organisational communication
- Political communication
- Communication policy
- Science communication
Research projects
Some of the projects listed below are only in Finnish.
- Johanna Sumiala, Mediatized Religious Populism (MERELPO), Academy of Finland, 2021–2025
- Mervi Pantti, MAPS Media platforms and social accountability: Dynamics, practices and discourses, Academy of Finland, 2020–2024
- Mervi Pantti: NORDIS Nordic observatory for digital media and information disorders, European Commission 2021–2023, Twitter account: @nordishub
- Johanna Sumiala, The Nordic Network of Religion, Media and Populism (NOREMPO). The Joint Committee for the Nordic Research Councils in the Humanities and Social Sciences (NOS-HS) 2021—2023
- Esa Väliverronen, Mediating expertise (MEX) consortium
- Marko Ampuja, Conjunctural Changes in Information Technological Innovation Discourses, Academy of Finland 2017—2022.
- Juha Herkman, Communication Rights in the Age of Digital Disruption (CORDI), Academy of Finland, 2018–2022
- Mervi Pantti, RAISD Reshaping and inclusion strategies for distinctively vulnerable people among the forcibly displaced, Horizon 2020, 2019-2022
- Anu Kantola, Tackling Biases and Bubbles in Participation, Strategic Research Council 2017–2021
- Juha Herkman, Mainstreaming Populism in the 21st Century, Academy of Finland 2017–2021
- Johanna Sumiala, Hybridi terrori. Terroristinen väkivalta globaalina mediatapahtumana - kohti uutta tutkimusmallia, HYTE (in Finnish), Academy of Finland 2017–2021
- Janne Matikainen, Tunteet pelissä: Median auktoriteetti ja yleisön luottamus (in Finnish), Helsingin Sanomain Säätiö 2019–2020
- Mervi Pantti, Racisms and public communications in the hybrid media environment, HYBRA (in Finnish), Academy of Finland 2016–2019
- Juha Herkman, Representations of the Nordic Populism, Academy of Finland 2013–2018
- Johanna Sumiala, Diginuoruus Mediakaupungissa - Urbaanietnografisia avauksia Helsingin ja Pietarin kaduilla ja asemilla, Kone Foundation 2016–2018
- Kari Karppinen, Changing ideologies of media and communication policy, Academy of Finland 2014–2018
- Anu Kantola, KAMU: Kaikki mukaan? Avoin hallinto ja uudet osallistumismuodot (in Finnish), Kone Foundation 2015–2017
- Mervi Pantti, Tieto ja tunteet pakolaiskeskustelussa - Big data -tutkimus vuonna 2015 käynnistyneen pakolaiskriisin julkisuudesta, Helsingin Sanomain Säätiö 2016–2017
Degree programmes that offer teaching in media and communication studies
Community relations and public engagement
Media and communication studies researchers cooperate with organisations in the field as well as with political and governmental actors, NGOs, research institutes and researchers in Finland and abroad. They engage with the public in various ways, for example, by producing research, commenting on current phenomena in the media and public debate, writing columns and blogs, giving popular lectures, and offering expert assistance and training for various communication-related issues.
Practical courses taught by professionals in the field also help maintain connections with the community. Alumni activities promote contacts with former students who are now in the job market.
Blogs, websites and social media channels
Here you can find some blogs (in Finnish) by our staff and partners. Follow us to learn about current hot topics!
- Mediayhteiskunta-blog
- The “Media society” blog written by Esa Väliverronen, professor of media and communication studies
- Janne Matikainen
- The blog written by Janne Matikainen, docent of media and communication studies, on phenomena in the online world
- #P3 Platform
- The P3 Publics, Politics & Promotion research group comments on public life and activities.
- Rajapinta
- The “Interface” blog on digital research
- Petro Poutanen
- Petro Poutanen, a media and communication studies researcher and consultant, writes on organisational communication and creativity.
- Media & Viestintä
Contact information
Postal and street address
PO Box 54 (Unioninkatu 37)
00014 University of Helsinki
Information for media and press
Services for press and media