Faculty from Northwestern University in Qatar presented their research at the annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) conference. AEJMC is the premiere association in the United States for journalism and mass communication education and research.
“Research conducted by NU-Q faculty continues to contribute significantly to international research taking place among the leading universities in the world. From our leading research on communications in the Middle East through usage and by industries, to the broader topics on freedom of expression and media law and policy, our faculty are leading voices in communication and journalism research,” said Dean Everette E. Dennis.
During a panel on "Media Use & Media Production in the Middle East: Results from Longitudinal Surveys and an Inventory of Media Industries,” Klaus Schöenbach, associate dean for research at NU-Q, discussed NU-Q’s region-wide study, Media Industries in the Middle East, 2016, that showed an increased and continued consolidation of media production in Arab media hubs like Cairo, UAE, and Lebanon. [View the full report: Media Industries in the Middle East]
The panel also discussed the 4th annual media use survey, which examines media and communication behavior, and political and cultural attitudes in the Middle East. Among the key findings in this year’s survey were that soaring internet connectivity in the region has provided for more digital options and consumers in the region now use more Arabic content and less English. [View the full report: Media Use in the Middle East]
“From our leading research on communications in the Middle East through usage and by industries, to the broader topics on freedom of expression and media law and policy, our faculty are leading voices in communication and journalism research”
Joining Schöenbach on the panel was Justin D. Martin, assistant professor, journalism; Ilhem Allagui, associate professor, journalism; and Marium Saeed, research assistant.
Amy Sanders, associate professor in residence, journalism also participated in several panels at the convention. Sander, who has PhD in mass communication law, as well as a law degree, is an expert on legal issues in the fields of journalism and communication. Sanders participated in three panels: Comparative Law in the Classroom — Internationalizing Your Instruction; the Freedom of Information Act 50 Years Late: Is The U.S. Law Still Serving as the Touchstone?; and the Internationalization of Media Law and Policy.
Justin D. Martin, also presented a paper “Media use predictors of online political efficacy among internet users in five Arab countries," which was developed with NU-Q students Ralph Martins and Shageaa Naqvi. Martins, a graduate of the Class of 2016, joined Martin for the presentation.
Also presenting a paper on a faculty/student research project is Susan Dun, assistant professor in residence, and Syed Owais Ali, a recent NU-Q graduate. The paper, “Enabling Tailored Message Campaigns: Discovering and Targeting the Attitudes and Behaviors of Young Arab Male Drivers,” is based on a study aimed at discovering the driving attitudes and behavioral intentions of young Arab men. Dun is also participating in a panel on women, sports, and media – “From Kane to Cooky and Beyond: Research on Women, Sport and Media.”
Among AEJMC goals are the encouragement of communication research as well as defending and maintaining “freedom of communication in an effort to achieve better professional practice, a better informed public, and wider human understanding.” Its annual conference feature sessions, panels, and workshops on the latest research, teaching methods and public service in journalism and mass communication.
MEDIA USE IN THE MIDDLE EAST RESEARCH
