Research at CEMESO investigates the role of culture and communication in social life. From this perspective, CEMESO examines how mass media, arts, education and other institutions contribute to the construction, reproduction, negotiation and contestation of meanings in social life. Symbolic representations are the entry point for research at CEMESO. The production, distribution and use of symbolic resources make up our research field. CEMESO is involved in both academic and policy research projects that contribute to human emancipation and to sustainable forms of empowerment, fairness and democracy. Through its research and engagement, CEMESO articulates a social commentary on media and culture in contemporary society.
Symbolic representations of the world are CEMESO entry point to research. From this perspective, different research questions are addressed.
- How are symbolic resources shaped by economic, political and other interests in society and how are they used to articulate social relations?
- How do individuals, communities and organisations use symbolic resources to make sense of themselves and others?
- How can people influence processes of representation and act upon society, through policy, social activism or individual action?
Research at CEMESO currently covers the following themes:
- young people, media literacy and media education;
- cross cultural perspectives on media and culture;
- mass media as factors of social inequality;
- culture and communication in the Brussels metropolitan context