When universities began to consolidate (hundreds of years ago), fields of research began to form. In Australia, researchers (and PhD students) need to identify how and where their research ‘fits’: This is called FoR (Field of Research code). The FOR is a hierarchical classification with three levels, Divisions (made up of 2 digits), Groups (4 digits) and Fields (6 digits). Each level is identified by a unique number.
Many of these descriptions were devised prior to the rise of digital media. For this reason, it may be hard to position your work in a field, especially if you are doing something a bit “cutting-edge”. You might be between disciplinary fields. If you are, this can be a strategic advantage in your future career.
How is the field of digital media understood?