SMIT, created in 1990, deals with
both policy and user studies in media and ICTs, as well as convergence
between telecommunications and broadcasting. Research is undertaken at
the regional level, (Flanders), the national (Belgium), the European and
world-wide (third world problems). In all, 38 research projects have been
completed within the framework of fundamental and applied social research
on the information society.
Role in the
network
Top
SMIT will develop a research project
on Youth and e-commerce: creating consumerism and takes responsibility
for leading the program on Living and Working in the Information Society.
SMIT is experienced in both, the former drawing on past and ongoing research
on use and acceptance of ICTs in residential markets and SOHO's as well
as on supply-side and policy research on convergence. The latter can draw
on SMITs' welfare policy research, consultancy and EC project refereeing
on information society projects.
Recent and
relevant research
Top
Media, signification and information.
The mediatization of the public sphere: between dualization and democratization;
1996-2000, CeMeSo (Centre for Media Sociology) and SMIT in collaboration
with Centre for Sociology; funded by the Flemish Ministry for Education,
Concerted Research Action. A one year subproject starting January 1999
deals with Youth and their use of Internet, and will be fruitful for the
Postdoc and for WP1.
Interdisciplinary research and evaluation
of the information society: networks, usages and role of the state; 1997-2001,
Inter-university Attraction Pole - UIAP, in collaboration with FUNDP-Namur
and LENTIC-Liège; funded by DWTC (Federal Office for Scientific,
Technical and Cultural Affairs).
Socio-economical and regulatory preconditions
for the innovation of multimedia services in Flanders; 1997-2000; funded
by Medialab - IWT (Flemish Institute for the Advancement of Scientific-technological
Research in Industry).
Constructive Technology Assessment
and the Implementation of New Information Technologies: a user-oriented
analysis; 1994-1998; funded by the Research Council (OZR) of the Free University
Brussels (VUB).
Co-editor of Communication, Citizenship
and Social Policy; Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc: Lanham, Boulder,
New York, Oxford, 1999.
Social Learning in Multimedia - Targeted
Social Economic Research, 1997-1999, in co-operation with CITA - Namur,
funded by EU - DG XII.
L'implication des utilisateurs dans
le développement de projets télématiques: du guide
au réseau, INUI-Information Network on User Involvement, 1997-1999,
funded by DWTC.
Structure
and infrastructure
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SMIT has collaborated and continues
to do so with other EMTEL partners: LENTIC and ASCOR. SMIT is partner
in ENCIP network (European Network on Communication & Information Perspectives);
in NETEPS (Network on European Communications Policy and the Peripheral
Regions/Small Countries); and in BCAS (Brussels Centre for African Studies).
Principal
Researchers
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1. Prof. Dr. Jean-Claude Burgelman
(Director SMIT)
2. Ass. Prof. Dr. Carolien Pauwels
3. Dr. Yves Punie
4. Phd. Researcher Jo Pierson
