Mission Statement

The University of Zurich's IPMZ - Institute of Mass Communication and Media Research conducts research and passes on the results both to students and in the form of services to other parties.

The focus of its scientific activities lies with the characteristics, structures and processes of public media communication within society.

Aims and tasks

It is the aim of the IPMZ to be a leading research institution for mass communication and communication studies in Switzerland and in other German-speaking countries. Its scientific activities are oriented towards the International scientific community and the political and cultural particularities of Switzerland. The IPMZ is committed to the highest scientific standards and allows its research, teaching and services to other parties to be evaluated on a regular basis.

The IPMZ's main business is the fundamental research it carries out in the field of mass communication and communication studies. It also provides services to other parties in the form of further education and application-based research. Students studying at the Institute receive a well-grounded education in mass communication and communication studies.

The IPMZ is committed to a socio-scientific approach. It encourages interdisciplinary research, regularly applies to take part in national and international research projects, has links to scientific institutions in Switzerland and beyond and is an organiser of prestigious scientific conventions. The research activities of its members are published in the important domestic and International journals.

Students and staff

All members of the IPMZ are committed to a responsible, critical and transparent approach to science. Their scientific activities are not affected by outside interests.

The Institute expects its students and staff to demonstrate both a high degree of autonomy and willingness to share responsibility in its aims and duties. All those connected with the Institute are encouraged to share their interests with it, while their views are taken into account in all relevant areas of decision making.

Both the teaching and the content of the courses offered to IPMZ students are of a high quality. The IPMZ endeavours to be an attractive choice for the best students from Switzerland and abroad.

The IPMZ strives to offer the best possible working conditions to its employees. In return it requires from them an ability to co-operate as part of a team. Senior employees work in an environment that encourages openness with information and a participatory leadership culture. Performance evaluations as well as information, discussion and further education events, which serve to improve the quality of research, teaching and professional development, take place on a regular basis.

The IPMZ employment policy is based on the principles of transparency and equality of opportunity. The Institute is working to increase the number of women in teaching and research.

Social responsibility

The IPMZ sees itself as providing a service to the public. The Institute regularly evaluates itself via its activities and services and actively takes part in public debate.

The IPMZ seeks to make contact and work together with representatives from civil society, including those from a formal business, political or cultural background. The Institute, nevertheless, keeps a critical distance from special interest groups.