What do we do?

Teaching

The IPMZ teaches the fundamental theories and central research findings of mass communication and socio-scientific research methods. The Institute uses practice-based learning to give insights into the occupational fields associated with mass communication. More information is available here on the teaching activities and structure of the courses available.

The make-up of a mass-communication course and the corresponding requirements can be seen under "Courses" on the Institute's website.

Guidance on internships shows the conditions that need to be met by those taking their major subject at the Institute when venturing into the world of work for the first time.

Research

Current questions are examined empirically in five specialised areas of research. These are:

• Publicity, political communication, mediatisation
• Media structure, media economics, media politics
• Communication facilitators, media management, organisational communication and campaigns
• Media reality and media contribution
• Media usage, media reception and media effect

The IPMZ also contributes research findings to interdisciplinary projects carried out by the Swiss Centre for Studies on the Global Information Society at the University of Zurich (SwissGIS).

Several of the IPMZ's core research areas contribute to projects that draw international comparisons.

Projects underway in the previous year are listed in the academic report.

Services

The IPMZ performs services for other parties provided there is a public interest. The Institute develops and implements expert reports and communication concepts, analyses of media products, secondary research and evaluation of campaigns. In addition, IPMZ staff offer presentations, courses and workshops in their own specialised areas (see IPMZ transfer).

Our public library contains documents, books and journals from the whole field of mass communication and media research. It has all the relevant literature relating to the field in Switzerland. Its shelves also hold the latest editions of most of the daily newspapers and magazines.

Students at the IPMZ have access to an IT training room, PC workstations, video-viewing facilities and experimental laboratories (TV Internet and virtual-reality labs).