The Research programme in Media Studies takes an interdisciplinary perspective in examining media as carriers of multimodal information aimed at specific audiences. This perspective stresses cultural practices of attributing meaning, while also acknowledging the effects of technology and social and institutional forces on media content and functions. The programme's historical scope covers the development of film, television and digital media. Contemporary approaches to the study of media include the convergence of media and information technologies, and infrastructures and the digitisation of culture.

While the programme emphasises multimedia that unfold over time (film, TV), it also addresses ‘static' media (such as photography, cartoons, film posters, comics) - both as predecessors of the former media type and as representations that can yield indispensable insights for the theorisation of contemporary multimedia. While the field's disciplinary roots can be traced to philosophy, history and literary (discourse) analysis, their convergence in media studies has resulted in comprehensive theoretical approaches which help explain the increasing influence of media in contemporary culture.

Studying Media Studies at the University of Amsterdam

Participating staff members are generally specialised in a specific medium as well as involved in the further development of media theory and media research methodologies.