The Center for Studies of Media Development at Wuhan University（CSMD）

The Center for Studies of Media Development (CSMD) at Wuhan University is dedicated to the discovery and creation of innovative new paths in communication studies. Established in 2002, the CSMD was recognized as a Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences by China’s Ministry of Education in 2004. Since then, the CSMD has been a hub for strong domestic and international talents to carry out evidence-based research, construct information databases, provide media consulting services, and foster international academic exchange. 

Intercultural Communication Research

Intercultural communication research is grounded in the need for free and open communication between humans. As part of our work, the CSMD offers analytical accounts of social structures comprised of multiple intercultural contexts. This is done with a view to provide unique and implementable strategies for the preservation of cultural diversity and the facilitation of intercultural dialogue. Another important dimension of our research is showing how power dynamics inform intercultural relationships. By shedding light on the ways in which power influences our relations, the CSMD attempts to plot a path towards the goal of universal human communication. The CSMD also takes an interest in how different researchers from different cultural contexts understand what is meant by intercultural communicative rationality. Through a combination of scholarly dialogue and detailed investigation into the historical processes of intercultural communication, we aim to develop a more holistic and representative account of rationality in intercultural communication. The CSMD currently produces two publications dealing with issues in Intercultural Communication: the academic journal, Intercultural Communication Studies, and the book series, Intercultural Communication Research. The CSMD has also co-published the essay collection, The Ethics of Intercultural Communication.

Communication Innovation Research

Communication innovation research explores the core problems of Chinese communication and social development. We regularly publish our findings in our essay collection, Communication Innovation Research, as well as our annual report,Blue Book of Communication Innovation: Annual Report on China’s Communication Innovation. In addition to the above, the CSMD also produces the following book series: Journalism, Communication and the Mediatization of Society; Journalism, Communication and the Construction of a Harmonious Society Research; Truth Seeking on Luojia Hill; Journalism and Communication Studies: Problems and Methods.

A Platform for Academic Exchange

The CSMD has a strong tradition of academic exchange. Our own platforms for academic exchange include: The International Conference on Intercultural Communication (ICIC); The Comparative Communication Study International Symposium (CCSIS); and The Forum on Communication Innovation in China. We also run academic workshops throughout the year which contribute to our role as a platform for meaningful academic dialogue. The CSMD strives to connect Chinese and Western research institutes, to hold regional conferences, and to deepen academic dialogue on a number of central issues in communications. Using "cloud based" technology, we have organized a series of multi-modal academic discussions (known as the "cloud based dialogues"). In doing so, the CSMD frequently invites established scholars to discuss and debate their new research. This takes place under the banner of "Luojia Wen Dao· Lecture Series ".

High-End Talent Training 

The CSMD provides comprehensive talent training for its graduate students and visiting scholars. We also offer cooperative research programs for post-doctoral researchers. We complement our talent development system with academic workshops, summer camps (for example our "Intercultural-cultural communication summer camp" held in cooperation with University of Gothenburg in Sweden), reading groups, and symposiums for doctoral candidates.

Consulting Services

The CSMD provides a wide-range of organizations with the theoretical support needed to drive Chinese media and social development. Our consulting services include: media surveys; data mining; personnel training; and media strategy planning.

To learn more about our programs, please visit us at http://media.whu.edu.cn/ or scan the QR code below. Alternatively, you can contact our office director, Jincao Xiao, at 0086-27-68756616 and whucsmd@163.com.