UQ to launch new Centre for Social Research in Communication

The University of Queensland is establishing a new research centre focusing on the social aspects of communication.

Taking a broader approach than most other Australian universities, the Centre for Social Research in Communication will bring together researchers from a range of disciplines including the social sciences, business, health science and the Arts.

The centre’s Executive Director Professor Cindy Gallois says there is a growing demand from policy makers and business for research into the impact of communication and new communication technology on social interactions, health care delivery, knowledge and organisational life.

“Communication studies in Australia has traditionally meant only the field of journalism along with media studies and business communication,” Professor Gallois said.

“However UQ is unique in Australia in that we also have expertise in many other sub-fields of communication, such as health, organisational, interpersonal, intergroup and mass communication.

“The idea of this centre is to bridge institutional barriers and bring these researchers together both physically and intellectually, and with government, business and community groups.”

The Centre will be established within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences but will also include researchers from other Faculties including Health Sciences; Business, Economics and Law; and Arts.

As well as undertaking research, the centre will coordinate some of the new specialised post-graduate teaching programs in communications.

“The new undergraduate degree in Communication, to be introduced in 2003, is another initiative by UQ that will also add to the international profile of UQ in this field” Professor Gallois said.

The centre is funded by university, faculty, and external sources.

Media: for more information, please contact Professor Gallois (tel. 07 3365 6417) or Peter McCutcheon at UQ Communications (07 3365 1088 or 0413 380 012)