Media Innovation and Data Communication

Unique Features

Program Objectives

The program will guide students how to: 

• Articulate knowledge at the cutting edge of new media, data analysis and communication, and visualization. 
• Explore, evaluate, and create new formats, tools, and ventures to investigate research questions through qualitative and quantitative methods in all stages of data collection, transformation, analysis, and communication in the service of multimedia storytelling. 
• Use emerging technologies and techniques of information and data design; visual communication and cognitive science; data analysis and visualization; photography, documentary, and visual storytelling; virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality; social media; computer science; and more. 
• Add valuable insight to the conversation around new media and data storytelling through external engagement with the community driving media innovation. 
• Evaluate and critique media products, platforms, and projects based on principles of democracy and equity, and on ethics, history, and cultures of media innovation. 
• Examine the role of media technologies in practices of knowledge production and society. 
• Drawing on scholarly literature, articulate arguments for relevant theoretical and critical positions that relate to issues of inclusivity, diversity, and social goods.

Career Outlook

The School of Journalism in the College of Arts, Media and Design has trained many students in diverse skill and knowledge areas, including in data reporting and visualization, web development, podcasting, analytics, and experimental video, including augmented and virtual reality. In the last few years students have interned at The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, The Marshall Project, PBS’s NOVA, WGBH’s Frontline, Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting, WBUR’s Innovation Hub, NPR’s On Point, WGBH’s Basic Black, and The Bay State Banner. Our students have also written for The New York Times, Roll Call, Washington Post, WGBH News, Undark Magazine, Columbia Journalism Review, Smithsonian Magazine, and InsideClimate News.
 
School of Journalism alumni have gone on to jobs at places such as National Public Radio, The Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Texas Tribune, VTDigger, Arizona Republic, Business Insider, Indianapolis Star, CBS Interactive, and NJ.com. They have also successfully leveraged the broad learning offered within the degree to go into nonprofit communications, digital marketing, and product development.