The MICT (‘Media and ICT’) research centre groups research groups from a broad domain of communication sciences. MICT combines fundamental research with applied and policy-oriented research, in the area of ICT (information and communications technology). The accent always lies on an interaction between media and ICT.

The focus here is on the end-user. Nevertheless, research also takes the vision and strategies of other actors in the innovation process into account, such has hard-and software producers, service providers, content providers and media institutions. MICT provides an important added value through its expertise in the area other regulatory policy, especially for policymakers.

Focus

The focal points of its research are:

Diffusion, implementation, adoption and acceptance of ICT

• Innovation vs. consumption patterns and lifestyles;
• The social consequences of ICT;
• Forecasting and assessment.

MICT has substantial expertise and know-how in the area of:

• The media economy;
• The operations and organisation of media institutions;
• ICT and traditional media;
• End-user research: Behaviour, needs, evaluation of products and services, time allocation and lifestyles.

This research group is especially strong in both quantitative and qualitative empirical research, among other things due to its extensive experience with methods from the social sciences.

Legal experience

• ICT and media legislation;
• ICT and advertising legislation;
• Telecommunications and cable transmission legislation;
• Copyright legislation and ICT.

Expertise in ICT policy questions

Projects

These three focus domains are closely interlinked with one another. The involved academics make contributions from the area of their specialisation to the joint projects. ZAP members are Els De Bens, Gino Verleye, Patrick Vyncke, Dirk Voorhoof and Frieda Saeys, and the guest professors Eric Van Heesvelde and Erik Dejonghe.

MICT participated in projects of the Fund for Scientific Research in Flanders (FWO), the Federal Agency for Scientific Policy, the Special Research Fund (BOF), the Institute for the Promotion of Innovation through Science & Technology in Flanders (IWT) and then King Badouin Foundation. Besides this, MICT has carried out numerous European projects.

This research group has worked together with such companies as Belgacom, Proximus, Telenet, the Belgian Association of Newspaper Publishers (BVDU), VRT, VT4 and other regional broadcasting companies, the Flemish Association of Journalists (VVJ), Sabam and La Régie Média Belge. It has also worked with such a government agencies as the Media and Innovation Agency of the Flemish government, the various information agencies of the Federal and Flemish government, and with the Ministry of Public Health.

Contactgegevens:

Website: http://www.mict.be/