DOCGLS-2024-01: Crosscultural Media and Communication Studies

Crosscultural Media and Communication is a research topic that studies contemporary media and communication across cultures. It proposes to study cultural phenomena and media production and develop a critical perspective on how modern, technological-based mixed media represent and shape society and their impact on individuals, not only on a local or national level but in a cross-cultural and transversal perspective. At USJ, we are particularly interested in how interactions between the fundamental components of modern communication (media institutions, their contents and messages, and their audiences or public) generate cultural meaning.

Principal Supervisor: José Manuel da Silva Simões(jmsimoes@usj.edu.mo)

Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

DOCGLS-2024-02: Crosscultural Creative Design

Design is a research topic that studies the human experience with its environment and proposes roads for improvements. The design practice continuously evolves on both ends: in the industrial fields, where it is becoming increasingly fundamental and by its methodology, practice and the technological tools available to imagine the future of human-to-machine interfaces. This research field offers to dive into the cross-cultural concepts and philosophical methodologies as well as the inherent technological practices that modern design approaches allow us. At USJ, we are focusing our work on topics such as Human-centered Design, Interaction Design, Enabling Technology and Interactivity, or Digital Prototyping.

Principal Supervisor: Carlos Caires(carlos.caires@usj.edu.mo)

Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

DOCGLS-2024-03: Human-Centered Design, Art & Technology

The field of Human-Centered Design, Art, and Technology focuses on understanding user interactions with digital and physical products and systems to develop impactful solutions. At USJ, our research centres on HCD, Art, and Technology, where digital interaction systems enhance user experience and usability. Our design research, which encompasses art and design studies, shapes early-age digital interactions and addresses evolving educational needs. We prioritize creativity, technology, collaboration, and AI integration to enhance digital systems. Technology facilitates immersive digital environments, aiding learning. Our studies encompass multimodal digital environments, integrating AI-driven elements to foster learning and creativity in the younger generation. By observing interactions with technology-driven interfaces, behaviours, cultural concepts, and creative outcomes, we conduct experimental studies using screen-based multi-touch platforms and technology-powered digital systems to support learning. Our focus is on creating multimodal digital environments that emphasize digital inclusion and recognize the significance of AI-driven systems in the lives of the younger generation.

Principal Supervisor: Filipa Martins(filipa.martins@usj.edu.mo)

Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

DOCGLS-2024-04: Global Media, Art and Technology

At the crossroads of Media, Arts and Technology, this research field is at the forefront of new and future interdisciplinary paradigms and interactive art experiences. This field proposed a theoretical approach and an artistic practice based on media and digital technology by combining advanced technology with digital media and physical interfaces. USJ mainly focuses on Interactive Digital Multimedia, Creative and Artistic Programming, Interactive System Design, Artificial Intelligence-based Art, and general artistic-cultural post-digital Artefacts.

Principal Supervisor: Adérito Marcos(aderito.marcos@usj.edu.mo)

Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

DOCGLS-2024-05: Global Specialised Languages – Terminology and Translation

The translation of specialised languages is becoming one of the leading research topics in the field of translation nowadays. International commerce and globalisation led to a need to translate the professional language used in various scientific and professional areas. At USJ, the focus on this topic aims to develop the research of specialised languages by investigating the many text genres associated with them. Focusing on topics like the development and translation of instruction manuals, medical texts, governmental documents, political speeches, and judicial documents, researchers are expected to develop a corpus-based investigation that focuses on the most used terminology and the complexities of the process of translation of such texts in Portuguese speaking countries and China. The main objective of such research is to help establish a global database of knowledge about specialised languages so that researchers and translators worldwide can easily access information about this field's peculiarities.

Principal Supervisor: Nuno Rocha(nuno.rocha@usj.edu.mo)

Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

DOCGLS-2024-06: Chinese-Portuguese Culture Videogames Studies

Videogames have become a cultural phenomenon in the last few years. Being the fastest-growing area in the entertainment industry based on the growth rate over the last decade, it has also become the most lucrative sector in the entertainment industry. With several developers creating videogames based on elements of their own traditional culture and myths, this research field aims to develop a study of the cultural aspects of Portuguese/Lusophone or Chinese culture present in nowadays videogames. This research seeks to establish a global database of information about the cultural elements and development process of existing videogames and the ones in development. Researchers are also encouraged to develop their own plans for creating a videogame focused on their own culture (Portuguese/Lusophone or Chinese) based on the research they have done and the areas they deem worthy of such investment.

Principal Supervisor: Nuno Rocha(nuno.rocha@usj.edu.mo)

Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

DOCGLS-2024-07: Transnational Legal studies

Global interaction and integration have led to a rethinking of norms, institutions and processes governing inter-states and inter-institutions relationships. New actors have also emerged, and their role in building transnational norms and institutions has been remarkable. This area of research offers students the opportunity to conduct both empirical and legal doctrinal research on different topics, such as Legal issues in China and Africa Relations; Emerging global civil society organisations and their role in creating norms; International Dispute Resolution: Prospects and challenges; Law and technology - applications, trends and governance.

Principal Supervisor: Ansoumane Douty Diakite(doutyk@usj.edu.mo)

Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

DOCGLS-2024-08: Comparative Philosophy

Comparative philosophy aims at exploring major issues and concepts across different cultures. This exploration is done by investigating philosophical texts' intellectual, historical and cultural backgrounds. Special emphasis is placed on East-Asian philosophy through the texts of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism. Those schools of thought will be explored by those who wish to study topics such as ethics, reality, knowledge and self comparatively.

Principal Supervisor: Edmond Eh(edmond_eh@usj.edu.mo)

Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

DOCGLS-2024-09: Global Environmental Ethics

Our planet and the global human family need just and sustainable forms of living together in view of respecting the planetary guard rails. The research explores ethical questions about global environmental challenges, climate justice, resilience, etc. Strategic principles are explored in view of enabling societies to reach a sustainable development path, like efficiency, consistency, and sufficiency. Potentials and contributions of spiritual and religious values and resources for sufficiency given a sustainable development path in modern societies are also a primary research focus. Research Questions include the following issues: Global Environmental Justice (e.g. climate justice; equitable emission budget per person per year, etc.); Relevance and interplay of the principles of efficiency, consistency, and sufficiency for a Sustainable Development Path; Contribution of wisdom traditions, spirituality, and religious values for sustainable development; Individual and institutional promotion of Food Waste Prevention for Sustainable Development Path; Resources and Energy Ethics.

Principal Supervisor: Franz Gassner(franz.gassner@usj.edu.mo)

Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

DOCGLS-2024-10: Global Creative and Cultural Industries

With the globalisation of information and communication technologies and the growth in the flow of people between countries, creativity and culture play an increasingly important role in the local and global economy, producing innovative products with internationalisation potential, fostering entrepreneurship, producing wealth and generating employment. From the perspective of culture and creativity, globalisation and location are not antagonistic social phenomena and practices and can coexist with societal advantages. The concern for strengthening local identities and cultures also appears as a "reflux" of the globalisation process, and they are an integral part of the same social process. In this context, this line of study will produce knowledge from a global and local - "glocal" - perspective, making it possible to share ideas and experiences on innovation, business models, digital strategies, entrepreneurship, new projects, funding opportunities and public policies in the creative and cultural industries. This knowledge can be used to find answers to new social challenges, such as creating new, more economically and environmentally sustainable businesses, strengthening and improving existing ones, creating job opportunities for young creatives and entrepreneurs, and enhancing the expression and affirmation of local cultures in a global context. At USJ, we envisage that the research in this area focuses on analysing continuities and changes in the creative and cultural industries sectors in various domains: political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental. The aim is to stimulate the intensive valorisation of creative, cultural and territorial resources, as well as the corresponding economic and social fabric, to generate technical, scientific and technological knowledge, especially in the relevant areas of the creative and cultural industries, companies and organisations with market approaches in local and global dimensions.

Principal Supervisor: João Paulo de Jesus Faustino(joao.paulo@usj.edu.mo),Adérito Marcos(aderito.marcos@usj.edu.mo)

Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

DOCGLS-2024-11: Hybrid Immersive Media applied to Cultural Heritage

Despite the advances of technology in 3D modelling and photography, illustration and especially scientific illustration, remains an essential part of Cultural Heritage documentation and dissemination, for instance, in specialised scientific communication, museum documentation, or even in the area of commercial tourism. Hybrid immersive media is an emerging art field between physical and digital that brings new opportunities for the visual documentation of architecture and cultural heritage in a way that joins the specific strengths of handmade scientific illustration with the power of VR and AR visualisations. At USJ, we are ready to work with researchers specialising in cultural heritage, providing equipment and know-how to find how this emerging technology can serve cultural heritage studies.

Principal Supervisor: António Araújo(antonio.araujo@usj.edu.mo),Adérito Marcos(aderito.marcos@usj.edu.mo)

Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Last Updated: January 24, 2024 at 1:42 pm