Research Lines
The FRAME Research Centre organises its research activities around five interconnected research lines. These bring together expertise in digital media, creative technologies, cultural studies, media arts and social research to investigate the transformations shaping contemporary culture and society.
Research Lines:
Digital Media and Production
This research line investigates the transformation of media environments, communication practices and audiovisual production. It explores how digital technologies and media convergence influence the creation, distribution and consumption of information and cultural content.
Key topics include:
- Digital Media Studies and Digital Media Production
- Film and Narrative Studies
- Media Convergence and Digital Communication
- Digital storytelling and transmedia narratives
- Digital public spheres and online communication
- Media ethics and regulation
- Digital platforms and contemporary media ecosystems
Creative Technologies and Artificial Intelligence
This research line explores the role of emerging technologies in creative practice, communication and cultural production. It investigates the relationship between human creativity and computational systems, with particular attention to artificial intelligence and the social and ethical implications of technological innovation.
Key topics include:
- Digital creativity and New Media
- Artificial Intelligence-generated content and Generative Media
- Human-machine interaction
- AI ethics and governance
- Automation in digital industries
- Creative technologies and computational approaches
- Technology-enhanced creative practices
Cultural Studies and Digital Heritage
This research line examines cultural identity, memory and heritage in contemporary digital environments. It explores the relationship between history, language, culture and technology, with particular attention to intercultural dialogue and the historical connections between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Key topics include:
- Cultural memory and identity
- Chino-Lusophone cultural studies
- History and Heritage Studies
- Intercultural dialogue and cultural exchange
- Digital archives and digital storytelling
- Cultural sustainability and heritage preservation
- Digital humanities and cultural documentation
Media Arts and Immersive Experiences
This research line investigates new forms of artistic expression and audience engagement through digital media and interactive technologies. It promotes experimentation with immersive environments, audiovisual practices and interactive systems.
Key topics include:
- Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
- Interactive installations and digital art
- Digital cinema and audiovisual experimentation
- Sound design and immersive audio
- Creative coding and interactive systems
- Immersive storytelling and digital experiences
- Emerging forms of media arts and creative expression
Society, Media Technology and Ethics
This research line examines the social, cultural and ethical implications of technological transformation. It investigates how digital media and communication technologies influence individuals, communities, institutions and contemporary societies.
Key topics include:
- The impact of technology on society
- Ethical issues in media technology
- Responsible use of media technology
- Media literacy and digital participation
- Digital misinformation and online polarisation
- Technology, culture and social transformation
- Environmental and societal dimensions of technological development
Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration
The five research lines are complementary and encourage collaboration across the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, particularly between Media, Art and Technology; Languages and Culture; and History and Heritage. The Centre also welcomes collaboration with other academic disciplines, research institutions, industry partners, cultural organisations and international research networks.
