Geomedia

News

• 2024-11-04

  New research about the relationship between place and media strengthens degree programme at Karlstad University

  – Our research makes a valuable contribution to the students’ work in designing places for tourism, where we demonstrate the importance of working with place-based digital development in harmony with places and people, says Lotta Braunerhielm, docent in human geography at Karlstad University.

  Geomedia research looks at the relationship between places and media and how they affect each other. The tourism industry, and tourism in general, has in recent years been heavily impacted by digitalisation and development has been primarily technology-driven. To gain a better understanding of the digital development between places and people, Lotta Braunerhielm and Fredrik Hoppstadius, senior lecturer in human geography at Karlstad University, have carried out a literature study covering 2,480 publications.

• 2024-10-16

  Integrating people, place and technology enhances the appeal of tourist destinations

  The tourism industry has been characterised by digitalisation for quite a few years. At the same time, the challenge has been that development has primarily been technology-driven. Geomedia researchers at Karlstad University want to focus on the places and their history and highlight them.

  Lotta Braunerhielm, Laila Gibson and Linda Ryan Bengtsson, all of them from the Centre for Geomedia Studies at Karlstad University, have written the paper “Geomedia Perspectives for Multiple Futures in Tourism Development” where they explore the relationship between people and places.

• 2024-10-01

  The backlash of digitalisation – a red-hot topic

  It is referred to as “digital backlash” – the dissatisfaction with what our digital existence has become. Karin Fast, professor of media and communication studies, is one of the editors of the new book “The Digital Backlash and the Paradoxes of Disconnection”.

  Karin Fast, please explain “digital backlash”

• 2024-08-12

  Mette Mortensen, new Ander Visiting Professor in Geomedia Studies

  Mette Mortensen is a professor of media studies at the University of Copenhagen with a doctorate in art and literature and an interdisciplinary background with a Master’s in literary history. Mette’s focus has long been the relationship between images and power.

  Mette, what do you find interesting about the research field of Geomedia?

  – I find it both interesting and inspiring that Geomedia looks at media in a societal, cultural and technological context.

• 2024-06-17

  Digital walking trail can draw attention to what is happening in Sápmi

  The research project “Sámi ‘Trail of Tears’ Walking Trail” has now been completed. Richard Ek, professor of human geography and project leader, talks about the importance of the control being with the indigenous population and that the culture surrounding Sápmi is extremely important in keeping the stories surrounding the forced displacement of the Sámi alive.

  – Our findings have confirmed what we’ve known all along, Richard Ek explains. Control of walking trails and guided tours must belong with the indigenous peoples. Experiences within the project from Australia in particular clearly show this. What is happening in Sápmi today with industrial forestry, wind power and the expansion of mining is reminiscent of what is happening and has happened in South Africa and Australia where the consequences of colonialisation are still evident today.

• 2024-03-28

  Crisis communication with an “invisible” population

  People who own or have access to a holiday home are called “the invisible population” because they can be difficult to reach in the event of a crisis. Geomedia researchers at Karlstad University emphasise the importance of increasing the knowledge regarding how crisis communication from authorities needs to reach temporary populations.

  Holiday homes are a significant part of Swedish tourism. There are approximately 660,000 holiday homes in Sweden, and about half of the population have access to one – either by owning one or using one that is owned by family or friends.