SMIT - Studies in Media, Innovation & Technology

As a social science research group, SMIT is dedicated to cutting-edge research and innovation in digital media, communication, and technology. With a focus on digital society, media economics, and policy studies, SMIT offers insights into technology's impact on society and business, equipping stakeholders with strategic foresight and actionable intelligence. Through interdisciplinary approaches, SMIT translates research insights into tangible recommendations for governments, companies, schools, and citizens.

Context Research Group

SMIT is a Social Science & Humanities (SSH) Research Centre at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and IMEC, boasting over 150 researchers, making it one of the largest SSH research centers in Europe. Their work spans various themes such as digital society, media economics, and policy studies. They employ rigorous analysis and interdisciplinary approaches to understand emerging trends and challenges in technology's evolving landscape.

Aim

SMIT aims to explore the intricate dynamics between technology and human behavior, focusing on areas like digital inclusion, ethics & privacy, user experience, human-computer interaction, and citizen engagement. They strive to deepen the understanding of consumer needs and behavior in the digital age, offering businesses opportunities to refine market strategies and enhance user experiences.

Vision and Mission

SMIT envisions empowering businesses to stay ahead of the curve and foster sustainable growth in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. Their mission, making technology society-proof, involves enabling businesses to anticipate market shifts, capitalize on emerging opportunities, and navigate regulatory challenges effectively. Through collaboration, SMIT aims to establish industry leaders driving innovation and market leadership.

Purpose and Impact

SMIT's involvement in projects, ranging from Smart Cities to Media Literacy in the Digital Age and Human-Robot Interaction, demonstrates its expertise and value to industry partners. These projects enable SMIT to provide businesses with insights into new technologies' opportunities and challenges, such as digital connectivity, health integration, immersive experiences, AI ethics, and disinformation. By collaborating with SMIT, businesses can leverage this expertise to drive innovation in technology development, deployment, and the creation of new services and applications across various sectors.