Fourth Óbidos Cultural Game Jam Takes Place from 13 to 16 May
Óbidos hub of the EPIC-WE project will host its fourth and final Cultural Game Jam, to be held between 13 and 16 May 2025.
With the theme “Heritage Remixed – Rediscover the Past, Reimagine the Future”, this initiative offers participants the opportunity to engage deeply with the historical, mythological, and cultural heritage of Óbidos. The event aims to foster reflection on Europe’s cultural legacy while encouraging innovative approaches to addressing contemporary societal challenges.
Students from Lusófona University and Josefa d’Óbidos Secondary School will convene at the Praça da Criatividade in Óbidos for three days of workshops, collaborative activities, and intensive game development.
CICANT looks forward to sharing the outcomes of this event. Further information can be found on the project website.
Lunch with Science: CICANT Promotes Ongoing Knowledge Exchange
As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering a collaborative and dynamic research environment, CICANT has held new editions of its Lunch with Science series in March and April.
On March 12, participants were introduced to key research support platforms:
- 13h30 – Welcome
- 13h40 – Presentation of Pure by Timóteo Rodrigues
- 14h20 – Presentation of Overleaf by the CICANT team
- The session also included an overview of CrowdHelix, a network for international research collaboration.
The session on April 16 focused on project applications, evaluation, and funding opportunities:
- 13h30 – Welcome by Maria José Brites
- 13h40 – Presentation on Erasmus by Teresa Sofia Castro
- 13h55 – Presentation on the CREATIVE project by Rui Filipe Antunes
The upcoming Lunch with Science sessions are scheduled as follows:
- May 21 – Discussion on Mental Health, with contributions from Amanda Cei and Carla Sousa (further details to be announced)
- June 18 – Tandem on AI, featuring Alexander Gerner and José Gomes Pinto (further details to be announced)
Through initiatives such as Lunch with Science, CICANT continues to promote the sharing of scientific knowledge, best practices, and interdisciplinary dialogue among its research community.
Further information on the forthcoming session
MeDeMAP showcases award-winning research at ICA 2025
CICANT's MeDeMAP project was featured at the 75th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), held from 12–16 June 2025. This international event brought together leading scholars and professionals under the theme “Disrupting and Consolidating Communication Research”, with a focus on the evolving challenges and opportunities within the field.
MeDeMAP’s presence at ICA 2025 included a dedicated panel, alongside three additional paper presentations, highlighting the breadth and depth of the project’s contributions to communication studies.
A standout moment was the recognition of Maren Beaufort and Josef Seethaler, who received a prestigious Top Paper Award for their work developed within the MeDeMAP framework. This distinction underscores the academic excellence and impact of the project’s research outputs.
Participation in such a high-profile international conference reinforces MeDeMAP’s growing relevance within the global research community and reflects CICANT’s continued commitment to mapping media for future democracies.
Museums Meet Lusófona: Exploring, Reimagining, and Sharing Cultural Heritage with Digital (and Analog) Tools
CICANT announces the event “Museums Come to Lusófona / Lusófona Goes to the Museums: Exploring, Reimagining, and Sharing Cultural Heritage with Digital (and Analog) Tools”, taking place on 30 May 2025.
This initiative aims to foster collaboration between Portuguese museums and Lusófona University, creating new opportunities for innovative partnerships. The session is open to all faculty and students from all academic cycles of the university, with a special focus on the Department of Communication, Arts and Information Technologies (DCAM) and the Department of Film and Media Arts (DCC).
Invited museums will briefly introduce their institutions and present proposals for collaboration with Lusófona, inspiring new synergies between academia and the museum sector.
A key highlight of the event is the official launch of the CICANT Crea-Heritage Lab, a new laboratory dedicated to innovative promotion of cultural heritage, combining digital and analog approaches.
Programme
14:30 - Opening & Welcome
- José Gomes Pinto (CICANT Director): Welcome and brief introduction to CICANT
- Célia Quico: Presentation of the Crea-Heritage Lab and Lusófona’s cultural heritage projects
15:00 - Bordalo Pinheiro Museum (Lisbon)
- João Alpuim Botelho (Director)
15:20 - José Malhoa Museum (Caldas da Rainha)
- Nicole Costa (Director)
15:40 - Talking Machines Museum (Alcobaça)
- Alberto Guerreiro (Coordinator of the Museums, Alcobaça Municipality)
16:00 - National Costume Museum (Lisbon)
- Dóris Santos (Director)
16:20 - Museum of the Orient (Lisbon)
- Sofia Lopes (Director)
16:40 - Maritime Museum
- Augusto Alves Salgado (Director)
17:00 - Closing: Q&A + Wrap-up
- Moderated by Célia Quico
CICANT looks forward to welcoming you for an afternoon of dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and new collaborative opportunities!
New academic volume co-edited by CICANT researchers published by Springer
CICANT announces the publication of a new academic volume, edited by Alexandra Cruchinho and José Carlos Neves. It’s now available on Springer’s platform: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-80991-0.
This scholarly work brings together a distinguished collection of contributions in the fields of communication, culture, and emerging technologies. Organised into thematic sections, the book offers a comprehensive overview of current challenges and developments, including:
- Critical analysis of contemporary communication dynamics, particularly the societal impacts of new technologies;
- Innovative case studies, exploring the intersection between digital culture and communicative practices;
- Empirical and theoretical contributions, ranging from hyperlocal journalism and augmented reality to participatory research methodologies in digital contexts.
Intended for academics, professionals, and advanced students, the volume serves as a valuable resource for both reflection and applied research. It is available in print and digital formats, with complimentary eBook access granted to editors and contributing authors.