The European research project MeDeMAP – Mapping Media for Future Democracies (HE 101094984) would like to invite you to join an in-depth reflection on media, data, and democracy in today’s Europe.
The seminar Mapping Media for Future Democracies will take place on 13 January 2026, from 14:00 to 17:30, at the Learning and Innovation Center (LIC) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB — Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels).
This event will bring together journalists, researchers, NGOs, and media professionals to examine how evidence-based approaches can strengthen democratic information environments. Through expert debates and hands-on workshops, participants will engage with cutting-edge research tools and connect with leading voices working at the intersection of journalism, data, and civic life.
The event comprises two sessions. Please keep in mind that registration is necessary for each session separately.
If you wish to attend both sessions (which you are welcome to do), please register once for each session.
Session 1 (14:30–15:45): Journalism and Democracy – A Debate
This session proposes a discussion centered on journalism and democracy, gathering journalists, civil society actors, and academics:
- François Heinderyckx – Professor of Media Studies and Political Communication, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
- Renate Schroeder – Director of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
- Donato Bendicenti – RAI Correspondent in Brussels
- Jeffrey Wimmer – Professor of Communication Sciences, University of Augsburg, and MeDeMAP Researcher, Charles University, Prague
- Stef Arends – Editor in Chief, Kif Kif
The session will be chaired by Andrea Miconi – Professor of Media Sociology, IULM University, Milan, and MeDeMAP researcher and Italian team coordinator.
To participate in this session, register here: https://forms.gle/JwbSgtj5rRP8XtjF7
Session 2 (16:00–17:30): Mapping European Political Information Environments: A workshop
This session focuses on one of the project’s major outputs: the multi-layer map of European political information environments. During this interactive workshop, participants will experience the spatial data interface that provides unique access to quantitative information on European political information environments. The session will be chaired by Josef Seethaler, Leader of the Research Group “Media, Politics & Democracy”, Austrian Academy of Sciences & MeDeMAP Principal Investigator and features:
- David F. J. Campbell – Professor for Comparative Political Science, University of Vienna
- Beata Klimkiewicz – Professor at the Institute for Journalism, Media and Social Communication, Jagiellonian University, Cracow
To participate in this session, register here: https://forms.gle/b7AFAanuuFupZHVs9
We invite you to join us in exploring how journalism, data, and civic engagement can work together to strengthen democratic life in Europe.
More information
📩 For more information, please contact info@mc.medemap.eu or visit https://www.medemap.eu/?p=1694
Disclaimer
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Project reference
The MeDeMAP project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions under Grant Agreement No 101094984.