Emerging media studies explores how technologies like AI, social media, virtual reality, augmented reality, streaming platforms, and data are changing the way people communicate, make decisions, build communities, and understand the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boston University pioneered this academic discipline, launching the nation’s first PhD<\/a> in Emerging Media Studies. Today, our STEM-designated MA<\/a> and PhD programs prepare researchers, data analysts, policy advisors, and technology leaders to understand\u2014and help shape\u2014the social impact of emerging technologies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest questions about technology don’t have established answers yet. That’s exactly what you’ll study here. How does algorithmic curation influence public opinion? Can virtual reality increase empathy? How should social platforms govern themselves, and who holds them accountable? <\/p>\n\n\n\n At BU, you won’t just theorize about these questions. You’ll investigate them through behavioral research, computational analytics, eye-tracking, immersive VR environments, and large-scale social data analysis\u2014and often publish your findings before you graduate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future won’t be shaped by technology alone. It will be shaped by people who understand how technology changes human behavior\u2014and know how to study those changes through research.<\/p>\n\n\n