Department of Communication Science

Postgraduate Supervision

Welcome to Postgraduate Supervision in the Department of Communication Science

The Department of Communication Science is committed to promoting a dynamic and intellectually stimulating supervision environment for our postgraduate students. Whether pursuing a Master’s dissertation or PhD thesis, we offer vigorous academic support designed to support your academic research endeavours. Thus, our department’s academic programmes provide advanced theoretical and practical insights into organisational communication and media studies, preparing students to robustly engage with complex global and local issues through rigorous thinking and critical analysis.

Our department is home to a diverse group of academics, each bringing a wealth of experience, expertise, and specialised knowledge during the supervision process. We pride ourselves on having highly qualified supervisors with relevant expertise in various subfields of communication, including media studies, organisational communication, intercultural communication, and digital media. This means that our students receive tailored guidance from experts who are well-versed in the latest research trends and methodologies relevant to their area of study. From the initial stages of proposal development to the final submission of your dissertation or thesis, we are dedicated to ensuring that your research journey is both challenging and rewarding.

We understand that postgraduate study is a significant academic and professional investment. We strive to create a supportive environment where students can thrive, develop independent research skills, and contribute meaningfully to their field of study. Our department encourages innovative research projects that address contemporary societal challenges, and we welcome both local and international students to join us in pushing the boundaries of knowledge in communication science. We look forward to guiding you as you embark on this exciting academic journey.

Therefore, the following outlines the key topics and themes that our academic staff are particularly interested in exploring with prospective candidates for Master’s and Doctoral studies. We encourage potential students to engage directly with individual staff members if they have suggestions or ideas for research topics, as we welcome collaborative dialogue in shaping impactful and innovative research projects.

Focus areas in Media Studies

  • Cultural studies
  • Decolonisation
  • Film studies
  • Gender studies
  • Health communication
  • Indigenous language and media
  • International communication
  • Journalism and media genres
  • Media (and) representation (this would include, for example, a sub-field of feminism or gender studies)
  • Media and community
  • Media and democracy
  • Media and development
  • Media and / in international communication
  • Media audiences (media reception and use)
  • Media economics
  • Media management
  • Media policy and regulation
  • Media sociology (the media in/and society)
  • Memorial (memory) and trauma studies
  • New media and the new media environment
  • ODeL-related media research
  • Political communication
  • Popular culture
  • Telecommunications & Information Policy
  • Television studies
  • Media research methodology

Focus areas in Organisational Communication

  • Concept of Learning Organisations and organisational learning
  • Applied communication
  • Corporate communication
  • Internal communication/ intra-organisational communication / integrated organisational communication
  • Management communication
  • Marketing communication and integrated marketing communication
  • Organisational Communication (general)
  • Organisational discourse
  • Political communication / public relations
  • Public relations/image management
  • Strategic communication
  • Corporate Social Investment and Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Corporate Governance
  • Development Communication
  • Online Communication
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Public Health Communication
  • Tourism Communication/Marketing
  • Social Entrepreneurship
  • Decoloniality
  • Stakeholder relationship communication and management
  • Leadership
  • Crisis Communication
  • Government and State Communication
  • Stakeholder Engagement, Public Participation and Community Engagement
  • Brand Communication

Contact with the University

Department

The postgraduate administrator for master’s and doctoral studies is your contact person. Please direct enquiries and correspondence to her.

Mrs Soekie van Gass
Tel: +27 012 429 6423
E-mail: vgassma@unisa.ac.za

Last modified: 2025/02/14