Communication and digital data

We communicate in language, in our mother tongue and other languages. To understand what these languages are made of and how they are constantly changing, these languages and language structures are being studied in detail at the Faculty of Arts. But researchers can also use their specific knowledge to look at how we learn languages and what makes this learning process effective. Or how we use language and images in communication and why this sometimes leads to misunderstandings. Very useful to know if you are becoming a doctor for example. Further, big textual data and the role computers play are in the centre of our attention in this digital day and age. How can we use digital data in research and in societal practice? Could we improve the communication between humans and automatic systems for example?

Good practices from our Faculty

"We try to understand how human translators work in order to improve machine translations"

Translation is a difficult task, as Professor of Computational Semantics Johan Bos knows well by now. There is a lot more to do than literally translate word for word and take into account different word sequences of languages. But what exactly makes a good translation and how do you learn a computer to deal with such subtle differences? More information: Translation is of great significance.

"A new knowledge platform with a solid base"

Researchers in the field of communication have been collaborating with the University Hospital (UMCG) and other partners in health care for a few years. In 2015 these experiences lead to the foundation of the knowledge platform Health Communication, which offers more structural possibilities for co-operation. Professor in Communication Studies Tom Koole is one of the founders and co-ordinators of the platform. More information: Health communication

"Journalists are important research partners, who have the same interest"

Entrepreneurship in journalism is booming. Associate professor Media and Journalism Studies and Rosalind Franklin Fellow Tamara Witschge received a VIDI-grant in 2015 to develop research in this domain: Entrepreneurship at Work. This research will use innovative methods. More information: Entrepreneurial Journalism

"It would be odd if you do research on aphasia but want to stay distant from the application."

Professor in Neurolinguistics Roelien Bastiaanse feel that it is her duty as a researcher to pass on the knowledge she gains in research in order to improve testing and treatment of patients with aphasia. Testing and treatment is increasingly using computer apps. More information: Apps for clinical practice

Centres of Expertise

The following Centres are working in the field of languages and cultures:

Centre for Digital Humanities
The Groningen Center of Expertise for Language and Communication Disorders (GELC)
Centrum voor Communicatie en Informatie-onderzoek (CICO)
Bureau Groninger Taal en Cultuur
Science Shop Language, Culture and Communication (student's research for societal partners)
Language centre (for language courses and translations)
Institut Français (for French courses and activities)

National Research Agenda

Research in the Faculty of Arts in the area of Communication and digital data is important to Dutch society. The National Research Agenda identified routes for societal relevant research. For communication and digital data the most important routes are:

Creating value through responsible access to and use of big data
Health care research, sickness prevention and treatment
Child and adolescent development, upbringing and education
NeuroLabNL
Smart Industry