Ariane Beldi

For the last seven years I have been alternating studies at the graduate level and work outside the academic bubble in the field of communication and Web writing. Since 2008, I have devoted myself to my Ph.D. and my other researches, mostly on the role played by media technologies on the cultural reception of content produced by the entertainment industry.

My academic curriculum initially mixed sciences, social sciences and humanities at the undergraduate level, thanks to the possibilities offered by a liberal-art college like Bates College, ME, USA. However, at the master degree level, I took a definite turn towards sociology and anthropology, specializing in the study of the social use of NICT's, as well as Media & Communication Studies. During my graduate studies, I did research on the use of the Internet by NGO's in Switzerland and Europe, which included several analysis of textual and visual discourses used by political actors. For my master degree in Media & Communication Studies, I analyzed the representations of Swiss grass-root movements during a very highly controversial campaign in the written press. In my present Ph.D. project, I have decided to combine my interest for the social meaning of new information and communication technologies (NICT's) with one of my favorite form of entertainment, Japanese animation.

When I'm done with this dissertation (which I hope I will before long), I'd like to continue researching the various ways people integrate NICT's in their daily life and cultural reception of audiovisual content circulating at the global level. I'm also interested in these issues within the realm of political communication, especially the way ideologies get spread thanks to online networks. My aim is to work in collaboration with both academic and non-academic actors so as not to be restricted in the university bubble.

I probably won't be able to participate in this year LIFT conference, because I'm focusing on my Ph.D. dissertation and I'm hoping to hand out the full manuscript in a few months. But I hope to be able to participate in it next year, as these are really incredible events!