Experts urge Bingham students to explore emerging frontiers in communication, media research

Communication scholars have urged students of Bingham University to embrace innovative approaches and emerging trends shaping the future of communication and media research.

The call was made during a three-day training themed “Discovering and Embracing New Frontiers in Communication and Media Research: Engineering Social Transformation,” organized by the Institute for Leadership and Development Communication (ILDC) for the university’s postgraduate students.

The workshop gathered academics, researchers, and postgraduate participants to examine the dynamic shifts in communication research driven by artificial intelligence, big data, and digital media technologies.

At the opening session, Convener of the ILDC and Associate Professor of Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Desmond Okocha, highlighted the importance of the programme, describing it as a crucial platform for scholars to gain relevant tools and knowledge needed to thrive in modern communication studies.

“We are reminded of the critical role that communication and media play in shaping our societies, influencing our perceptions, and driving social transformation.

“This training will equip us with the knowledge and tools to explore new opportunities in research and innovation created by technological advancement,”said Okocha, who also serves as the Head of the Department of Mass Communication and Dean, School of Communication and Media Studies.

He noted that the programme would expose participants to new research methodologies, theoretical approaches, and collaborative practices capable of deepening the impact of media scholarship on society.

Associate Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, Dr. Tivlumun Gabriel Nyitse, emphasized the importance of methodology in ensuring credible and impactful research outcomes.

“Research means discovering something new or improving what already exists. But no research can be meaningful without a sound method. If you solve a problem without following the right steps, your solution will be flawed.

“Methodology is what ensures that research findings are reliable and useful for societal progress,”he stated.

Dr. Nyitse urged communication scholars to leverage technology to generate solutions to pressing social issues, noting that digital tools now provide vast opportunities for accessing and sharing knowledge.

He further advised researchers to understand how to differentiate between human-generated and AI-generated content, stressing the need for careful analysis and verification in today’s digital research space.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Nathan Oguche Emmanuel, a lecturer at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), said the workshop underscored the idea that research should drive social change rather than remain an academic exercise.

“Research should not just be for promotion or visibility. It should be about social engineering and transformation.

“If the research process is flawed, the outcome will be flawed, and policies built on that will also be flawed. That’s why we are here, to refine the research process and ensure our findings can genuinely inform policy and development,”Emmanuel said.

He called for stronger partnerships between scholars and policymakers to ensure that credible research findings influence decision-making and contribute to national development.

Dr. Emmanuel added that government, media, and civil society must work collectively to promote the use of sound research for progress and social impact.

The three-day training featured plenary sessions, interactive discussions, and hands-on workshops aimed at broadening participants’ perspectives, fostering innovation, and reinforcing the role of communication research in social transformation.

The event also included the induction of new members into the ILDC.