Explore theories of communication and communication practices to solve global grand challenges in an immersive environment with the new Applied Communication specialisation.
The new Applied Communication (AC) specialisation is being offered to Bachelor of Communication (BC) students from 2025.
This new specialisation, which can be taken as a major or minor, is designed to empower students with communication tools to effectively tackle some of the most pressing global issues around the challenges outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Students will be taught how to develop cutting-edge communication applications, including strategic communication plans, community engagement strategies, case studies, policy briefs, white papers, advertising campaigns, communication advocacy campaigns, health communication interventions, environmental communication designs, digital stories, data-driven communication interfaces and future-ready communication platforms.
From interfacing with industry to collaborating with civil society organisations and policymakers, the AC specialisation brings multiple opportunities for students to learn communication theory and research methods immersed in problem-solving.
Students will learn the principles and skills of research design, data analysis, digital storytelling, media production, relationship building, cross-cultural collaboration, public communication, public affairs, teamwork and leadership, all embedded within practical problem solving to generate a lasting impact on community, society and the world.
The coursework is designed to cultivate creativity in a dynamic and flexible practice-based learning environment, where communication theory seamlessly blends with application.
The new specialisation is supported by world-renowned academics with strong international partnerships, who will bring their rich experience in research and developing and evaluating communication applications across diverse global contexts.
At the same time, the specialisation embraces the rich tapestry of Aotearoa New Zealand, integrating the principles of Te Tiriti throughout the curriculum and centring Māori values and principles.
Professor Mohan Dutta, Dean’s Chair Professor of Communication and Director of the Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE) at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University will be teaching into the new specialisation.
Professor Dutta says that as communities in Aotearoa and across the world grapple with issues such as climate change, sustainable food production, inequality, hunger, artificial intelligence, democracy and peace, we see how central communication is to solve them.
“Learning how to communicate lies at the heart of how we bring diverse communities together to solve the grand challenges of our times. This specialisation reflects Massey’s commitment to communication studies, bringing the excellent research being carried out by our world-class experts into the classroom.
“I look forward to facilitating innovative learning opportunities for our students through the various networks of the eminent Center for Culture-Centred Approach to Research and Evaluation, reputed worldwide for its social and research impacts. Our sustained community, civil society, government and industry partnerships will empower students to be the change makers of the future.”
Massey University’s communication programme is ranked as the top communication programme in New Zealand, as well as 45th in the global Shanghai Rankings and in the top 100 in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Subject Rankings.
More information about the programme can be found here:
Applied Communication – Bachelor of Communication - Massey University
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