The Department of Communication at the University of Nicosia (UNIC) successfully hosted the seminar “Reimagining Journalism Through Immersive Technology” on May 14, 2026, onsite at the UNESCO Amphitheatre.
The event, held with the support of the EU-funded iStream project, brought together students, journalists, educators, researchers and other stakeholders to discuss how immersive technologies are reshaping journalism, public-interest media and the future of news.
The seminar examined how technologies such as VR, XR, AR, smart glasses and artificial intelligence can open new possibilities for storytelling, civic explanation, public understanding and journalism education. Discussions focused on the potential of immersive journalism to respond to key challenges facing news media today, including platform dependency, audience fragmentation, disinformation and the need for more meaningful forms of public engagement.
The programme included presentations by: Professor Nicholas Nicoli, Associate Head of the Department of Communication, University of Nicosia; Professor Harald Rau, Research Professor of Communication Management at Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences; Professor Soulla Louca, Head of the Department of Digital Innovation, University of Nicosia; Dr Ioanna Georgia Eskiadi, Researcher in Emerging Media Technologies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
A panel discussion followed, offering participants the opportunity to reflect on the future of immersive journalism and its role in media education, professional practice and public-interest communication.
Dr Nicos Philippou, Head of the Department of Communication at the University of Nicosia, underlined the significance of the seminar’s subject. “The success of this seminar demonstrates the importance of bringing together students, journalists, educators and stakeholders to discuss the future of journalism,” he noted. “Immersive technologies create new possibilities for how news can be experienced, explained and understood, and our Department is committed to engaging critically and creatively with these developments.”
For her part, Professor Ioulia Papageorgi, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, commented on how the seminar demonstrated the School’s dedication to providing continually relevant media education. “This event reflects the School’s commitment to research, innovation and public engagement,” she said. “By examining immersive journalism and emerging technologies, the seminar created a valuable space for dialogue on how media education can respond to the changing needs of society and the future of communication.”
The seminar was supported by iStream – Higher Education programmes on Immersive Journalism approach, an Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership in Higher Education that aims to modernise journalism education through immersive technologies and reduce the skills gap in the media and communication sectors. More information about the project is available at www.istream-project.eu.
About UNIC’s Department of Communication
The Department of Communication at the University of Nicosia prepares students for careers in media, journalism, public relations, advertising, digital communication, social media management and related fields, combining academic knowledge with professional skills, research, creativity and engagement with contemporary developments in the communication sector.
About UNIC’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Nicosia brings together disciplines that explore society, culture, communication, education, language and human behaviour, supporting interdisciplinary teaching, research and public engagement.
About iStream
iStream – Higher Education programmes on Immersive Journalism approach is an EU-funded Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership in Higher Education that aims to modernise journalism education through immersive technologies and reduce the skills gap in the media and communication sectors. More information is available at www.istream-project.eu.
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