JMC Graduate Students Presented at 2018 DECIPHER Conference

On September 27 – 29, 2018, the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San José State University was invited to present its graduate research at the 2018 Design Educators Research (DECIPHER) Conference at the University of Michigan. Professor Tina Korani and graduate students: Alejandro L. Barajas and Jihye Woo, presented their graduate research on BridgeBrain: Engaging with the Next-Generation of Academic Scholars. This conference offered these graduate students and professor an opportunity to demonstrate how research collaboration is feasible when the next-generation of academic scholars is nurtured and fostered through mentorship at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San José State University. As such, the graduate students and the professor prepared to engage, network, and collaborate with the conference’s academic community.

Today, their graduate research addresses a common concern among the academic community, a strong disconnect among faculty and students as it relates to timely responses in identifying common research interests on projects and finding the precise skills required for academic research. To support their needs, BridgeBrain, a web collaboration platform permits two-way communication in real-time to search and identify research interests and projects via an established peer-to-peer network at colleges and universities to break down silos and barriers to bridge academic research and student success. During a networking session, Alejandro and Jihye had an opportunity to discuss their graduate research with professors and students. At the end of the 2018 DECIPHER Conference, various hands-on design research sessions connected emerging and experienced design researchers in academia and the private sector.

Professors, researchers, and students from different parts of the world gathered to share best practices, resources, tools, and the latest trends in research. The various sessions helped participants hone their research plans and writing skills, which created opportunities for dialogues that fostered mentorship, student engagement, expanded peer-to-peer networks, and interdisciplinary collaboration.