Offered topics for Bachelor and Master theses

Media use and communication and people's mental health can be related in different ways. We are interested in both the potential positive and negative effects of media on various mental health problems.

For example, your work could focus on the following aspects:

• Effects of media communication about mental health and illness (e.g., through mass media or on social media) on the (de)stigmatization of mental illnesses such as depression or addiction (experimental designs)

• Media use by people affected by mental health problems (surveys, qualitative interviews)

• Media portrayals of those affected in the mass media or discussions about mental health in social media (content analyses).

Poverty is a problem. There is no doubt about that. It is therefore not surprising that the media have been dealing with the issue of poverty for a long time. They address poverty in certain population groups (e.g. children, the elderly, single parents), but also extreme poverty in certain regions of the world. In this context, media does not only mean news and information media, but also entertainment media (e.g. films). For some time now, however, more and more critical voices have been raised that define not only poverty but also wealth as a problem (OXFAM).

Against this background, the following topics and questions can be addressed:

Analyzing media coverage of news or information media: How is the topic of wealth treated in the media? Is wealth associated with criticism of capitalism? Are alternative social models discussed in the reporting? What solutions are discussed? Are there differences in the reporting of the various areas of the news media (culture, politics, economy)?

How is wealth discussed in different areas of society: sport, art, finance, education, industry, art?

How is wealth portrayed in entertainment media (e.g. movies, TV shows)?

What do people think about wealth? Are media role models important for the pursuit of wealth or for the rejection of wealth?

In recent years, a number of theses have been written on this topic. Please familiarize yourself with them. You can find information on the theses on this website under /Teaching/Previous theses.

You can find extensive information on the topic of climate, environmental, energy and sustainability communication under the "Research" section of our website. Please familiarize yourself with the projects there. We deal with the topic along the entire communication process:

1. with the development of statements on climate, environment, energy and sustainability by NGOs, companies, political parties etc.,
2. the communication of this content by journalists, influencers, etc,
3. with the analysis of the corresponding content in all media and platforms,
4. with the use of this content by recipients,
5. the impact of climate, environmental, energy and sustainability communication on people and society.

Numerous data sets are also available for secondary analyses on this range of topics. In recent years, several theses have already been written on this topic. Please familiarize yourself with them. Information on the theses can be found on this website under /Teaching/Previous theses.

This topic area deals with the phenomenon of information avoidance. The term "issue disenchantment" is used to discuss whether and why citizens are annoyed by media coverage of political issues, no longer want to hear or see anything about them and whether this disenchantment has further-reaching consequences. "Topic disenchantment", i.e. a negative attitude towards a topic that is covered intensively in the media, can apparently - after an initial phase of exposure - lead to citizens avoiding news about the topic in question. In final theses, the causes and consequences of disenchantment with topics can be investigated using specific examples of topics. You can find further information and publications on the subject of "topic disenchantment" under "Research" on our website.

In recent years, several theses have already been written on the subject. Please familiarize yourself with them. Information on the theses can be found on this website under /Teaching/Previous theses.

The department has a cooperation agreement with the UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Thuringian Forest (http://www.biosphaerenreservat-vessertal.de/). As part of this cooperation, several sub-projects can/should be worked on as part of final theses (Bachelor's/Master's) and media projects.

The associations that most people associate with the name "biosphere reserve" are probably "untouched nature, nature conservation, avoidance of human intervention". However, biosphere reserves are actually about reconciling human use with the protection of the natural environment. It is a question of sustainable development. The often incorrect perception of the functions of a biosphere reserve is a potential source of conflict.

The following research projects for final theses can be worked on:

• What do biosphere reserve residents know about the biosphere reserve? What ideas do they have about the function of the biosphere reserve? Where (from which information sources) do the inhabitants get their information and ideas? How could the residents be reached in order to convey adequate ideas?

• How do visitors to the information center in Schmiedefeld use the exhibition? Which offers are rated positively, which are rated negatively? What should be improved? Is the transfer of knowledge successful?

• Ilmenau is the largest town in the biosphere reserve. The inhabitants of the town, and not least the students of the TU Ilmenau, are an important target group for the biosphere reserve. Within the scope of the work, the knowledge and experience of the students of the TU Ilmenau about the biosphere reserve can be investigated. Where does the knowledge come from? How can this knowledge be improved? What communication measures can be used to increase students' interest and motivation to engage with the biosphere reserve and attend biosphere reserve events?

In recent years, a number of theses have already been written on this topic. Please familiarize yourself with them. Information on the theses can be found on this website under /Teaching/Previous theses.

The department has a cooperation with the UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Thuringian Forest (http://www.biosphaerenreservat-vessertal.de/). As part of this cooperation, several sub-projects can/should be worked on as part of media projects and final theses.

The associations that most people associate with the name "biosphere reserve" are probably "untouched nature, nature conservation, avoidance of human intervention". However, biosphere reserves are actually about reconciling human use with the protection of the natural environment. It is a question of sustainable development. The often incorrect perception of the functions of a biosphere reserve is a potential source of conflict.

Various media projects can be developed in consultation with the biosphere reserve. One example is the following:

An important goal of the biosphere reserve is to strengthen regional, environmentally friendly value creation. To this end, for example, local food producers are brought together with catering businesses. As part of a partnership program, catering businesses that are committed to sustainable management are also certified. Twice a year, the biosphere reserve organizes a gourmet weekend with the certified restaurants. Once on the theme of "game" and once on the theme of "fish". These events are to be advertised with short promotional films and, if necessary, other ideas. The aim of the media project is to produce the promotional films and develop a marketing strategy.

TU Ilmenau has set out to become a "sustainable community" and is committed to greater sustainability in all areas. In order to achieve this goal, transformation communication is necessary. Such transformation communication projects can be designed and realized within the framework of media projects.