About
An innovative, interdisciplinary PhD program designed for students who want to explore the evolving relationship between media, technology, and society.
The Media, Technology, and Society (MTS) PhD program offers a flexible curriculum that empowers students to design individualized programs of study aligned with their research interests. Drawing on courses and expertise from across Northwestern University, students develop a personalized academic path while engaging with some of the most pressing questions shaping today's media and technology landscape.
Why Choose MTS?
The MTS program encourages intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Students have the freedom to pursue their passions through a customized course of study that spans disciplines, methodologies, and research areas.
Program Highlights:
- Interdisciplinary and flexible curriculum
- Individualized programs of study
- Access to courses across Northwestern University
- Mentorship from internationally recognized faculty
- Opportunities to conduct research with real-world impact
Research Areas
MTS faculty are internationally renowned scholars conducting research across a broad range of topics, including:
Digital Media Use and Effects
Examining how digital technologies shape communication, behavior, and society.
Health and Well-Being
Exploring the intersection of media, technology, and physical, mental, and social health.
Human-Computer Interaction
Investigating how people engage with technology and designing more effective digital experiences.
Innovation and Change
Understanding how emerging technologies drive organizational, social, and cultural transformation.
Media Institutions
Analyzing the structures, policies, and practices that influence media systems and industries.
Networks and Organizing
Studying how people, organizations, and communities connect, collaborate, and mobilize.
Social Media
Exploring the role of social platforms in communication, culture, politics, and everyday life.
Research Methods
MTS faculty employ a diverse range of traditional and innovative research methods to address complex questions about media, technology, and society. Students gain exposure to multiple approaches and are encouraged to select methods that best support their research goals.
Research with Real-World Impact
Beyond academic scholarship, MTS faculty actively work to create positive economic, cultural, and social change. Their research informs and collaborates with:
- Businesses and industry partners
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
- Community and public-sector initiatives
Through these partnerships, faculty and students contribute knowledge and solutions that address real-world challenges and opportunities.
Join a Leading Research Community
As an MTS doctoral student, you'll become part of a vibrant research community committed to understanding and shaping the future of media and technology. With personalized academic pathways, world-class faculty mentorship, and opportunities for meaningful impact, the program prepares graduates to lead in academia, industry, and public service.