This year, imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel hosted the emma Doctoral summer school 2025 in Brussels on 2–5 September, bringing together early-career media management researchers. As a key activity of the European Media Management Association (emma), the Summer School provides a welcoming international environment for PhD researchers and early postdocs to present and advance their work while building valuable professional networks.
The Brussels edition focused on the digital transformation of media industries, combining visits to the European Commission, VRT and DPG Media with scholar-led sessions, feedback workshops and methodology clinics. In addition to contributions from imec-SMIT, VUB scholars, the programme featured senior media management scholars Leona Achtenhagen (Jönköping International Business School), Castulus Kolo (Macromedia University of Applied Sciences), Tom Evens (Ghent University) and Päivi Maijanen (LUT).