Considerable issues that unfold around us today are influenced by the mass media. Yet, the media and mass media research are often neglected scientifically and considered as an afterthought. We have also noted, with shock, the halfhearted nature with which some individuals, groups, and institutions treat research – as a passive activity. In the university system, we have observed that research is treated as a mere subject meant essentially to fulfill certain requirements. We think these paradigms have to be reversed urgently, with the option that media and communication research have to be at the centre of decisions for governments, non-governmental organizations, corporate bodies, individuals, and groups.

I bring to ICICREMW about 15 years of academic and professional experience in the area of Communication Research. I dedicated most of my undergraduate and graduate lives to Communication Research. That is why most of my time in the University of Buea was spent at the Communication Research Centre of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, where I served as a Junior Research Assistant (2009-2012), and the Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant (GRTA) (2013-2016). Upon recruitment as a University Instructor in December 2016, I was appointed Director of the Centre; a position I have held for over 5 years now. My determination is to continue mounting efforts towards expansion of Communication Research; including the process of studying, understanding, describing, predicting, and explaining innovations in the field.

Dear reader, at ICICREMW, we research increasingly interdependent and complex relationships between mass media and society, mass media influence and effects at micro, meso, and macro levels, and the innovative area covering the role, uses, and significance of the mass media in social work theory and practice. We are also interested in people’s already existing beliefs and cultures, and how the mass media help enhance, preserve, modify, or alter such beliefs and cultures.

Furthermore, we consider rural communities strongly in our research agenda. Our observation is that they are often neglected in the decision triangle. That is why we are strongly collaborating and partnering with rural communities so as to thoroughly research them in the light of how they use and interact with the media, and in what ways Communication Research could improve on rural life. We also collaborate significantly with our trainees, research communities, governments, mass media institutions, advertisers, international organizations, and universities globally.

We conduct and publish high quality research using sophisticated methodology, be they quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods heavily leaned towards informing action and policy. Our Services include Research Consultancy across disciplines, Training of communication researchers and media writers, Editing and provision of expert insights, and Mentorship for those passionate about enhancing their research capacities.

To carry on these services efficiently, we stick to core professional values: professional ethics, excellence, trust, integrity, intellectual rigour, creativity, humanity, humility, accountability, transparency, teamwork, diversity, networking, competency, and proactivity.

Our hope is to have ICICREMW as a veritable and referred media research hub. Once again, welcome to the International Centre for Innovations in Communication Research and Media Writing (ICICREMW).