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PhD in Communication

PhD in Communication

Official title

Modality
In-person
Languages
Catalan, Spanish, English
Duration
4 years full time
Date
october 2026
Places
15
Location
Blanquerna-URL - Carrer de Tallers, 77. 08001 Barcelona
Faculty
School of Communication and International Relations

Making the knowledge of researchers available to society

Contributing to improving professional communication environments through innovation

Consolidating and strengthening the links between university and business

The PhD program seeks to develop the necessary skills and competences to train high-level researchers who can conduct solid research activity in the field of Communication

Sociology of communication

It includes the study of social conflict, the media treatment and social perception of violence, the digital divide and intergenerational conflicts, as well as the representation of the other in the new media, in addition to others.

Business communication

It includes a broad range of subjects: communication audits, the role of communication strategies to bring about change in organizations, corporate communication strategies, new trends in branding, public relations and corporate culture, advertising creativity and planning, issue management and using new technologies in political communication.

Cinema and television

Politics and cultural identity through media, audio-visual and transmedia narratives, identity in cinema, television and transmedia. The convergence between cultural citizenship and television and new forms of film exhibition in the digital age.

Technology and communication

It includes subjects such as studying the impact of technology on journalistic and communicative practices, media convergence, journalistic responsibility and ethics, technology and communication policies, as well as technology and media regulation.

Journalism, politics and democracy

Research projects are being undertaken in relation to political engagement, media and citizenship, international communication, professional journalism, participation and active audiences in the digital public setting, in addition to others.

International relations

This includes the study and research of the field of international affairs, ranging from the historical, political, economic, cultural, legal, sociological and communication perspectives of globalization. Research projects on the commitment of various social actors in globalization are being undertaken at this school.

Calendar

Modeling of schedule of the Communication PhD Program

When is it carried out?	What is evaluated?	Person responsible for preparing it	Evidence from follow-up supervision	Who assesses it?
6 months	Research plan (RP)	Student	Director's/Advisor's assessment	ACPD
Second year	Research Plan + Doctoral Activities Document (DAD)	Student	Student Confidential Report (ICDnd/a) + Director/Advisor Confidential Report (ICDr/a)	ACPD
Third year	Research Plan + Doctoral Activities Document (DAD)	Student	(ICDnd/a) + (ICDr/a)	ACPD

Annual schedule of the degree

Admission, enrollment and assessment	Pre-enrollment	ACPD admission	Enrollment	Assessments
Newly accessed PhD students				Research Plan Delivery
Second year PhD students and successive				*Delivery Student Confidential Report and Director Confidential Report

"I decided to conduct my PhD dissertation despite not having a previous background in academic research. The experience has been worthwhile, the Faculty has provided me with all the academic resources and advice I needed."

Dr. Marta Pascal, People & Politics Connector.

“Doing a PhD thesis at Blanquerna has been a major challenge. It has been a huge intellectual journey, with a stopover in different research projects at national and international level."

Dr. David Puertas, researcher at Digilab (URL) and university professor at the TecnoCampus Mataró-Maresme Foundation.

“Doing my PhD in Blanquerna made me feel highly privileged, as the academic staff are experts in their fields. As an international student, I felt very welcome. This experience made me even more enthusiastic.”

Dr. Zeliha Işıl Vural.

"Following fifteen years as a journalist in Peru, I did a master's degree in research in Paris, moved to Barcelona to do my PhD in Blanquerna and obtained the cum laude designation. Now I am teaching journalism to college students."

Dr. Vania Távara Palacios, university professor and president of the Patronage of Sipán.

News

Blanquerna FCRI, the fourth best in the State in Political Science according to U-Multirank

Blanquerna FCRI, la quarta millor de l’Estat en Ciències Polítiques segons l’U-Multirank

June 11, 2018

Blanquerna FCRI, the fourth best in the State in Political Science according to U-Multirank

Blanquerna Outlook 2021 Report: Three out of four communication professionals believe that their company will recover between this year and 2022

May 28, 2021

Blanquerna Outlook 2021 Report: Three out of four communication professionals believe that their company will recover between this year and 2022

Communication sector focused on the use of Big Data

El sector de la comunicació es llança a la utilització del Big Data

April 11, 2019

Communication sector focused on the use of Big Data

Blanquerna FCRI organizes the second «Talent Day» specializing in communication in Catalonia

June 26, 2017

Blanquerna FCRI organizes the second «Talent Day» specializing in communication in Catalonia

More news

A direct link to your future career

Our work doesn't finish the moment you graduate. The Alumni department will support you to enable us to achieve an employment rate of 90% of students in the first year after graduation

Further information

Television studios

Television studios

In front of or behind the camera? You can work on any of these skills in the school's two television studios. In addition to the cameras, you can learn how the production room, the lighting and the teleprompter work.

Video post-production rooms

Video post-production rooms

Available for both academic work and personal projects, you will find a total of 9 audio and video post-production rooms at the school, equipped with pioneering programs such as Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, After Effects and Audition.

Multimedia laboratory

Multimedia laboratory

For any communication project, the multimedia laboratory is the perfect room to start making a creative idea or initiative a reality. The room allows reservations for team meetings.

Professional cameras

Professional cameras

Going into the world of work having been able to use professional equipment is essential. That's why we provide you with cameras that are used in the Audiovisual Communication and Journalism sectors so that you can learn with professional teams.

Camera accessories

Camera accessories

You have a wide range of accessories for professional cameras to get the best results in filming. Remember that you can use it for both personal and academic projects, always making the relevant reservation in advance.

Audio equipment

Audio equipment

Both image and sound are essential to create a good audiovisual piece. You will find all kinds of equipment for sound recording. The microphones work with XLR connections and cannot be connected to non-professional equipment.

Lighting equipment

Lighting equipment

The lighting in the shootings varies in many cases and needs to be adjusted when recording an audiovisual piece. That's why, in addition to video and audio equipment, we offer a variety of lighting accessories.

Radio studios

Radio studios

Whether it's broadcasting live or recording a podcast, you'll find all the equipment you need to do radio. The school has two radio studios and three individual workspaces equipped with microphones and telephones for external interviews.

Technological resources

Technological resources

If you have a job or just need a computer, you can go to the computer classrooms or workspaces and use the Macs we have at your disposal.

Digital writing laboratory

FCRI_Alumne a l'aula de redacció digital

Digital writing laboratory

Applying content creation techniques to the web is essential to internalizing knowledge. Journalism, advertising and corporate communication have evolved into the digital environment.

Auditors

auditori facultat de comunicació i relacions internacionals

Auditors

The school has an auditorium that can be used for celebrations, academic events, conferences or activities. In addition to the school's events, the space hosts other occasions that require ample space.

Art direction laboratory

Art direction laboratory

Let your imagination run wild and enter a space of boundless creativity, where you can work to find the best strategy and creative proposal for an advertising project.

Libraries

Libraries

If you need a quiet space to study or to do individual and group work, come to the library! Each school has its own library with computers, workrooms, reading points and an extensive catalog of documents you can consult in both hard copy and digital format.

Computer rooms

Computer rooms

If you have a job or just need a computer, you can go to the computer classrooms or workspaces and use the Macs we have at your disposal.

Chapel

Chapel

The chapel is the right place to find recollection, peace, to focus, to pray and to celebrate the Eucharist weekly and at important liturgical moments (Christmas, Ash Wednesday and Easter). The sacrament of reconciliation is also celebrated.

Audio-visuals

Audio-visuals

Using the latest equipment and audio-visual techniques is part of the learning process and enables students to enter the world of work with a broad knowledge of computer science. For this reason, the schools are equipped with audio-visual material for viewing and editing and a video library.

Programa de Mentoring

Programa de Mentoring

Ets estudiant o Alumni dels graus en Comunicació o del Grau en Relacions Internacionlals i tens un projecte que requereix equipament tecnològic i assessorament professional? Posem a la teva disposició el programa de mentoring, un servei per donar suport tecnològic i assessorament a aquests projectes.

ICT services

ICT services

Our facilities include Mac computers, state-of-the-art software, WiFi network and printers to provide students with all the materials they need in their learning process.

Research ethics committees

Research ethics committees

Ethics in the field of research is fundamental. The Faculty Research Institutes are supported by the opinions of the Research Ethics Committees (CER-URL) to evaluate and rate projects that have ethical implications.

Research Support Office

If you are part of a research group, a professor or a PhD student and you need help with a project, you can ask for advice. This assistance includes analysis, guidance, help with applying for awards, and the financial management of projects.

Bar / Restaurant

The nerve center of the quintessential faculties is the bar. There, teachers, students and staff meet throughout the day for breaks or meals.

Academic Secretary

Academic Secretary

The Academic Secretaries of the Blanquerna faculties are the space for students to relate to the processes linked to the registration of official and own courses.

Student Information and Guidance Service (SIOE)

Student Information and Guidance Service (SIOE)

Would you like to receive information on pre-registration and admissions processes, scholarships and grants or validations? The SIOE is the service you need. Ask for all the information about any of these processes and discover all the possibilities at your fingertips.

Internship service

Internship service

Professional experience is a core part of our methodology. For this reason, we have a broad spectrum of internship agreements to meet the needs and preferences of all students. You will graduate having worked in your industry.

Scholarships and grants service

Scholarships and grants service

At Blanquerna, we put the future within everyone's reach thanks to our scholarships and grant service to start or continue studying at our schools. Financial aid is both internal and external to the university. You will find a wide range of possibilities.

International Mobility Office

Servei de mobilitat i relacions internacionals

International Mobility Office

Going abroad is a unique opportunity to discover the plurality of the world. Aware of the importance of the internationalization of studies, we have established mobility agreements around the world.

Careers

Talent Day 2017 Facultat de Comunicació i Relacions Internacionals

Careers

This service provides graduates with the necessary means so that they can actively participate in their professionalism and propose optimal candidates to organizations and companies looking for staff.

Job Bank

Job Bank

The leap into the world of work is always a challenge. For this reason, we provide a Job Bank for students and graduates. This service puts students in touch with companies and institutions looking for staff.

Solidarity action

Solidarity action

Solidarity and the struggle for human dignity are values that identify us. Solidarity Action is a volunteer program that our students can join to participate in projects in the Third and Fourth World.

Alumni service

Studying in Blanquerna allows you to be part of our community. Being a college student opens the door to a lot of options for continuing your vocational training beyond your time in the classroom.

Sports service

Sports service

Want to represent the URL in college sports tournaments? You can find a wide range of possibilities for both individual and team sports. To be a student of Blanquerna, you will have a discount at the Can Caralleu and La Salle Sport & Fitness sports complexes.

Personal Guidance Service (SOP)

Personal Guidance Service (SOP)

If you are in a difficult situation in the academic, personal or social field, you can request, free of charge, the personalized attention of the SOP. This is an interdisciplinary team of professionals who will guide you in dealing with the situation.

Faith and Spirituality

Faith and Spirituality

In the three Blanquerna faculties, you will find spaces for reflection isolated from the hustle and bustle dedicated to the celebration of the Faith or cultural and religious animation. If you wish, you can also receive personalized attention and information about church life.

Diversity support

Diversity support

At Blanquerna we promote personal development at all levels to people with a diversity of specific needs from a normalizing context that encourages personal autonomy and uniqueness.

Blanquerna Choir

Blanquerna Choir

If you like music and want to take part in the concerts of institutional events and festivities, sign up for the Blanquerna Choir. There you will meet new friends and enjoy music.

Student representatives

Student representatives

Each class group must elect a representative to put forward concerns or make proposals to the faculty members and academic management. At the same time, each degree must appoint a delegate and each school a representative on the general URL council.

Student Council

Student Council

Contact between students and the university is constant and is channeled through the Student Council, the body that collects proposals and requests from students and facilitates university life.

Language support service

Language support service

Are you studying a foreign language and want to improve your level? Do it at your own pace in the language self-learning classroom. This service offers various teaching resources and materials to practice the language.

Admission to the School of Communication and International Relations PhD program

The legal basis for access to doctoral studies is regulated by Royal Decree 99/2011, with modification (RD 576/2023, of July 4), ratified by the Governing Board of the URL on June 13, 2024. In compliance with RD 99/2011, of January 28, in general, and amendment 576/2023, of July 4, to access the doctoral program one of the following requirements must be met:

In general, to access an official PhD program, you must hold an official Spanish bachelor degree, or equivalent, and a university master degree, or equivalent, and have earned at least 300 ECTS credits in the two courses combined.
Hold an official Spanish university degree, or one from another country that is part of the European Higher Education Area, which qualifies you for access to a master degree in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, and have earned a minimum of 300 ECTS credits in official university studies, of which at least 60 must be at master degree level.
Hold an official Spanish degree, equivalent to at least 300 ECTS credits, according to the specifications of Community law. These graduates must complete the supplementary training referred to in Article 7.2 of these regulations, unless the curriculum for their degree includes research training credits, equivalent in value to the research credits in master degree studies.
Hold a degree obtained in accordance with the requirements of foreign education systems, without the need for convalidation, if it has been previously verified by the university that it accredits a level of training equivalent to an official Spanish university master degree and that it qualifies the student to undertake PhD studies in the country of issue. Such admission will not imply, in any case, the convalidation of the degree already held by the student or its recognition for purposes other than access to PhD studies.
Hold another Spanish PhD degree obtained in accordance with previous university regulations.
Graduates who have obtained a certificate of research proficiency or a Diploma in Advanced Studies in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree 185/1985, of 23 January, and Royal Decree 778/1998, of 30 April, respectively.
PhD students who have started the doctorate program in accordance with previous university regulations, will be able to access the PhD program, if previously admitted by the university, taking into account the general requirements of Royal Decree 99/2011, of 28 January, the general rules for the organization of PhD studies at Ramon Llull University and the specific requirements of the Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations Academic Committee for the Doctoral Program (CAPD).

Selection process

Consideration will be given to aspects of candidates' profiles that provide reasonable evidence that they are potential researchers:

Academic record and qualifications (45%).
Previous research experience (5%).
Professional experience in areas related to the PhD (5%).
Relevance of the doctoral thesis project to the research lines of the groups linked to the PhD program (15%).
Command of Catalan, Spanish and English, the working languages for the program (5%).
Personal interview (25%).
If necessary, up to 3 letters of recommendation may be requested from the candidate.

It is the responsibility of the Academic Committee for the Doctoral Program (CAPD) to decide whether or not to admit candidates, in accordance with the selection criteria described. Students with degrees in the field of communication who have completed a master degree at an institution other than the Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations must prove that subjects dealing with research methodology account for at least 10 ECTS in the course. If this is not the case, they must take the Introduction to Research Methodology Module of any of the university master degrees offered by the Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations.

Candidates with profiles other than those considered priority may be admitted to the PhD program, but are required to undertake the supplementary training specified, up to a maximum of 20 ECTS. The Academic Committee for the Doctoral Program will evaluate each case individually to determine the courses to be taken.

Students applying for the part-time PhD program are subject to the same admission requirements as other students.

How to apply

You need to fill in the form that you will find when you click on the pre-enrollment option for the PhD in Communication program and follow the instructions given there. During the process you will have to upload the documentation requested and you will be assigned a day and time for an interview with the program coordinator. There is no charge for this procedure.

When the pre-enrollment process has been completed, you will obtain a receipt with your pre-enrollment details and code (CIB).

When your documentation and suitability have been assessed, you will receive an email with the PhD program coordinator's decision on your application and, if successful, the information you need to enroll.

Once admission has been confirmed, the candidate will have to pay €100 as a reservation fee, using the same application via which pre-enrollment was processed. This amount will be considered a reservation fee and will be deducted from the total price of enrollment when it is formalized. Payment is by credit or debit card using a secure, confidential process. The amount paid as a reservation fee will not be refunded under any circumstances, unless the course is canceled.

Payment is due at the time of enrollment. The student must pay the full amount outstanding during the next two business days. Prices are updated each academic year. In accordance with the conditions established, once enrollment has been formalized, the amount paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.
General conditions for enrollment

Through acceptance of the clauses contained in the enrollment form, a contract for the provision of teaching services is formalized between the student and the Blanquerna Foundation, subject to the payment agreed and in compliance with university entrance regulations (Organic Law 2/2006) and those of the Blanquerna Foundation.
As stipulated in point 2.2 of the general conditions for enrollment, if a student declines to take up a place, he/she will lose in full any amount he/she has paid.
The student accepts the rules for the use of computer services established by the Blanquerna Foundation.
The student's personal data will be treated in accordance with the provisions of current legislation and enrollment conditions.

This section is a summary of the general conditions for enrollment. It is only for guidance and therefore has no contractual value. In the event of a discrepancy, the provisions of the “General Conditions for Enrollment" specified in the receipt generated at the time of enrollment will prevail; this receipt is a formal record of the contract between the student and the Blanquerna Foundation, and students can consult it on the intranet whenever they wish: http://scala.blanquerna.edu.

Download PDF with calendar for access, admission, enrollment and assessment.

List of defended theses from the different PhD programs of the School

Títol: Las experiencias inmersivas en el desarrollo de la marca-museo patrimonial. Los casos de Casa Batlló, IDEAL, MEV y Museo de Badalona
Doctorand: Marc Mallafré Cazorla
Director: Josep A. Rom Rodríguez
Tutor: Josep A. Rom Rodríguez
Data de defensa: 08/10/2025
Qual·lificació: Notable

Títol: Assessing the validity of postnormal times as a theory of change
Doctorand: Jordi Serra del Pino
Director: Miguel Franquet Dos Santos Silva
Tutor: Alfons Medina Cambrón
Data de defensa: 17/09/2025
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent Cum Laude

Títol: Comunicar el Cambio Climático: una intervención educativa para la promoción de los derechos humanos y la ética ecológica
Doctoranda: Laia Palos Rey
Directora: Míriam Díez Bosch
Tutor: Josep Ll. Micó Sanz
Data de defensa: 23/07/2025
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent

Títol: El periodismo desde la mirada de los profesionales uruguayos: prácticas, dilemas y áreas de oportunidad para la innovación
Doctoranda: Graciela Rodríguez-Milhomens Bachino
Director: Josep Ll. Micó Sanz
Tutora: Sue Aran Ramspott
Data de defensa: 23/07/2025
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent Cum Laude

Títol: El papel del entorno digital en los procesos de tranformación social en África. Una mirada al activismo digital de Senegal, Guinea y Uganda en el marco de la Tercera Ola de protestas urbanas en el continente
Doctorand: Carlos Bajo Erro
Directors: Oscar Mateos Martín i Pere Franch Puig
Tutor: Marçal Sintes Olivella
Data de defensa: 28/04/2025
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent Cum Laude

Títol: Catalunya Informació, 1992-2022. Passat, present i prospectiva de futur
Doctorand: Francesc Cano Castells
Directors: Marçal Sintes Olivella
Tutor: Josep Ll. Micó Sanz
Data de defensa: 28/02/2025
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent

Títol: Women in Lebanese Advertisements: Representations, Perceptions, Responses
Doctorand: Lubna Maaliki
Directors: Jaume Suau Martínez
Tutor: Sue Aran
Data de defensa: 24/02/2025
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent Cum Laude

Títol: Els estudis d’audiència i els espais de comunicació. L’impacte de les institucions de mesurament d’audiències en els mitjans locals. Estudi del cas català
Doctorand: Joan Sabaté Salazar
Directors: Josep Ll. Micó Sanz i Albert Sáez Casas
Tutor: Josep Ll. Micó Sanz
Data de defensa: 09/01/2025
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent

Títol: Driving Success in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Industry: Innovation Dynamics
Doctoranda: Alba Ramírez Pagès
Directors: Marc Polo López i María Belén Derqui Zaragoza
Tutor: Joan Cuenca Fontbona
Data de defensa: 16/12/2024
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent Cum Laude

Títol: Complejidad de la oferta comercial en líneas de producción de automóviles: Análisis del Segmento 2 en la fábrica de SEAT Martorell
Doctorand: Sergio Álvarez Martínez
Director: Josep A. Rom
Tutor: Josep A. Rom
Data de defensa: 18/11/2024
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent Cum Laude

Títol: L'Aha del Ha-ha: Activació empàtica en formats breus d'humor audiovisual. Proposta de 91 estratègies pràctiques de guió
Doctorand: Joan Josep Tharrats Pascual
Directors: Sue Aran i Pol Urrutia
Tutor: Sue Aran
Data de defensa: 25/10/2024
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent Cum Laude

Títol: Lack of Freedom of Speech: The Case of Turkish Media
Doctorand: Filiz Kip
Director: Marçal Sintes
Tutor: Marçal Sintes
Data de defensa: 08/10/2024
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent

Títol: La comunicación institucional del Congreso de los Diputados y el Senado durante el período 1977-2023
Doctorand: Josep López de Lerma
Director: Josep Maria Carbonell Abelló
Tutor: Josep Maria Carbonell Abelló
Data de defensa: 13/05/2024
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent Cum Laude

Títol: Comunicación del modelo Smart City. El portal web como canal de comunicación y promoción de la participación ciudadana en los modelos Barcelona Ciudad Digital, Málaga Smart y Smart City Valencia
Doctorand: Mariana Roldán Mascareño
Director/s: Josep A. Rom i Alfons Medina
Tutor: Josep A. Rom
Data de defensa: 04/03/2024
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent

Títol: Seeking a Sustainable Business Model in the Digital Environment. An analysis of the Role of Web Analytics and Social Media in Modern Media Strategies
Doctorand: Valentina Laferrara
Director/s: Josep Ll. Micó i Santiago Justel
Tutor: Josep Ll. Micó
Data de defensa: 01/03/2024
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent Cum Laude

Títol: Reconstruir l'Europa jueva després de la caiguda del comunisme, 1989-2000: un cas de circulació transnacional de narracions, recursos i coneixement
Doctorand: Marcelo David Dimentstein
Director/s: Ferran Sàez i Miriam Díez
Tutor: Ferran Sàez
Data de defensa: 12/07/2024
Qual·lificació: Excel·lent

Title: The communication strategies of cultural organisations and their effect on audience's behaviour in cultural consumption. The case of Onassis Cultural Centre
PhD candidate: Chrysoula Bousiouta
Director: Sue Aran i Jaume Suau
Tutor: Sue Aran
Date of defense: 13/12/2023
Qualification: Excellent

Title: Neuromarketing en la empresa española. Factores incentivadores y desincentivadores (2015-2023)
PhD candidate: Pilar Navarro
Director: Joan Cuenca i Marc Polo
Tutor: Joan Cuenca
Date of defense: 18/12/2023
Qualification: Notable

Title: Extramism and Hate Speech in Arabic-Speaking Media
PhD candidate: Lana Kazkak
Director: Míriam Díez Bosch
Tutor: Josep Lluís Micó
Date of defense: 20/12/2023
Qualification: Excellent Cum Laude

Title: The impact of foreign policy on the conformation of party identities in Spain (2003-2019).
PhD candidate: Jordi Xuclà Costa
Director: Dr. Ferran Sáez Mateu
Date of defense: 27/01/2023

Title: The Communication of Local Authorities in the Democratic Transition: The Catalan Association of Local Government Informers and its contributions to the Organization, development and management of Municipal Media Offices between 1980 and 1996
PhD candidate: Tomàs Vidal Lanza
Director: Jordi Busquet
Data of defense: 28/04/2023

Title: La Pantalla Fija. Entre lo fotográfico y lo cinematográfico. El caso de 'Sentimental Journey' de Nobuyoshi Araki.
PhD candidate: Daniel Seco de Herrera
Director: Fernando de Felipe
Date of defense: 19/05/2023

Title: Dar crédito a la ficción jugada. El personaje jugador como agente multidimensional generador de verosimilitud en el videojuego narrativo.
PhD Student: Àngel Colom Pons
Directors: Jaume Radigales i Lluís Anyó
Date of defense: 06/06/2023

Title: The political and mediàtic elites on Twitter. An analysis of the accounts that the Spanish media, journalists, and membres of the parliament started following.
Student: Verónica Israel Turim
Directors: Josep Lluís Micó i Alfons Medina Cambron
Tutor: Josep Lluís Micó
Date of defense: 21/12/2022

Title: The American and British Press Coverage of Reforms in Saudi Arabia and the Peersonality of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (The Washington Post and The Guardian as Examples).
Student: Rasha Abdallah Salameh Salameh
Director: Elena Yeste Piquer
Date of defense: 20/12/2022

Títol: Cultural Sustainability and the SDGs in the European Union and Andorran cultural policie

Doctoranda: Susanna Ferran Vila

Director/s: Dr. Josep Rom i Dra. Giorgia Miotto

Data defensa: 09/09/2022

Title: Ciudadanos: del Parlamento de Cataluña al Congreso de los Diputados. Evolución estratégica y comunicativa (2006-2019).
Student: Adriana Mayo Fuentes
Director: Dr. Ferran Sàez Mateu
Date of defense: 13/05/2022

Title: The use of infotainment and Twitter in television sports journalism in Spain. The cases of Estudio Estadio, El Club de la Mitjanit, Deportes Cuatro and El Chiringuito de Jugones
Student: David Puertas Graell
Director: Dr. Jaume Suau Martínez
Advisor: Dr. Sue Aran Ramspott
Date of defense: 08/03/2022

Title: Barcelona Ciutat Digital i Amsterdam Smart City. Estratègies i canals de comunicació i participació ciutadana: webs i Twitter
Student: Nina Surinyac Carandell
Directors: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez and Dr. Alfons Medina Cambron
Advisor: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 07/03/2022

Title: 2010-2020. Brecha digital, ecografía de una sociedad quebrada: cuando los milenials entraron en la secundaria española
Student: Javier Sastre Freixa
Director: Dr. Jordi Busquet Duran
Advisor: Dr. Jordi Busquet Duran
Date of defense: 04/03/2022

Title: Facebook Advertising likeability factors in Pakistan: As a way to understand the relationship between Pakistan’s Culture and Advertising.
Student: Sohail Riaz
Directors: Dr. Josep A. Rom Rodríguez and Dr. Enric Ordeix Rigo
Date of defense: 23/02/2022

Title: La recerca de l'estil cinematogràfic: La influència de les arts visuals en la composició del pla
Student: Judith Colell
Director: Dr. Sue Aran Ramspott
Advisor: Dr. Sue Aran Ramspott
Date of defense: 01/18/2022

Title: Política en l'era digital: l'impacte de les noves pautes comunicatives en la política catalana durant la crisi institucional de 2017
Student: Marta Pascal Capdevila
Director: Dr. Ferran Sáez Mateu
Advisor: Dr. Ferran Sáez Mateu
Date of defense: 12/17/2021

Title: Sports Data Journalism: Data driven journalistic practices in Spanish newspapers
Student: Zehila Isil Vural
Director: Dr. Pere Masip
Advisor: Dr. Pere Masip
Date of defense: 07/23/2021

Title: Audiovisual representations of Artificial Intelligence in Dystopian Tech Societies: Scaremongering or Reality? The Cases of Black Mirror (Charlie Brooker, 2011). Ex Machina (Alex Garland. 2017) and Her (Spike Jonze 2014)
Student: Goksu Akkan
Directors: Dr. Klaus Zilles and Dr. Sue Aran Ramspott
Advisor: Dr. Sue Aran Ramspott
Date of defense: 05/27/2021

Title: La automatización de estrategias transmedia. Una herramienta de comunicación para el discurso de la obra de arte contemporáneo a partir de lo interactivo
Student: Laia Vidal Morata
Directors: Dr. Jaume Radigales and Dr. Arnau Guifreu
Advisor: Dr. Jaume Radigales
Date of defense: 06/28/2021

Title: Nuevas maneras de ver la televisión, nuevas maneras de anunciarse. El impacto de los cambios en los hábitos de consumo audiovisual en la relación de las marcas con su audiencia
Student: Josep M Picola
Director: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Advisor: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 06/29/2021

Title: La crítica televisiva en la era de la hiperconectividad: Los Bad Fans" de Breaking Bad según Emily Nussbaum
Student: Clàudia Vives-Fierro
Director: Dr. Fernando de Felipe
Date of defense: 04/09/2021

Title: Las marcas públicas de calidad en alimentación. Claves para conseguir marcas regionales fuertes
Student: Marta Salvat Benlloch
Director: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Codirector: Dr. Pilar Buil Gazol
Date of defense: 12/18/2020

Title: El rol de los medios de comunicación en la exclusión de los pueblos indígenas del Perú en tiempos de globalización. El comercio y su perspectiva sobre el Baguazo
Student: Vania Illarec Távara Palacios
Director: Dr. Jordi Busquet Duran
Date of defense: 12/14/2020

Title: El treball per projectes en els ensenyaments superiors en disseny de producte
Student: Guillem Ferran Masip
Director: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Codirector: Dr. Alfons Medina Cambron
Date of defense: 09/29/2020

Title: Neo-Distopia: una aproximació històrica i genèrica a la distopia audiovisual dels segle XXI
Student: Roger González Mercader
Director: Dr. Fermando de Felipe Allué
Date of defense: 09/09/2020.

Title: Estrategias de comunicación y comunidades virtuales. Evaluación y análisis de sitios web de educación medioambiental en Colombia, Costa Rica y Brasil
Student:Sonia Herminia Roa Trujillo
Directors: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez and Dr. Joan F Fondevila
Advisor: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 01/30/2020

Title: I think therefore I am...? An exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) marketing practitioner perceptions and practices
Student:Timothy Edward Bant Breen
Director: Dr. Pere Masip
Advisor: Dr. Pere Masip
Date of defense: 03/10/2020

Title: El fantàstic en mons ordinaris: Shyamalan o la segona generació de Storytellers fantàstics
Student:Anna Tarragó
Director: Dr. Sue Aran Ramspott
Advisor: Dr. Sue Aran Ramspott
Date of defense: 04/23/2020

Title: Slow Media and Religion. The New Digital Journalism as an Agora for Understanding
Student: Alba Sabaté
Directors: Dr. Josep Lluís Micó and Dr. Míriam Díez
Advisor: Dr. Josep Lluís Micó
Date of defense: 04/24/2020

Title: Cultura, organització i resistència mediàtica
Student: Eloi Aymerich Casas
Directors: Dr. Albert Sáez Casas and Dr. Joan Subirats
Date of defense: 11/18/2019
Tutor: Dr. Albert Sáez Casas
Qualification: Excelllent Cum Laude

Title: La comunicación ritual. El caso de la ceremonia inaugural de los Juegos Olímpicos de Barcelona'92
Student: Marta Ribot Blázquez
Director: Dr. Jordi Busquet Duran
Date of defense: 07/09/2019

Title: Los Fundamentos estéticos y artísticos de la dirección de arte en publicidad
Student: Claudia Inés Vélez Ochoa
Directors: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez and Dr. Omar Muñoz Sánchez
Date of defense: 07/18/2019

Title: Estrategias de comunicación en la nueva economía: relaciones públicas y publicidad en la era digital. Los casos de estudio de Wallapop, Westwing y Fotocasa
Student: Patricia Coll Rubio
Director: Dr. Josep Lluís Micó
Date of defense: 03/19/2018

Title: The Use of New Media and ICT by Social Movements in Contemporary Processes of Political Activism
Student: Marc Perelló Sobrepere
Director: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 12/21/2018

Title: Copia y pega. Cómo las multinacionales construyen las noticias. Los breves de empresa en los diarios "La Vanguardia" y "El Mundo de Catalunya". Estudio de similitud entre los breves y las notas de prensa
Student: Martínez Fernández, Jesús
Directors: Dr. Josep Lluís Micó and Dr. Francesc Pozo Montero
Date of defense: 01/10/2017

Title: La estrategia de comunicación del patrimonio desde la comunicación corporativa y las relaciones públicas. Análisis de un caso: el Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO en España
Student: Marc Compte Pujol
Directors: Dr. Albert Sáez Casas and Dr. Kathy Matilla Serrano
Date of defense: 02/10/2017

Title: El poder de las marcas del distribuidor. El caso Bosque Verde (de Mercadona) en la categoría Detergentes para Ropa en España
Student: Ester Almenar Taya
Director: Dr. Pere Masip
Date of defense: 01/08/2016

Title: Els estudis en Periodisme i Comunicació en relació a la indústria informativa: Una anàlisi des de la perspectiva de les habilitats, les competències, les plataformes i els formats. Els casos de la UPF, la URL i la UOC
Student: Alex Araujo Batlle
Director: Dr. Josep Lluís Micó
Date of defense: 01/11/2016

Title: La Democracia Digital y sus Artefactos: Implementación de las Aplicaciones de Asesoramiento al Voto (VAAs) en España, Chile y la Unión Europea
Student: Ana Cinthya Uribe Sandoval
Director: Dr. Jordi Busquet Duran
Date of defense: 01/12/2016

Title: La eficacia de las palancas comerciales y la promoción en el punto de venta
Student: Antonio Solanilla Pascau
Director: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 01/13/2016

Title: Els assassins d’El Capitán Trueno. La censura de les publicacions infantils i juvenils durant el franquisme. Estudi de l'evolució del marc legal i del seu impacte en els continguts publicats (1936-1982)
Student: Josep Vicent Sanchis Llàcer
Director: Dr. Albert Sáez Casas
Date of defense: 01/14/2016

Title: Comunicación de marca para vender. Los resultados de la construcción valor de marca desde la comunicación. Análisis de los Premios Eficacia
Student: Iolanda Casalà Surribas
Director: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 01/15/2016

Title: Miguel Gila: Un equívoc humor blanc. Entre Franco i l'antifranquisme
Student: Marc Lobato Guembe
Director: Dr. Ferran Sáez Mateu
Date of defense: 01/20/2016

Title: La enseñanza universitaria de la Ética y Deontología periodísticas y los desafíos morales de los informadores. Encuentros y desencuentros entre la academia y la profesión en la transición al Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior
Student: Eva Jiménez Gómez
Director: Dr. Carlos Miguel Ruiz Caballero
Date of defense: 01/21/2016

Title: Creación y posicionamiento de la Barcelona postolímpica como marca ciudad
Student: Consolidación Morillo Palomo
Directors: Dr. Joan Sabaté López and Dr. Isabel Solanas García
Date of defense: 01/22/2016

Title: Els esdeveniments mediàtics en l'era digital. La Via Catalana cap a la Independència
Student: Ismael Peracaula Juanola
Director: Dr. Jordi Busquet Duran
Date of defense: 01/26/2016

Title: Diseño gráfico y arte. Hacia una historia integrada. Las tensiones entre la historia del diseño gráfico y el arte: orígenes, límites e incidencias en los estudios superiores de diseño gráfico en España
Student: Maider Zulueta Yoldi
Director: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 01/28/2016

Title: ECOSOCIALISME, Comunicació política i societat postmoderna a la Catalunya democràtica. Teoria i història de l'ecosocialisme com a corrent de pensament en la Posmodernitat (1980-2015) a través de la seva representació política i mediàtica
Student: Jaume Risquete Sánchez
Directors: Dr. Manuel Parés Maicas and Dr. Albert Sáez Casas
Date of defense: 01/29/2016

Title: Memòria, veritat i justícia a Sud-àfrica: la Comissió Veritat i Reconciliació i el seu llegat
Student: Maria Dolors Genovés Morales
Directors: Dr. Ferran Sáez Mateu and Dr. Magdalena Sellés
Date of defense: 02/02/2016

Title: Redes sociales y comunicación publicitaria. La metodología SETAL para la obtención de insights publicitarios
Student: Xavier Duran Muñoz
Director: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 02/02/2016

Title: Ethics and Photojournalism: the visual representation for reality
Student: Miguel Franquet dos Santos Silva
Director: Dr. Ferran Sáez Mateu
Date of defense: 02/04/2016

Title: El papel de las marcas de moda en la construcción de la identidad personal
Student: Jordi Iglesias Martínez
Director: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 02/04/2016

Title: Atributs clau de la contemporaneïtat: Actius inspiracionals en els processos creatius, estímuls revulsius en les estratègies de marca
Student: Marta Marín Anglada
Director: Dr. Miquel Tresserras Majó
Date of defense: 02/05/2016

Title: Individuo, sociedad y cultura en la recepción mediática de la diáspora hispanoamericana
Student: Luis Gilberto Concepción Sepúlveda
Director: Dr. Alfons Medina Cambrón
Date of defense: 02/05/2016

Title: El endorsement de los celebrities y su influencia en el consumidor
Student: Míriam Julià Rich
Director: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 02/09/2016

Title: Traduciendo la mirada. Sobre la práctica del montaje en los remakes norteamericanos de las películas de terror japonesas contemporáneas
Student: Sandra Sánchez Lopera
Director: Dr. Fernando Felipe Allué
Date of defense: 02/09/2016

Title: Límites jurídicos de la publicidad en España. Marco normativo, anàlisis jurisprudencial y gestión profesional
Student: Sandra Vilajoana Alejandre
Director: Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 02/10/2016

Title: Francesc Maspons i Anglasell: Polític, jurista, periodista (1872-1967)
Student: Jose Manuel García Izquierdo
Directors: Dr. Josep Maria Figueres Artigues and Dr. Carles Ruíz Caballero
Date of defense: 02/10/2016

Title: Usos periodísticos de Twitter. Una comparativa entre redacciones tradicionales y digitales en Catalunya y Bélgica
Student: Susana Pérez-Soler
Director: Dr. Josep Lluís Micó
Date of defense: 03/03/2016

Title: El caso Netflix 2012-2015. Nuevas formas de pensar la producción, distribución y consumo de series dramáticas
Student: Josefina Cornejo Stewart
Directors: Dr. Iván Gómez García and Dr. Fernando de Felipe Allué
Date of defense: 06/07/2016

Title: Evolution of the media market and its legal framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the independence: special focus on defamation
Student: Kristina Cendic
Directors: Dr. Carles Ruíz Caballero and Dr. Joan Barata i Mir
Date of defense: 11/04/2016

Title: La Tercera Edat Dorada de la Televisión. Battlestar Galactica y las Nuevas Formas de Pensar, Hacer y Consumir el Drama Televisivo Norteamericano
Student: Noor Yasmina Benchichah López
Directors: Dr. Fernando de Felipe Allué and Dr. Iván Gómez García
Date of defense: 01/13/2015

Title: El debate epistemológico en el periodismo informativo. Realidad y verdad en la información
Student: Pablo Capilla García
Director: Dr. Albert Sáez Casas
Date of defense: 03/19/2015

Title: Citizens and online media participation. Attitudes and motivations towards participatory journalism and other practices in London and Barcelona
Student: Jaume Suau Martínez
Director: Dr. Pere Masip
Date of defense: 04/08/2015

Title: La polivalència periodística a les agències de notícies: Un estudi comparatiu entre els perfils professionals de l'ACN, EFE i Europa Press
Student: Guillem Sánchez Marin
Director: Dr. Josep Lluís Micó
Date of defense: 04/09/2015

Title: ¿Interés público o interés público? Periodismo, mercado y democracia en la era de la analítica web
Student: Santiago Javier Justel Vázquez
Director: Dr. Josep Lluís Micó
Date of defense: 04/08/2015

Title: La influencia de Rafael Roldós Viñolas en el nacimiento y desarrollo de la actividad publicitaria en España: su obra y su legado (1857-1957)
Student: Carolina Serra Folch
Director: Dr. Joan Sabaté López
Date of defense: 06/15/2015

Title: Jim Jarmusch desde la postmodernidad. Las teorías posmodernas como fuente de análisis de las películas de Jim jarmusch
Student: Raúl Martínez Torres
Directors: Dr. Jaume Radigales and Dr. Klaus Zilles
Date of defense: 06/29/2015

Title: La batalla de la persuasió durant la Guerra Civil. El cas del Comissariat de Propaganda de la Generalitat de Catalunya (1936-1939)
Student: Ester Boquera Diago
Director: Enric Marín Otto
Date of defense: 07/16/2015

Title: El branding made in Spain: la marca España en la internacionalización de las marcas de calzado y moda
Student: Sylviane Leca
Director: Josep Rom
Date of defense: 07/20/2015

Title: Música i intel·ligència espiritual a través de l'audiovisual
Student: Maria Assumpta Montserrat Rull
Directors: Dr. Jaume Radigales and Dr. Francesc Torralba
Date of defense: 01/12/2015

Title: Repensar la Indagación Apreciativa desde la perspectiva de su plasticidad
Student: Damas Basté García
Director: Ceferí Soler
Date of defense: 15/12/2015

Title: El sector de l'exhibició cinematrogràfica a Catalunya en l'era de la digitalització (2000-2013). Evolució i anàlisi. Formes d'exhibició alternatives als cinemes independents. El cas del Cinema Truffaut de Girona
Student: Francesc Xavier Vilallonga Montañá
Director: Dr. Alfons Medina Cambrón
Date of defense: 12/17/2015

Title: Constructing The Social Personality in Organizations: Essentials of Managing the Social Commitment According to the Parameters Reached by the Study "Excellence in Public Relations and Communication Management”
Student: Enric Ordeix
Director: Josep A. Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 01/24/2014

Title: Estructura y políticas públicas ante los nuevos retos de la distribución y consumo digital de contenido audiovisual. Los proyectos de vídeo bajo demanda de cine filmin y universciné
Student: Judith Clarés Gavilán
Directors: Alfons Medina and Miquel Salvador
Date of defense: 07/08/2014

Title: Marketing Viral: claves creativas de la viralidad publicitaria
Student: Sílvia Sivera Bello
Directors: Dr. Joan Sabaté López and Dr. Isabel Jiménez
Date of defense: 07/10/2014

Title: La música clásica preexistente en el cine ambientado en la segunda mitad del siglo XVIII. Usos estéticos, tópicos y anacronismos
Student: Yaiza Bermúdez Cubas
Director: Dr. Jaume Radigales
Date of defense: 07/21/2014

Title: Las campañas de crowdfunding. Su eficacia en proyectos lucrativos y causas sociales
Student: Judit Mata Monforte
Directors: Dr. Pere Masip and Dr. Josep Rom Rodríguez
Date of defense: 10/01/2014

Scholarships

7% discount on the doctorate for Blanquerna alumni

Blanquerna-URL official degree students can enjoy a 7% discount on doctoral registration for each course they enroll, with a maximum of 4 courses in this doctorate.

Blanquerna Research Scholarships

Scholarships announced by Blanquerna schools for master degree and PhD students with the aim of promoting the training of young researchers and supporting research groups. The announcement is made public on the bulletin boards of the schools and on the website.

AGAUR research scholarships

Scholarships announced by the Agency for the Management of University and Research Grants from the Department of Innovation, Universities and Research for master degree and PhD students at Catalan universities.

AGAUR grant for industrial doctorates

Every year, the Generalitat de Catalunya opens a call from which it plans to provide financial support for industrial doctoral projects.

FPI scholarships

Scholarships announced by the Ministry of Education within the framework of the National Plan for Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation for master's and PhD students with the aim of promoting the training of university faculty.

FPU scholarships

Grants for research projects BBVA Foundation

These financial aids respond to the BBVA Foundation's commitment to promoting research and projecting it to society. They are used to carry out research projects in the fields of mathematics, climate change, ecology, conservation biology, biomedicine, social sciences and philosophy.

Carolina scholarships

Doctoral scholarships offered by the Carolina Foundation for the training in Spain of graduates who are nationals of a member country of the Ibero-American Community of Nations, with academic or professional ability backed by an excellent resume.

Universia scholarships

Scholarships awarded by the Universia Foundation and promoted by Banco Santander that encourage people with disabilities to obtain a doctorate degree and contribute to making the principle of equal opportunities effective through inclusive education.

Banc Sabadell financing

Banco Sabadell offers financing for all or part of school courses, university studies, language courses, a specialization course or attending a seminar, as well as related expenses, such as material, stay or transfer. With the possibility of starting to return the money at the end of the training.

Open

Gender perspective

As the European Union points out, gender equality is not only a matter of social justice but also affects the results of teaching and research. Promoting gender equality in research and innovation is one of the European Commission's commitments, and it supports the explicit integration of a gender perspective in Horizon 2020 projects. However, this recommendation is often poorly understood and misapplied. Various documents are presented here with a view to contributing to a better understanding and application of the gender perspective in teaching and research.

General framework for the incorporation of the gender perspective in university teaching

The gender perspective in teaching and research at the Xarxa Vives universities. Current situation and future challenges

Media Tools to make women's contributions visible

Questioning the gender perspective in research

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PhD in Communication

Objectives of the program

Making the knowledge of researchers available to society

Contributing to improving professional communication environments through innovation

Consolidating and strengthening the links between university and business

The PhD program seeks to develop the necessary skills and competences to train high-level researchers who can conduct solid research activity in the field of Communication

Who is it for?

Exit profile

University doctoral faculty and researcher in the disciplines of Communication and Humanities

Consultant and advisor in communication in communication offices, large corporations, public and private institutions

Communication professional

Tutorial assignment procedure and thesis supervision

Lines of research

Sociology of communication

Business communication

Cinema and television

Technology and communication

Journalism, politics and democracy

International relations

Mobility (International Relations)

Key data

Student follow-up

Calendar

Blanquerna FCRI, the fourth best in the State in Political Science according to U-Multirank

Blanquerna Outlook 2021 Report: Three out of four communication professionals believe that their company will recover between this year and 2022

Communication sector focused on the use of Big Data

Blanquerna FCRI organizes the second «Talent Day» specializing in communication in Catalonia

Academic information

General regulations

Length of studies

Languages

Law

Instructions for the preparation of the research plan and the document of activities of the doctoral candidates

Academic calendar for the 2025-26 academic year

Applications

Application for extension

Application for withdrawal

Application for change permanence regime

Application for co-direction

Application for the presentation of the doctoral thesis in the modality of compendium of publications

Confidential report on the doctoral student

Director's report on doctoral student's activities

Curriculum

Training activities for the 2025-26 academic year

All the facilities for you to access the PhD program

Career paths from the PhD

University teaching and research

University doctoral faculty and researcher in the disciplines of Communication and Humanities

Consultant and advisor in communication in communication offices, large corporations, public and private institutions

Institutions and companies that trust our PhD students

A direct link to your future career

State-of-the-art equipment

Television studios

Video post-production rooms

Multimedia laboratory

Professional cameras

Camera accessories

Audio equipment

Lighting equipment

Radio studios

Technological resources

Digital writing laboratory

Auditors

Art direction laboratory

Libraries

Computer rooms

Chapel

All the services you need during your time at the school

Audio-visuals

Programa de Mentoring

ICT services

Research ethics committees

Research Support Office

Bar / Restaurant

Academic Secretary

Student Information and Guidance Service (SIOE)

Internship service

Scholarships and grants service

International Mobility Office