On March 21, 2025, the School of Media and Communication hosted a research talk titled “Urban Media and the Public Sphere,” featuring Professor Yomi Braester, a distinguished scholar from the Department of Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Washington. Moderated by Professor Jiang Chang, the event attracted a diverse audience of students and faculty.

The lecture began with a warm welcome and introduction by Professor Chang, who highlighted Professor Braester’s interdisciplinary research, which focuses on Chinese cinephilia, digital media, and urban environments. His research provides fresh perspectives on how cities utilize media to shape collective identity and public discourse.

Rooted in Jürgen Habermas’ theories of the public sphere and incorporating academic literature, film clips, and case studies, Professor Braester analyzed the intricate relationship between urban media and the public sphere. He proposed a three-dimensional framework for analyzing urban media: materiality, discourse, and operational logic. Through case studies of iconic landmarks, including Shenzhen’s Ping An Finance Center and Hong Kong’s International Commerce Centre (ICC), he demonstrated the mediating role of urban media between physical space and social dialogue, blending commerce, art, and civic engagement.  

Expanding on this framework, Professor Braester redefined the core function of urban media, asserting that “city screens are not merely billboards or smartphone interfaces, but dynamic carriers of urban logic and collective memory.” His presentation systematically discussed urban media’s multifaceted features, societal influence, and the underlying power mechanisms that shape its presence in city life.

Following the lecture, Professor Chang highlighted the dual nature of urban media technologies in reshaping the public sphere, stressing their importance in understanding contemporary urban communication ecosystems. He encouraged scholars to adopt a balanced approach—one that embraces innovation while maintaining critical awareness.

        The lecture concluded with a lively Q&A session. Attendees—including Associate Professor Jing Meng, Assistant Professor Songyin Liu, and Lecturer Ziyin Li, as well as graduate and undergraduate students in international communication—posed incisive questions and engaged in dynamic discussions.