Narratives and interactive experiences developed across different media platforms—each of which contributes something unique and valuable to the whole—have become standard fixtures in the contemporary digital landscape. The term ‘transmedia storytelling’ has enjoyed particular currency within academic circles while the media industry speaks in terms of multiplatform experiences. Much has been written on the subject in the academic and industry press, though new technologies and the pressure to do something innovative with the digital medium mean that the idea and practice of transmedia are in flux. While the debate over what to call this phenomenon remains unresolved, there is no denying its profound impact on the relationship between media producers, audiences/users, digital content and the devices used to consume and produce it.
Naming conventions remain a contentious issue, however, there is also a need to examine other aspects of this emerging industry to ensure its ongoing sustainability. This is an ideal moment to explore issues such as models for benchmarking, techniques for user engagement, value measurement, pedagogy and curriculum design, and evaluative techniques for complex and dynamic user engagement from a range of inter- and multi-disciplinary approaches. Indeed, because Transmedia is the product of interaction across the fields of creative writing, IT, film, television, media studies, economics, public policy, creative design, and education an equally multidisciplinary approach is needed to investigate and clarify questions around its emergence, implications and potential for future development.
As part of Inter-Disciplinary.Net‘s Digital Research Nexus, the Global Research Project on Transmedia seeks to facilitate a more robust understand of this complex, yet vitally important phenomenon through programming such as conferences, seminars, workshops, courses, publishing and other sorts of educational activities. These events will be held on an ongoing basis in locations around the world, creating platforms for dialogues that are enriched by the presence of academics, industry professionals and other stakeholders, as well as audience/users from across the disciplinary spectrum.
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