"I truly feel like I am part of the DW Akademie family"

The International Media Studies master's program has been collaborating with the Institute of Press and Information Sciences (IPSI) at the University of Manouba in Tunisia since December 2022 and in close contact with Dr. Soumaya Berjeb as a coordinator over the three years. She has always been highly motivated to engage with us and our students through our activities, events and conferences. Dr. Berjeb has been invited as a keynote speaker to our biannual digital media debates several times and participated with great enthusiasm, sharing thought-provoking research findings and posing pertinent questions. 

We interviewed her for our new Alumni Newsletter series in which we will be introducting our international academic partners. Read more to get to know her and our cooperation partner IPSI.

DW Akademie: What are the key areas IPSI is focused on?

Dr. Berjeb: The Institute of Press and Sciences of Information (IPSI) at University of Manouba in Tunisia is a leading institution in media, communication, and information sciences, combining academic training, research, and professional preparation. IPSI offers programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels, covering journalism (print, audiovisual, digital), media and communication sciences, political and strategic communication, cross-media journalism, and research methods. The programs combine theoretical foundations with practical skills, preparing students for careers in national and international media.

Research is central to IPSI’s mission, particularly through its laboratory “Médias, communication et transition, (MCT IPSI LAB)” which examines organizational and political communication, media–society relations, digital media trends, and the impact of information technologies and AI. The institute promotes critical media studies, focusing on media systems, communication strategies, digital media evolution, and issues such as misinformation, media ethics, and media literacy. Its work is connected to international and francophone research networks, supporting publications and scientific events.

IPSI also emphasizes professional readiness, providing hands-on training, multimedia production skills, and collaborations with media institutions. This approach ensures that graduates are well-equipped to contribute to the media landscape, reflecting IPSI’s commitment to excellence, societal relevance, and the advancement of communication knowledge.

Which subjects do you teach?

I teach journalism courses, with a specialization in audiovisual production. My teaching focuses primarily on television and digital media production, including:

• TV talk show production
• Podcasts and vodcasts
• Television news programs
• Journalistic genres, such as portraits, reportages, investigative reports, and correspondences

Recently, my teaching has increasingly concentrated on multimedia and digital production. I currently teach audiovisual production for digital platforms, with a particular focus on formats such as features, short capsules, news recaps, and digital storytelling.

In addition, I train students in digital writing and publishing techniques for social media and journalistic websites, helping them adapt content to contemporary digital environments.

What is your research focus, and what are you currently working on?

My research primarily focuses on international media discourse, particularly in relation to political and geopolitical issues, as well as transformations in audiovisual media.

I am also a member of the MCT IPSI Laboratory, within the Media and Society research unit, where my work addresses the following themes:

• Media, gender, violence, and marginalized groups
• Media and migration: research on representations of irregular migration in Tunisian media platforms
• Media and climate change 
• Digital discourse and social transformation
• Media literacy and legal frameworks
• Artificial Intelligence and media 

My current research focuses on Artificial Intelligence and media, particularly the impact of AI on content production, journalism practices, and media ethics. Several of my studies have been published or presented through:

• IPSI Academic Journal
• University of Bordeaux Journal
• EUTIC International Conference
• AUSACE International Conference
• Sultan Qaboos University

Can you share some of the highlights for you in the past three years of our collaboration?

I have been extremely pleased to collaborate with DW Akademie, the IMS Program, and the MFJI master Program. My experience at DW Akademie in Bonn in 2023 was particularly enriching, as I spent a productive month exchanging ideas with colleagues and IMS students. During this period, I attended specialized courses and delivered academic presentations on AI and media and digital safety.

Through my collaboration with the IMS program, I was later invited to serve as an online keynote speaker at several IMS digital conferences. I participated in three international conferences addressing topics such as:

• Media and Artificial Intelligence (2023)
• Media and Communication networks (2024)
• The Local Tunisian Media Experience with AI Tools (2025)

I was also honored to be among the first keynote speakers in the inaugural online conference of the MFJI French master's program, and to supervise student selection exams in Tunis.

Additionally, my experience with the IMS opened up opportunities to collaborate with the DW MENA news desk in Bonn, allowing me to build strong professional relationships with managers and colleagues both in Bonn and in Tunis. Being selected to join the DW Akademie Global Reference Group further strengthened my professional engagement and expanded my capacity for meaningful academic exchange.

I am deeply grateful to the IMS team for their trust, encouragement, and high-quality collaboration. I sincerely appreciate all these valuable opportunities and truly feel like I am part of the DW Akademie family, a dynamic and inspiring international community.