iStream

The iStream project (Higher Education programmes on Immersive journalism approach) is an Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership in Higher Education (Project No. 2024-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000254186) coordinated by the University of Krakow (Poland). It brings together a multidisciplinary consortium from Italy, Cyprus, and France to modernize journalism education through the integration of immersive technologies.

iStream addresses the digital transformation gap in journalism and communication higher education. As the media landscape shifts toward spatial and interactive storytelling, there is a critical need for academic curricula that combine technical proficiency in Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality (VR/AR/MR) with traditional journalistic integrity and ethics. The project targets higher education students (BA/MA), professors, and media professionals, aiming to equip them with the tools to produce socially responsible immersive narratives.

The project’s core objectives are to:

  • Develop an innovative curriculum that bridges the gap between technology and journalistic storytelling.
  • Standardize competences for immersive journalism through a comprehensive European framework.
  • Foster ethical and psychological awareness regarding the impact of immersive “empathy-driven” media on audiences.
  • Enhance the digital readiness of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by providing practical guidelines for “Immersive Labs.”

Expected outcomes include:

  • The iStream Competence Framework, defining the specific skills needed for the future of the sector.
  • The iStream Curriculum, featuring 15 interdisciplinary modules ranging from Media Law to AI-driven 3D modelling.
  • The iStream Lab Guidelines, a practical handbook for setting up and running immersive media production units.
  • The iStream Community of Practice, an online space for educators and journalists to share best practices and project results.

IDL is responsible for the design and implementation of the iStream Lab Guidelines, a vital resource that provides step-by-step pedagogical and technical instructions for practical learning. IDL also leads the hands-on piloting and testing phases of the curriculum, ensuring that the technology—such as 360° imaging and spatial scanning—is accessible and effectively integrated into the learning experience. Additionally, IDL supports the project’s digital dissemination strategy, ensuring that the resources developed reach a wide audience of international stakeholders.