When I took the step for registering myself for the 5th International Conference on Media Science and Digital Communication (MSDC 2025), I went with high hopes. I wanted to learn from others about media, build a network and fellow media enthusiasts and hopefully contribute some insights of my work to the wider global scientific community. Looking back, I realise that the MSDC 2025 was an absolutely fantastic conference which turned to be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my academic life so far. As a South African researcher, having completed my Master’s studies at North-West University (NWU) and now a PhD candidate at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University), my research focus has always revolved around the way we represent and perceive ourselves, others and cultures through media.
The MSDC 2025 conference gave me a great opportunity to dive deeper into this area and meet other researchers from around the global as well.
My research at the conference focused on The Representation of African Womanhood in South African Netflix Originals. My study looked at the representation of African women on digital media platforms, particularly on the increasing number of Netflix Original series from Africa. With a larger portion of African centered stories reaching the worldwide audience via platforms like Netflix, I felt that it was important to assess how they conveyed and how they influence people’s thinking.
Even though I had attended the conference online, I still felt equally connected.
Overall the organising team of the MSDC 2025, made this a well-orchestrated, energising and stimulating experience where everyone was involved through questions and thoughtful debates.
But what really impressed me was the many researchers around the world and from such different backgrounds , all brought together by our interest in media and digital communication. I have to admit, I was quite anxious before I made my presentation, especially since this was my first international conference. But as soon as I started my talk, all my nervousness was replaced by excitement.
It felt truly empowering to share my research, to contribute to the ongoing conversations on the representation of Africans on a global scale. It was such a excellent conference and I left new research and theoretical approaches i can hopefully use in my own research and plenty exciting new practices and debates to engage with. if anything, I ended up reflecting more and more on how I engage with research.
Definitely the most exciting part of the MSDC 2025, was when I won the Overall Best Presentation Award! Hearing my name and watching it all unfold from thousands of miles away made my heart stop. A great feeling to know that your work resonated with the judges and other delegates at the event, was simply one of the most humbling achievements I’ve ever experienced.
This experience reaffirmed something I feel deeply, the vital contribution of African centered scholarships make to academic discourse worldwide.
As researches, we have the responsibility to add our voices to the debate about media, culture and society. As a Master’s graduate now heading into my PhD, the award for me represents my growth as a researcher, and to continue on my journey as an emerging scholar.
If you’re planning on attending a future MSDC conference, I highly recommend it. Whether you’re a new researcher or a seasoned academic, there is space in the MSDC conference for you, one where your work will be heard and celebrated, your ideas valued and important new friendships forged.
MSDC 2025 was so much more than a conference, it was a learning experience and a rediscovery of why I fell in love with research in the first place. As I begin to navigate the mine field that is my PhD, I am taking away the knowledge, relationships and the newfound confidence that I have gained from this event, and I look forward to seeing many more researchers follow suit and experience the deeply rewarding journey that MSDC provided.
By : Koketso Rabanye
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