Bridging the gap
MULTICOM will train a new community of experts integrating humanistic backgrounds in language and thought with multimodal communication, data science, and their relevant technologies.
The multimodal revolution is already here. The data science of human multimodal communication will lead to the multiplication of scientific breakthroughs and disruptive technologies, based on the modeling of data from voice and bodily motion in connection with language and social interaction.
But multimodal communication is hard to study. We need an integrative analysis of data from the great variety of human multimodal behaviors, along with a sophisticated understanding of language, communication, and thought.
The gaps
Capturing the intricacies of human communication requires integrating complex data into research questions about language, cognition, communication, emotion, social interaction, or culture. But profiles in those areas seldom have the necessary data-science training. They also tend to be unfamiliar with the sophisticated technologies required to analyze video and audio input from communicative exchanges. Moreover, it is quite rare for anyone, from either the Sciences or the Humanities, to possess language-related training beyond text or the analysis of a single modality, such as speech or gesture.
MULTICOM bridges all three gaps
Multimodality
Data Science
Only basic quantitative skills are required for admission. Nevertheless, our students think in quantitative terms from day one. They receive intensive training in statistics and computing tailored to their needs as multimodal data scientists
Technology
Our students get hands-on training in all key technologies for the study of multimodal communication, along with the opportunity to influence their development through collaboration with top players across industry and academia