Interview with Jorge Vázquez

“Design a digital product that represents the ‘Caminho
Português de Santiago’ as a cross-border destination”

Jorge Vázquez is a PhD Student in Communication and Contemporary Information from the University of Santiago de Compostela, member of Novos Medios research group and Cátedra Latinoamericana de Narrativas Transmedia (Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina). His research is on interactive nonfiction digital storytelling, focusing on the knowledge of interactive documentary and interactive narratives in online media. He was at the CECS betwin February and March of 2018, within the framework of the IACOBUS Program, in order to develop research work based on the project “Camiño Atlántico”, in collaboration with researchers Pedro Portela and Ana Melo. With this investigation, he intends to “design a digital product that represents the ‘Caminho Português de Santiago’ as a cross-border destination”.

Q – The research topic developed at the CECS, within the framework of the IACOBUS Program, aims to develop research works based on the “Camiño Atlántico” project. In what does consist your research?
A – The Iacobus Programme has different strategic lines, among them linked to ICT and creative industries, as well as tourism in the Galicia-North Portugal Euroregion. My area of expertise is interactive nonfiction, so I propose to design a digital product that represents the “Caminho Português de Santiago” as a cross-border destination.

Q – From what you have already explored, have the indicators met your research expectations?
A – Firstly, is elaborated a state of the art regarding the structure, financing, research and official tourist information about the “Caminho Português de Santiago” in the Euroregion. An opportunity has been identified to strengthen the brand “two countries, one destination” promoted by the public institutions of Spain and Portugal.

Q – Why did you decide to develop your research at CECS?
A – The CECS is a reference research center in the Communication area, where I can contact with experts in digital narratives and strategic communication. There are several other factors in which the CECS takes part: the ongoing H2020 project on transmedia literacy and the candidacy of Braga as Creative City (UNESCO), which the research center is associated.

Q – What results do you expect at the end of your research?
A – I hope to have a proposal that serves to position the “Caminho Português de Santiago” as a cross-border destination, supported by the audiovisual and participatory nature of an interactive documentary. Also, the results will be framed in the exploration of new development ways of interactive nonfiction of my PhD thesis.

Interview conducted by Vítor de Sousa and answered by writing.