[Commlist] IV MeLCi Lab Autumn School

Call for Proposals: IV MeLCi Lab Autumn School

IV MeLCi Lab Autumn School – “Science Bootcamp to Boost Your Research 
Hands-On Skills”

Short description
The Media Literacy and Civic Cultures Lab – MeLCi Lab (Lusófona 
University, CICANT) is organising its IV Autumn School on 28-31 October 
2024 in the form of a bootcamp to boost research hands-on skills. The 
school is designed to provide PhD students and postdocs with practical 
knowledge of classical and cutting-edge research methods. To this end, 
the school embraces an interdisciplinary approach by welcoming debate 
from different theories and methodological integration (qualitative and 
quantitative). The School will bring together a group of international 
scholars for workshops and keynotes.
The upcoming MeLCi Lab Autumn School 2024 specifically aims to introduce 
PhD students and early research fellows in communication science, social 
science and related fields to the transformative influence of Artificial 
Intelligence (AI) on their field. The focus is on the intersection of 
AI, media literacy, and civic cultures. Notable scientists such as Tim 
Berners-Lee, the inventor of the Web and a leading advocate for data 
rights, and Yoshua Bengio, a pioneer of Deep Learning, emphasise the 
criticality of understanding AI in our ever-more digital society.
For example, as social media platforms increasingly use AI and machine 
learning algorithms to curate content, it is fundamental to understand 
how these algorithms work and influence online interactions. Authors 
such as Safiya Noble (2018), author of "Algorithms of Oppression", and 
Eli Pariser (2011), who coined the term "filter bubble", have shed light 
on this issue. They highlight the importance of comprehending the biases 
and assumptions built into these algorithms and how they can 
inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes or misinformation. Thus, 
Algorithmic literacy is crucial for future researchers in our field to 
understand how AI can empower and challenge democratic communication.
Understanding AI is no longer an option; it is necessary, particularly 
for communication science students. Inspired by works from scholars such 
as Nick Bostrom and Stuart Russell, this school will provide students 
with a non-technical understanding of AI, its implications, and its 
applications in communication science. We aim to demystify AI and 
illuminate its role in the future of communication.

The school will be held in English.

Call for proposals deadline
Deadline: 13 September 2024
See details about “how to apply”  a proposal at the bottom of this page.

Format
Online

Themes:
1.1. Introduction to AI: a non-technical overview
1.2. Role of AI in media: from media production to consumption
1.3. AI and information disorder: understanding AI's role in the spread 
and detection of the so-called “fake news”
1.4. Algorithms: understanding how to study the roles and effects of 
algorithmic literacy
1.5. AI in civic cultures: how AI is transforming civic participation
1.6. Ethical considerations: discussing the ethical implications of 
using AI in media and communication

Sub-themes:
2.1. Innovative Methodologies
2.2. Linking big and small data methods
2.3. Qualitative and participatory research
2.4. Social Platforms for Research
2.5. Communication research: scientific writing and dissemination
2.6. Arts-based dissemination

Dates
28 to 31 October 2024 – IV MeLCi Lab Autumn School

Schedule
Check the website for details: 
https://melcilab.cicant.ulusofona.pt/training/iv-melci-lab-autumn-school-science-bootcamp-to-boost-your-research-hands-on-skills/ 
<https://melcilab.cicant.ulusofona.pt/training/iv-melci-lab-autumn-school-science-bootcamp-to-boost-your-research-hands-on-skills/>

How to apply
Interested graduate students and postdocs must send their application 
 (in English) by 13 September 2024, including,
1. Updated Curriculum Vitae (máx. 3 pages);
2. Candidate’s research statement that includes a description of their 
doctoral dissertation, research questions and methods (máx. 2 pages);
3. Motivation letter specifying what you bring and expect from the 
School (indicating explicitly what themes and sub-themes are of your 
particular interest) máx. 1-2 pages;

Send your application as a ZIP file to (melci.lab /at/ ulusofona.pt) 
<mailto:(melci.lab /at/ ulusofona.pt)> with the subject “Application for the IV 
MeLCi Lab Autumn School”

Call for Proposals Deadline: 13 September 2024
Notification of Acceptance: 30 September 2024

Target-group
PhD Students
Early Career Researchers (with PhD obtained in the last three years)

Maximum number of participants
20 students

Fee *
Lusófona University, CICANT PhD Students 70 euros
PhD students from other Institutions 100 euros
Other 150 euros
*The best participant will not pay the fee; one Equity Scholarship to 
support the fee will also be awarded.



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