[Commlist] Dissemination Support_Call for Applications | From Play to Policy Winter School for Master’s & Doctoral Students

Call For Applications
Connecting games, film, animation and literacy


Application deadline: 16 October 2026

7-11 December 2026 | Online


Games, film, animation and other screen media are no longer only forms 
of entertainment. They are where young Europeans play, watch, learn, 
create and, increasingly, take part in public life. They are also 
industries undergoing profound transformation, shaped by digitalisation, 
artificial intelligence, sustainability imperatives, shifting audience 
practices, technological innovation and evolving geopolitical 
priorities. Across film, animation, video games, video-on-demand 
platforms and cultural education, new challenges are emerging around 
competitiveness, inclusion, environmental responsibility, cultural 
diversity, governance and international cooperation. At the same time, 
these transformations offer new opportunities for creativity, innovation 
and civic engagement.

 From Play to Policy asks how research on games, screen media and their 
audiences can inform the governance of Europe's cultural and creative 
ecosystems. The Winter School brings together current research from the 
European collaborative projects GAMEHEARTS (Grant Agreement No. 
101132543), REBOOT (Grant Agreement No.101094769), ANIMA MUNDI (Grant 
Agreement No. 101178027) and EuroCivic (Erasmus+ grant 
2024-1-HU01-KA220-SCH-000251467), in which the Media Governance and 
Industries Research Lab of the University of Vienna is a partner, and is 
organised in cooperation with Webster Vienna Private University. Over 
five days of panel discussions, paper presentations and collaborative 
work, participants will engage with themes including digital platforms 
and sustainability, innovation in the audiovisual and video game 
industries, cultural policy and international cultural relations, youth 
engagement and audiences, European identity and citizenship, and the 
role of culture in advancing democratic values.

We invite applications from Master's and Doctoral students from all 
relevant disciplines who wish to take part in the Winter School, 
contribute to discussions and, optionally, present a 15-minute paper 
based on their research. Participation is free of charge. We 
particularly welcome applications that engage with one or more of the 
following themes:

  *

    games and democracy

  *

    film industry, creative labour and fair work

  *

    animation and sustainability

  *

    digital creativity

  *

    AI governance

  *

    platform governance

  *

    cultural diversity

  *

    youth participation

  *

    audience engagement


Please read the Participant Guidelines before applying: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W_RTuvQHoC4A8RVEOq5_s86l0DuZ-8IA/view?usp=sharing 
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W_RTuvQHoC4A8RVEOq5_s86l0DuZ-8IA/view?usp=sharing>

Applications are submitted through the online form: 
https://forms.gle/wFck1RYBiQxn1zLD6 <https://forms.gle/wFck1RYBiQxn1zLD6>


Applications should include:

  *

    a brief CV (up to two pages);

  *

    a statement of purpose (up to 500 words) describing your research,
    its connection to one or more of the Winter School themes, and what
    you hope to gain from and contribute to the Winter School;

  *

    for those who wish to present a paper, an abstract of the proposed
    paper (up to 500 words).


Deadline for submission of applications and abstracts: 16 October 2026.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome by October 29th, 2026.


The Winter School takes place online LIVE from 7 to 11 December 2026 and 
8th is a public holiday. Participants who complete the programme receive 
a certificate of attendance from the University of Vienna.

For further information and the Participant Guidelines visit: 
https://mediagovernance.blog/2618-2/ <https://mediagovernance.blog/2618-2/>

Or contact : (gamehearts.research /at/ gmail.com)


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