[Commlist] Call for participants: Global Media Policy Working Group panels on uni EdTech/AI and members' AI advocacy

The Global Media Policy Working Group (GMP) of the International 
Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) invites 
expressions of interest from participants who wish to take part in one 
of two*interactive workshops at its 2026 conference, to be held from 28 
June to 2 July 2026 in Galway, Ireland, hosted by the University of 
Galway. *

**

 1. *Educational technology (EdTech), AI, and IT policies in universities*

Educational and artificial intelligence technologies are of growing use 
and importance in universities, while IT services provide essential 
infrastructure. EdTech, AI, and IT raise important questions about the 
influence of technologies and IT companies over educational 
institutions, the participation of faculty and students in university 
decisionmaking and learning processes, accessibility and learning 
modalities, and the future of universities.

     1. What is the level of, and what are the mechanisms for, faculty
        members’ input and decision-making power over decisions about
        EdTech, AI, and university IT?

i.Are faculty associations or unions engaged on these issues? If so, how?

ii.Are students engaged in consultation and decisionmaking on these 
issues? If so, how?

iii.What positions and bodies within the university have responsibility 
for EdTech and EdTech policies, AI policies, and university IT?

iv.Is there a central policy on the use of GenerativeAI? If so, what is 
it and what are the ongoing issues?

     2. What issues are important for discussion in this realm?
     3. How have EdTech, AI, and IT policies at your university (or
        universities in general) changed recently, or in the past 20 years?
     4. What groups, factors, or trends have influence on these issues?
          What are the roles played by global, as well as national,
        EdTech firms, actors, and interests?
     5. What changes are needed? What are the implications for global
        media policy and governance arrangements?

 2. *IAMCR members’ own advocacy and policy interventions surrounding AI
    regulation and governance during the past year, at any level*

IAMCR members have long been involved in various forms of policy and 
governance advocacy. IAMCR serves as an important place where members 
can share advocacy experiences and approaches. Members are invited to share:

     1. What was the intervention?
     2. What led to the intervention? What is the background on the AI
        regulation or governance issue in which you intervened?
     3. What is the hoped for or expected outcome of the intervention?
     4. How do you see the global media policy
        contexts/connections/framing of the intervention?  (Not sure
        here also whether something about resources, tools, etc, could
        be added?)

*If you are interested in participating in one of the two workshops, 
please send an expression of interest by email to GMP chair Gerard 
Goggin ((G.Goggin /at/ westernsydney.edu.au) 
<mailto:(G.Goggin /at/ westernsydney.edu.au)>) and Vice Chair Sara Bannerman 
((banners /at/ mcmaster.ca) <mailto:(banners /at/ mcmaster.ca)>) by _Friday March 6_, 
2026 at 23h59 UTC, indicating:*

  * which workshop you are interested in participating in;
  * A 150 word bio that includes a description of your role and
    experience relevant to the workshop;
  * A 500 word summary of your comments in answer to the workshop
    questions that you wish to speak to.


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