[Commlist] Call for Applications | From Play to Policy Winter School for Doctoral Students

Call for applications

 From play to policy: Connecting games, film, animation and literacy

Application deadline: 23 October 2026
7–11 December 2026 | Online

Games, film, animation and other screen media are no longer simply forms 
of entertainment. They are spaces where young Europeans play, watch, 
learn, create and 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 Agreement No. 
2024-1-HU01-KA220-SCH-000251467), in which the Media Governance and 
Industries Research Lab at the University of Vienna is a partner. It 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.

*Who can apply?*
*
*
We invite applications from Master's and doctoral students from all 
relevant disciplines who wish to participate 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 addressing 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


*Application process*

Please read the Participant Guidelines before applying.
Applications must be submitted through the online application form.
Applications should include:

- A brief CV (maximum two pages).
- A statement of purpose (maximum 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 programme.
- An optional paper abstract (maximum 500 words) for applicants wishing 
to present a paper.

Deadline for submission of applications and abstracts:*23 October 2026.*
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 29 October 2026.

*Programme and participation*
The Winter School will take place live online from *7 to 11 December 
2026*. Please note that 8 December is a public holiday in Austria.
Participants who complete the programme will receive a certificate of 
attendance from the University of Vienna.
For further information and access to the Participant Guidelines, please 
visit:
https://mediagovernance.blog/2618-2/ <https://mediagovernance.blog/2618-2/>

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