[Commlist] Call for Applications: 2026 Theory and Method Winter School

We would like to share the call for applications for our 2026 Theory and 
Method Winter School to take place from *January 6 – 8, 2026*, in *Doha, 
Qatar*. The topic of next year's Winter School is "*Media Policy and 
Governance*."

To view details and apply, please visit our website: 
https://bit.ly/2026winterschool

+++

Media Policy and Governance
2026 Theory and Method Winter School
Call for Applications

The Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South (#IAS_NUQ) is 
pleased to open a call for applications for the 2026 Theory and Method 
Winter School to take place from January 6 – 8, 2026 in Doha, Qatar. 
#IAS_NUQ Theory and Method Winter Schools are intended for graduate 
students and other early career scholars in the social sciences and 
humanities whose work engages media, communications, or information 
studies. The topic of this year’s Winter School is “Media Policy and 
Governance.”

About the Winter School

#IAS_NUQ Theory and Method Winter Schools are supported by Carnegie 
Corporation of New York and Directed by Marwan M. Kraidy under the 
Institute’s Arab Information and Media Studies (AIMS) project. The goal 
of the AIMS project is to expand the field of critical media and 
information studies in the Arab region and transform it into a more 
interdisciplinary, multilingual, collaborative, research-oriented, and 
policy-relevant field.

The Winter School is designed to develop critical skills for early 
career scholars of Arab media and communications, with an explicit focus 
on media policy, systems, and governance, as well as exposure to writing 
for public and policy audiences. It will consist of 1) three method and 
theory master classes led by faculty instructors, including Media Policy 
and Analysis, Arab Media Systems and Governance, and Crafting Policy 
Briefs and 2) graduate students and early career scholars presenting 
their research and receiving feedback from faculty instructors and other 
participants.

Following the Winter School, participants will be asked to submit a 
policy brief for publication by #IAS_NUQ_Press.

About #IAS_NUQ

The Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South at Northwestern 
University in Qatar (#IAS_NUQ) produces and promotes evidence-based 
storytelling focused on the histories, cultures, societies, and media of 
the Global South. Our inclusive vision of globality recognizes the 
diversities and inequalities that shape the societies we inhabit and 
study. Espousing a broadly humanistic approach, we harness traditions 
from the liberal arts, media, communication, and journalism to forge 
multidisciplinary and multimodal approaches to knowledge that are 
locally relevant and globally resonant.

Eligibility

Graduate students and other early career scholars in the social sciences 
and humanities working on topics related to media, communications, and 
information studies in the Arab region and other Global South contexts 
are encouraged to apply.

The working language at #IAS_NUQ is English; applicants should therefore 
have a strong command of English.

Application

Interested applicants should submit the following:

    Cover Page – Include your name, contact information, current title, 
and institutional affiliation; if applicable, include the name/contact 
information of your thesis/dissertation supervisor and expected 
completion date of degree.
    Research Proposal – Please apply with a research project relevant 
to the master class themes. Include the title of your project, research 
questions, topic significance, theoretical framework, methodological 
design, clear description of primary sources and necessary language 
skills, and where you are in the research process (1000 words maximum, 
not including bibliography).
    Policy Brief – Please include a short description of how you would 
transform your research project into a policy brief, summarizing the 
issue and highlighting its relevance (200 words maximum).
    Personal Narrative – Explain how your attendance at the 2026 Theory 
and Method Winter School can support your current research project and 
how you hope to benefit from attendance (500 words maximum).
    CV – Not to exceed two singled-spaced pages.

Please submit all application materials as a single PDF document to 
(ias /at/ qatar.northwestern.edu) by September 15, 2025.
Additional Information

#IAS_NUQ staff will review applications and may request additional 
information from applicants.

Accepted participants will be notified by email by October 15, 2025, and 
asked to submit a 3,000 – 5,000-word polished draft of research proposal 
and policy brief summary for feedback by December 1. Additional details 
will be provided at the time of acceptance.

Round-trip economy airfare, accommodation, and meals will be covered for 
the duration of the Winter School. Travel will only be booked upon 
submission of the revised research draft.

---------------
The COMMLIST
---------------
This mailing list is a free service offered by Nico Carpentier. Please use it responsibly and wisely.
--
To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit http://commlist.org/
--
Before sending a posting request, please always read the guidelines at http://commlist.org/
--
To contact the mailing list manager:
Email: (nico.carpentier /at/ commlist.org)
URL: http://nicocarpentier.net
---------------