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Global Perspectives for the Common Good
General information
The 1st DCLead Salzburg School, hosted by the University of Salzburg, will be held from 29 September to 2 October 2025 in Puchberg, Austria.
The DCLead Salzburg School is an initiative by the DCLead Consortium and the Euromedia Research Group.
With a focus on “Communication Leadership”, this unique school equips participants with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complex interplay of rapid technological advancements, ethical considerations, and societal needs. It provides a platform to critically engage with pressing global challenges and contribute to the advancement of sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking digital communication practices.
The School will last from Monday to Thursday and the courses are taught in English. It is aimed at early-stage researchers and professionals worldwide.
Programme
Keynote 1 (Monday)
Speaker:
Mike Annany
Keynote 2 (Wednesday): ``AI in Research: Navigating Tools, Ethics, and Best Practices for Literature Reviews``
Speaker:
Wendy van den Broeck
Workshop Summary:
Artificial intelligence is transforming how researchers conduct literature reviews, from automating searches to summarizing findings. This workshop will introduce PhD students to AI-powered tools that can enhance their research workflow, such as finding literature, generating citations, and content summarization. However, the growing reliance on AI also raises ethical concerns, including bias, reliability, and transparency. We will critically examine the opportunities and risks of using AI in academic research and discuss best practices for responsible use. The session will include interactive discussions where participants can share their experiences, explore different tools, and reflect on the role of AI in their own research practices.
Roundtable 1: ``North-South dynamics in digital communication``
Chair:
Tales Tomaz
With:
Jozon A. Lorenzana (Ateneo de Manila University), Daniele Canedo (Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia) and Naila Hamdy (American University in Cairo)
Roundtable 2: ``Sustainability``
Chair:
Sergio Sparviero
With:
TBA
Why join the DCLead Salzburg School?
Holistic Approach
The school emphasizes five key competencies critical for fostering sustainable societies.
- Ethics and Social Responsibility
- Societal Values and Cultures
- Policy and Innovation
- Sustainability and Human Development
- Business and Management
Together, these competencies empower leaders to manage and anticipate future technological developments, understand their broader context, and harness these new technologies to serve societal needs both in the Global North and South, guiding others toward pioneering and sustainable advancements.
Thematic Focus
The DCLead Salzburg School focuses on the theme Digital Communication and Sustainable Societies: Global Perspectives for the Common Good. Each edition, two sub-themes are selected for in-depth exploration through keynote speeches, roundtable discussions and student input
Global Perspective
Designed for leaders addressing societal needs in both the Global North and South, the Programme is rooted in inclusivity and sustainability
All-inclusive Experience
The DCLead Salzburg School does not only provide courses, lectures and workshops but also full board and lodging as well as cultural experiences for the participants
Applications are open
Join the DCLead Salzburg School
Our theme
Digital Communication and Sustainable Societies: Global Perspectives for the Common Good
This theme explores how global society can harness the maturity of communications and media technologies to promote environmental sustainability, inclusiveness, and social well-being. The concept of the Common Good is rooted in the United Nations’ notions of sustainability and sustainable development, which have become global reference frameworks through a multi-stakeholder approach. These examples, now part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), provide a base for action in the future. But there are still ongoing debates about what these plans should look like and what should be done first, and these are influenced by different beliefs and ideas about the world.
Central to this vision—impacting both public and private actors—are the principles of technology governance and responsible innovation, which ensure that technological advancements are ethically guided and aligned with societal values. The current developments addressed by this theme include recent advances in technology, particularly in AI, but also significant socio-institutional transformations.
The latter, including digital inequalities, polarization, and disinformation, highlight the interconnected and global nature of today’s challenges. Addressing them requires collaboration among diverse actors such as governments, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, and private enterprises. This interconnectedness has driven the creation of new regulatory frameworks and emphasized the necessity of multi-stakeholder cooperation. Sustainable societies can only be built through holistic approaches that prioritize equitable North-South relations. Organizations like the United Nations and the European Union, along with civil society and private corporations, are advancing efforts in key areas such as Internet governance, digital inclusion, ethical AI development, data privacy, and climate-focused technology. These initiatives exemplify how coordinated actions across sectors can address complex challenges and foster sustainable solutions.
Cost and accommodation
Please check this list to determine if your country of residence is classified as high currency. Any country not included in this list is considered a low-currency country.
The programme includes full board for participants throughout the event, covering meals, accommodation and the planned excursions to Linz and Salzburg.
Option to upgrade from a double to a single room for an additional € 100 (for 3 nights) possible.
Participant
From high-currency countries
€490
- Full board
- All meals
- Accommodation double room (+100€ for single room)
- Excursions to Linz and Salzburg
Participant
From low-currency countries
€250
- Full board
- Meals
- Accommodation double room (+100€ for single room)
- Excursions to Linz and Salzburg
Who should apply?
The DCLead Salzburg School welcomes:
- Researchers and academics seeking interdisciplinary approaches to digital communication.
- Practitioners in technology, policy, or communications aiming to develop ethical and sustainable practices.
- Graduate students with a strong interest in addressing global societal challenges through technology and communication.
Application Procedure
The application deadline for the DCLead Salzburg School is March 30, 2025 EXTENDED to April 30, 2025.
A maximum of 20 students will be offered a spot at the DCLead Salzburg School.
Applicants will be notified via email by May 16, 2025.
The application must include an abstract (3,000–6,000 characters), a motivation letter (up to 5,000 characters), and the details of a referee, including their email address.
The referee will be contacted directly and asked to complete a reference form.
Logistics
The DCLead Salzburg School is organised as a green event.
All participants are encouraged to use public transportation.
Arrival: Monday, 29 September 2025
Convenient arrival options include the airports Linz, Salzburg, Vienna, or Munich (each offering easy train connections to the venue in Puchberg).
Departure: Thursday, 2 October 2025
There are convenient options to travel from Salzburg (railway station or airport). Easy train connections are available to major international airports in Vienna and Munich.
Credits
Credits for the courses are 5 ECTS.