19 - 23 October 2026 DCLead Salzburg School Digital Communication and Sustainable Societies:
Global Perspectives for the Common Good DISCOVER MORE

Update
We regret to inform you that the DCLead Salzburg School will not take place in 2025.

However, we are pleased to announce that the next edition is already scheduled to take place from the 19-23 October 2026, in Strobl, Wolfgangsee, Austria. Applications will open in February 2026. The full programme will be published later in 2025.

Please check this page regularly for updates.

General information

The 1st DCLead Salzburg School, hosted by the University of Salzburg, will be held from 19-23 October 2026 in Strobl, Wolfgangsee, Austria.

Applications will open in February 2026. The full programme will be published later in 2025.

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

The full programme will be published in Autumn 2025.

Why join the DCLead Salzburg School?

Holistic Approach

The school emphasizes five key competencies critical for fostering sustainable societies.

  1. Ethics and Social Responsibility
  2. Societal Values and Cultures
  3. Policy and Innovation
  4. Sustainability and Human Development
  5. 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 will open in February 2026

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
Apply now
  • Full board
  • All meals
  • Accommodation double room (+100€ for single room)
  • Excursions to Linz and Salzburg

Participant

From low-currency countries

€250
Apply now
  • 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.
International Scientific Committee
Hanan Badr

Department of Communication Studies
Paris Lodron University of Salzburg

Linkedin
Daniele Canedo

Center for Culture, Languages and Applied Technologies
Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia

Linkedin
Naila Hamdy

School of Global Affairs & Public Policy
The American University in Cairo, Egypt

Linkedin
Anders Hansen Henten

Department of Electronic Systems
Aalborg University

Linkedin
Leah A. Lievrouw

Department of Information Studies
University of California, Los Angeles

Jozon A Lorenzana

Department of Communication
Ateneo de Manila University

Hannu Nieminen

Department of Social Research, Media and Communication Studies
University of Helsinki

Sergio Sparviero

Department of Communication Studies
Paris Lodron University of Salzburg

Linkedin
Reza Tadayoni

Institut for Elektroniske Systemer
Aalborg University

Linkedin
Tales Tomaz

Department of Communication Studies
Paris Lodron University of Salzburg

Linkedin
Josef Trappel

Head of Department of Communication Studies
Paris Lodron University of Salzburg

Linkedin
Leo Van Audenhove

Department of Communication Studies
Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Linkedin
Wendy van den Broeck

Department of Communication Studies
Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Linkedin
Patrik Wikstrom

School of Communication
Queensland University of Technology

Linkedin
Application Procedure

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.

Credits

Credits for the courses are 5 ECTS.