Critical AI Policy Virtual Fellowship 2026 is an international research program hosted by the Digital Society Research Cluster in collaboration with the Center for Digital Ethics and Policy (CDEP) at Loyola University Chicago.
This initiative brings together interdisciplinary scholars from around the world to examine pressing issues in artificial intelligence policy through a critical, comprehensive, and globally informed lens.
The program is designed as a fully virtual fellowship, allowing researchers from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America to collaborate without geographical barriers and contribute to new conversations on AI governance and digital ethics.
Purpose of the Virtual Fellowship Program
This fellowship focuses on developing critical approaches to artificial intelligence policy. Rather than treating AI as a purely technical field, the program emphasizes its social, political, environmental, and ethical dimensions.
Fellows are expected to consider topics such as:
- Political economy of artificial intelligence
- Environmental sustainability and AI systems
- Misinformation, digital harm, and platform accountability
- Legal and regulatory framework for AI governance
- Decolonial, Indigenous, feminist, and queer perspectives on technology
By bringing together diverse research perspectives, the program aims to generate policy-relevant insights that reflect global realities and address structural inequalities in digital systems.
Structure of the Fellowship Experience
The Virtual Fellowship is designed to be a collaborative and research-intensive experience. Selected fellows will work independently on their own research projects while also participating in group-based activities focused on policy development.
A key element of this program is the production of a joint policy report. This report synthesizes the findings of the fellowship cohort and translates academic research into practical policy recommendations for AI governance.
In addition to the report, fellows are expected to present their research at the 2026 Online Summer School, where they will engage with the broader academic and policy communities.
International cooperation and academic partnerships
The fellowship is jointly hosted by the Digital Society Research Cluster and the Center for Digital Ethics and Policy (CDEP), both based at Loyola University Chicago. Under the leadership of Professor Florence Chee, this program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers and institutions around the world.
This partnership reflects the growing recognition that the governance of artificial intelligence requires input from multiple disciplines, including social sciences, law, humanities, environmental studies, and computer science.
The fellowship fosters knowledge exchange by connecting researchers across continents and strengthens a global network focused on ethical and responsible AI development.
Who can apply for the fellowship?
This program is aimed at researchers interested in critical approaches to artificial intelligence and digital policy. Successful applicants typically demonstrate:
- Strong academic or research background related to AI, technology, or policy research
- Interest in interdisciplinary and critical approaches to digital systems
- Collaborative research and policy engagement efforts
- A global or comparative perspective on technology and society
The fellowship places particular emphasis on diverse perspectives from underrepresented regions and research traditions, and encourages the participation of scholars from the Global South and Global North.
Research themes and focus areas
This fellowship encourages applicants to pursue a wide range of important research topics. These include:
- Political and economic structures shaping AI development
- Environmental impact of large-scale digital systems
- The harmful role of misinformation and algorithms in society
- Legal and ethical challenges in regulating AI technologies
- Feminist, Indigenous, decolonial, and queer approaches to digital governance.
This thematic diversity allows fellows to explore both theoretical and applied aspects of AI policy, contributing to a more inclusive and socially responsible technological framework.
Results and expected contributions
The core outcome of this fellowship is the production of a joint policy report. This document aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical policy-making, providing evidence-based recommendations for governments, institutions, and technology developers.
Fellows will also participate in presentations during the 2026 Online Summer School to share their research findings with a broader audience of scholars, students, and policy makers.
Through these achievements, the program aims to influence the ongoing debate on the governance of artificial intelligence and ensure that ethical considerations remain at the heart of technology development.
Application schedule and deadline
Applications for the 2026 Virtual Fellowship Cohort are being accepted until February 27, 2026. Due to the competitive and international nature of the selection process, interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the deadline.
As a virtual program, this fellowship removes mobility barriers and allows researchers to participate regardless of location, making it particularly accessible to scholars who may face physical travel or funding constraints.
Significance of the program in AI research
The Critical AI Policy Virtual Fellowship represents a growing shift toward interdisciplinary, global, and inclusive approaches to artificial intelligence research. The program challenges narrow technical understandings of AI systems by integrating perspectives from ethics, law, politics, and social theory.
We will also highlight the importance of equity in digital governance, ensuring that voices from diverse regions and intellectual traditions contribute to shaping the future of AI policy.
Final summary
The 2026 Critical AI Policy Virtual Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for researchers interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence, ethics, and global policy.
Through virtual collaboration, interdisciplinary engagement, and policy-oriented research, the program deepens our understanding of the societal impacts of AI while fostering comprehensive, globally informed solutions.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization providing this opportunity. For inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not submit your application or resume to GSO as it cannot be processed by GSO. Due to the large volume of emails we receive every day, we may not be able to reply to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
