Digital Politics
Summer School 2026

Critical Approaches to AI Policy

Organised and led by Jessica Elias, Florence Chee, Daniel Joseph, Adi Kuntsman

Are you a humanities or social science researcher, student or practitioner, interested in understanding and challenging current policies around generative AI? Please join us at our online Digital Politics Summer School 2026, Critical Approaches to AI Policy.

The School is organised by the Digital Policy Observatory: a new, visionary initiative, to address digital policy through critical, global and interdisciplinary lens. The Observatory is a partnership between CDEP (Center for Digital Ethics & Policy), Loyola University, Chicago and DISC (Digital Society Research Group), Manchester Metropolitan University.

The School takes place entirely online, on 9-12 June 2026. Attendance is free but registration is required.

Programme

All times are in UK time zone, please check your time zone conversion here.

Day 1: Tuesday 9 June

2-3 pm Welcome notes: Jessica Elias, Florence Chee, Daniel Joseph, Adi Kuntsman
Keynote: “Policy at Play: Designing Critical AI Systems in Times of Polycrisis”, Florence Chee
3-4pm Discussion panel with André Brock, Florence Chee and Todd Harple, chaired by Kyla Williams Tate

Day 2: Wednesday 10 June

1-2pm Critical approach to AI policy: Accountability. Presentations by Critical AI Policy Virtual Fellows
3-4pm Critical approach to AI policy: Dignity. Presentations by Critical AI Policy Virtual Fellows

Day 3: Thursday 11 June

2-3pm Critical approach to AI policy: Sustainability, Equity, Trust. Presentations by Critical AI Policy Virtual Fellows
6pm A roundtable on Critical AI Literacies @Manchester Festival of Libraries. Taking place in hybrid format, in Chorlton, Manchester and online. Led by Jessica Elias, Adi Kuntsman and DISC AI Literacies Lab.

Day 4: Friday 12 June

1-2pm Engaging Policymakers in/through Creative Practice. Workshop led by Jessica Elias
2.30-3.30pm Concluding Event and launch of CDEP+DISC Virtual Policy Observatory