Explore the Public Tech Media Lab Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
The connection between technology, media, and democracy is constantly changing. This evolving relationship brings both challenges and opportunities. Issues like artificial intelligence, digital platforms, misinformation, and how people engage with their communities are important. To understand and address these complex topics, people from different fields and backgrounds need to work together.
The Public Tech Media Lab (PTML) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a unique chance to do just that. It’s a place for scholars, journalists, technologists, and community leaders to explore and shape the future of media, technology, and democracy. PTML provides an environment for innovative research, discussions, and projects that aim to benefit the public. If you are interested in public interest technologies and their effect on journalism and democratic life, joining PTML is a great way to connect with experts and contribute to important work.
About the Public Tech Media Lab
Located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Public Tech Media Lab acts as a center for collaboration. Its main goal is to understand, create, and use technologies that support journalism, democratic participation, and the public interest. The Lab believes that no single field can fully tackle the complex issues arising from new technologies and their impact on media and democratic systems.
Therefore, PTML brings together experts from many academic and professional areas. They work together to find solutions and create new knowledge at the meeting point of technology, journalism, media, democracy, public policy, civic engagement, and public interest innovation. The Lab encourages people to collaborate, experiment, research, and get involved in practical ways, all with the aim of strengthening democratic societies through responsible technology development.
Why the Public Tech Media Lab is Important
Technology plays a big role in how people get information, participate in public discussions, and engage in democratic processes. Societies today face key issues such as the use of artificial intelligence in journalism, ensuring information is accurate, fighting misinformation and disinformation, holding digital platforms accountable, building media trust, protecting data privacy, involving the public in technology design, developing technology ethically, and innovating with civic technology.
Solving these problems requires knowledge from many different sectors and fields. The Public Tech Media Lab serves as a platform where these diverse viewpoints can come together to create impactful research and practical solutions.
Who Can Join the Public Tech Media Lab?
PTML welcomes people from many different backgrounds. This includes graduate students who want to study the connection between technology, media, and democracy. They can join research projects and connect with leading experts. Faculty members whose teaching and research match PTML’s goals are also encouraged to apply and join a growing network of people from different fields.
Academic staff involved in teaching, research, or public outreach related to media and technology can share their knowledge. Journalists who want to understand technological changes and their effects on news can work with researchers and technologists. Technology professionals interested in public interest technology and ethical design can collaborate with academics and media experts on real challenges. Community partners and organizations can help ensure that research and technology development meet public needs.
Areas of Expertise and Disciplines Represented
The Lab encourages applications from people with backgrounds in various fields. This includes media and communication areas like journalism, media studies, and digital media. Social sciences such as political science, sociology, public policy, and international affairs are also represented. Technology and innovation fields like computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, and human-computer interaction are important.
Legal and governance fields, including law, digital rights, and technology policy, are also relevant. Design and user experience professionals, such as design researchers and those in civic design, contribute valuable perspectives. The variety of disciplines at PTML is a major strength, allowing members to learn from viewpoints outside their own expertise.
Faculty and Academic Staff Associate Opportunities
The Public Tech Media Lab specifically looks for faculty members and academic staff who are committed to the Lab’s mission. Applicants may be a good fit if they teach courses related to journalism, media, technology, democracy, or public interest innovation. Researchers whose work explores the relationship between media, technology, public life, or civic engagement are also strong candidates. Those who show a commitment to advancing interdisciplinary understanding of media and technology are welcome.
Benefits of Becoming a PTML Member
Membership in the Public Tech Media Lab offers many professional and academic advantages. Members gain access to a diverse community of scholars, practitioners, journalists, and technologists. This environment promotes sharing knowledge, solving problems together, and learning across different fields. PTML members may also be eligible for funding opportunities to support their research projects and collaborative efforts.
Members can join research projects that address important issues at the intersection of technology, media, and democracy. These projects often involve academics, industry professionals, and community organizations. PTML also provides chances for members to present their ongoing research, share findings, and get feedback from peers. Direct interaction with journalists, technology experts, and policymakers can broaden the reach of research and public engagement.
The Lab hosts various events like research seminars, workshops, and public discussions to encourage dialogue and collaboration. Perhaps the most significant benefit is becoming part of a supportive community of individuals who share a dedication to advancing knowledge and public interest through innovation in media and technology.
Building the Future of Public Interest Technology
The Public Tech Media Lab aims to create a future where technology development supports democratic values and public needs. By bringing together experts from different fields and sectors, the Lab creates opportunities to develop new research ideas, explore emerging technologies responsibly, strengthen journalism, improve democratic participation, and advance public interest technology for meaningful societal impact. For those passionate about shaping the future of media, technology, and democracy, PTML offers a dynamic setting for collaboration, learning, and leadership.
The deadline to apply is August 1, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Public Tech Media Lab (PTML)?
PTML is a center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focused on understanding and developing technologies that support journalism, democratic participation, and the public interest.
Who can join the Public Tech Media Lab?
The lab welcomes graduate students, faculty, academic staff, journalists, technology professionals, and community partners interested in the intersection of technology, media, and democracy.
What are the main goals of PTML?
PTML aims to foster innovative research, discussions, and projects that address issues like AI in journalism, misinformation, digital platforms, and ethical technology development to strengthen democratic societies.
What are the benefits of becoming a PTML member?
Members gain access to a diverse community, potential funding, opportunities to join research projects, present their work, and participate in collaborative events.
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