Digital Democracy Centre x TrygFonden Fellowship Programme

About the Fellowship Programme

For this recruitment, we are looking for the next group of fellows for our dynamic and ambitious fellowship programme beginning in 2026. The fellowship programme will be tasked with developing synergies between researchers, journalists, and policymakers in investigating the effects of digital technology and AI on media, politics, and democracy. By the fellowship program, chosen fellows will be able to create new knowledge, input in the public discourse, build new networks, work with a mentor from DDC, the broader DDC context, and its partners, and deliver concrete outreach products such as policy briefs, educational packages, and lectures.

The Digital Democracy Centre x TrygFonden Fellowship Program is open to a variety of fellows, such as academic fellows working on digital technology and democracy, journalist fellows reporting on issues related to digital democracy, and policy fellows working on regulatory discussions and real-world application in the arena of digital democracy.

About the Digital Democracy Centre (DDC)

Our world has come to the point at which digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are spreading. Digital technologies and AI can enhance or substitute human decision-making in the service of the public good, but they can also disrupt and endanger it. The effect of data, digitalization, and AI on media and politics reaches the very heart of democracy. Problems like new AI tech, microtargeting, automated robot journalism, misinformation, authenticity in photos and text, trust in information, and algorithmic decision-making in institutions both public and private pose critical questions which are usually not resolvable through a one-sided point of view.

The DDC was established at the University of Southern Denmark in 2021 to meet this challenge. The DDC plans to develop innovative socio-technical, inter-disciplinary methods to research the influence of digital technology and AI on politics, media, and democracy. The key research themes are Digital Democratic Integrity, Digital Democracy and Societal Transition, AI, Media and Journalism, and Citizens, Organisations, and new Technologies. The DDC consists of 40 researchers who are top scholars in fields including AI, algorithms, computer science, communication, journalism, economics, political science, media studies and law. During the initial years, the DDC initiated a series of interdisciplinary research projects with SDU, foundation, and external media partner funding and received national and international funding for additional projects. Ph.D. scholars and postdoctoral researchers with an interdisciplinary outlook work across disciplines and proactively engage DDC's key subject areas through social media, etc. The DDC is headed by Professor Claes de Vreese, a Danish researcher and one of the world's foremost experts in media, technology, democracy, and political communication, Lena Frischlich, a well-known media psychologist and communication researcher investigating threats to democracy and efforts to develop democratic resistance in digital worlds, and Curd Knüpfer, a political scientist who researches the ways in which digitalization conditions communication patterns between emerging types of media, publics, and political elites.

They collaborate in close partnership with an interdisciplinary Steering Committee composed of Ayo Næsborg-Andersen, a specialist in law at the intersection between new technologies and human rights, Fabrizio Montesi, Professor of Computer Science at IMADA and chair DIAS, who leads the section of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Programming Languages, Lene Heiselberg, Associate Professor at Centre for Journalism, SDU researching audience-driven journalism, and Oliver Baumann, a Professor with special responsibilities at Department of Business & Management and Head of Section Strategic Organization Design (SOD). Purpose of the Fellowship Program

The aim of the Fellowship Program is to apply and draw on the expertise of DDC in a different manner.

The intention is to create new knowledge and facilitate interaction between TrygFonden, DDC, new and current partners of DDC, and selected fellows. We expect the Fellowship program to result in new findings and concrete products, e.g., new contacts, new partnerships, educational packages, input to the public debate in Denmark and globally, policy briefs, lectures, and other outreach. Successful fellows may be eligible for a range of advantages. In addition to their connection to their self-chosen DDC mentor, these advantages can include funding, access to research facilities through DDC, flexible working areas, speaker series, and networks, and the opportunity to present their work and become part of the extended DDC alumni community. The exact advantages and assistance given can vary according to the arrangements between the individual fellow, DDC, and any collaborating organizations.

Types of fellows

The Digital Democracy Centre x TrygFonden fellowship programme is open to a multifaceted group of fellows. The fellowship programme's target group consists of researchers, journalism graduates, and policymakers who might currently work in national and international research and educational facilities as well as in media outlets, ministries, NGOs, etc.

Therefore, the Digital Democracy Centre x TrygFonden fellowship provides three categories of fellowships:

1) academic fellows (who study digital technologies and democracy)

2) journalist fellows (who report on digital technology and democracy)

3) policy fellows (who make contributions to the regulation debate on digital technology and democracy)

Expectations

Prior to applying for their fellowship, prospective fellows must also obtain confirmation of mentorship directly from the intended mentor. Additional information regarding THE PEOPLE who work at DDC is accessible through OUR WEBSITE. It is the applicant's obligation to contact a potential mentor and gain their consent. Candidates must also arrange and gain support by their existing supervisors/ heads of departments/managers, etc., prior to making their application.

Throughout the duration of the fellowship, fellows are required to work actively in DDC-related activities, interact with other fellows or scholars working at DDC, attend seminars or workshops, and make contributions to the general goals of the fellowship program and DDC.

This may involve stays for different durations at the DDC. Stays should usually be arranged to work according to the Danish working calendar and need to be agreed upon with the corresponding mentor. Fellows are also asked to report their findings, e.g., take part in public outreach events.

At most two months after their fellowship, fellows are required to submit a brief report on their fellowship experience. Fellows will also be included automatically in the broader DDC alumni network.

Practical Information regarding the Fellowship Program

The Digital Democracy Centre x TrygFonden fellowship program is an interactive program, and there is no single universal method.

The fellowship duration is variable (2-12 months), as is the content and backgrounds of candidates. We are looking for fellows who are interested in a fellowship to start in 2026 for this call. Fellowship funding is provided in the form of either a salary subsidy or a stipend to cover travel and/or accommodation costs. Candidates must outline the posts they are applying for support for in their application. The structure of every fellowship will consist of a principal mentor/host from the DDC and appropriate external partners to DDC that actively participate in cooperation with the fellow and the intimate dialogue with the management team of the DDC. The detailed team is formed in cooperation with TrygFonden. Application and Deadlines

Applicants looking to pursue a fellowship in 2026 must submit an application accompanied by a CV and an individual project plan that must be accompanied by a proposal for a particular project to be executed in partnership with a practice partner.

This may, for instance, be a tangible invention that is connected to an active research project either at DDC or at other research institutes, it may involve pragmatic cooperation with NGOs and/or consumer organizations, media outlets, or with public institutions like schools, ministries, etc. It may also involve generating political advice or shaping practical initiatives in public administration. The application should be made in the English language. Application should include the following:

Preliminary title of the project

Brief project description and reason (max 1000 characters)

Detailed description and timeline (max 2400 characters)

including the agreed-upon mentor

including duration of fellowship expectations (at least two months can include shorter periods of stay at the DDC and remote periods) and start date  within the Danish working hours.

work plan (division between remote work / in-office work in Odense, Denmark, etc.)

Description of the particular activities and work with practice partners external to the organization (max 1000 characters)

Anticipated 'product', impact, and output (max 500 characters)

Attached CV (max 5 pages)

Overview of the positions for which financial assistance is requested (e.g., flights, accommodation, research expenses, salary compensation, stipend, etc.)

Application deadline: 15th September 2025

The interdisciplinary committee will make the choice regarding the acceptance or rejection of an application. The candidates will be notified on or before October 15th, 2025.