Welcoming Anna Jahn as Executive Director of the Newly Merged Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy
OCT. 1, 2025 - We are thrilled to announce that Anna Jahn will be joining McGill as Executive Director of the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy. Anna will also serve as Associate Professor of Research at McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy.
Anna will be leading a newly merged Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, which will bring together the work of the Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO) and the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy under one banner. Building on the strengths of both teams, the Centre will continue to spearhead the research and policy leadership that have made both entities so widely recognized.
Anna brings a wealth of experience at the intersection of technology, governance, and public policy. As Senior Director of Public Policy and Inclusion at Mila, the world’s largest AI deep learning research institute, she played a leading role in shaping global discussions on AI governance, drafting recommendations to the UN’s Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. At Mila, she also architected the AI Policy Fellowship and the AI Insights for Policymakers program, creating a novel program that bridges the policy science interface, and co-founded the Indigenous Pathfinders in AI program, advancing the inclusion of indigenous talent in AI.
Before joining Mila in 2022, Anna served as Executive Director of the Action Canada Fellowship Program at the Public Policy Forum, where she designed and led leadership development programs for emerging policymakers. Across these roles, Anna has consistently bridged the gap between cutting-edge research and actionable policy, translating complex ideas into practical tools for governments and international organizations.
"I'm thrilled to join the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy and the Media Ecosystem Observatory at such a critical moment. What draws me here isn't just the urgent questions we're tackling - how AI shapes democratic processes, how platforms influence public discourse - but the Centre's unique approach to answering them. Through innovative empirical research on media ecosystems, high-impact policy work, and dynamic external engagement platforms, the Centre bridges the gap between rigorous research and policy impact. I'm excited to contribute to this mission alongside McGill's incredible community of scholars and students."
Anna Jahn, Executive Director, Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy & Media Ecosystem Observatory
“Anna brings extraordinary experience not only in AI and digital governance, but also in building high impact programs, growing policy organizations, overseeing collaborative research projects, shaping meaningful public engagement, and working directly with policymakers. She is the perfect person to guide the next chapter of our work, to lead a merger of the Media Ecosystem Observatory and Centre for Media Technology and Democracy, and to scale our work to ensure that digital technologies strengthen—rather than undermine—democratic life.”
Taylor Owen, Founding Director of the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, and Principal Investigator of the Media Ecosystem Observatory
“I could not be more pleased to welcome Anna and her leadership to McGill University. Her experience at the intersection of policy, research, and AI will be a tremendous asset as we expand our work to understand and strengthen democracy in the digital era.”
Aengus Bridgman, Director of the Media Ecosystem Observatory
As we enter this next phase, Anna will lead the integration of the Centre and the Observatory, and develop our research, policy and public engagement streams. The Media Ecosystem Observatory will remain a cornerstone of this work, continuing to drive world-class empirical research that informs policy and advances democratic governance.
Together, we are building a more cohesive and ambitious organization, equipped to meet the evolving challenges of digital governance and contribute to global conversations shaping the future of democracy.
Media Contact:
Isabelle Corriveau
Director, Public Engagement and Strategy
isabelle.corriveau2@mcgill.ca
