Jobs
We are committed to training and collaborating with great people in a variety of fields and disciplines. We are always looking to support and engage with creative, thoughtful scholarship at the intersection of media, technology, and democracy.
2025-2026 Youth Fellows Program (3 Positions)
Deadline to Apply: August 6, 2025 (*note: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis)
Start Date: Week of September 1, 2025
Fellowship Honorarium: $20,000 CAD (+ covered travel/accommodation for required events)
About the Fellowship
The Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy at McGill University is accepting applications for Youth Fellows to join our 2025-2026 Youth Fellows Program on Online Safety. These fellowships empower young leaders to host regional Youth Forums across Canada to raise awareness about AI and online safety, and contribute to national dialogue on digital policy.
We are recruiting three (3) Fellows, aged 18 to 25. Fellows will lead and facilitate youth engagement events across Canada in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax, and collaborate with a team of peers and experts to co-author two reports on youth and digital technologies.
Key Responsibilities for each Fellow:
Co-develop curriculum materials and co-host one (1) Youth Forum on one of the following topics: AI and Privacy, AI and Information Integrity, or AI and Age Assurance
Co-author one (1) Youth Forum report and one (1) national summary report on Public Trust in AI amongst Youth
Collaborate with other Fellows to plan and co-organize a breakout panel at the 2025 Attention Forum on Digital Governance (Oct 23–24, 2025 in Montreal, QC)
Attend and contribute to all four Youth Forums across Canada, held between October 2025 and March 2026
Present findings of the national summary report at a launch event in Ottawa in April 2026
Fellowship Benefits
$20,000 CAD honorarium, paid in project-based installments upon completion of deliverables
All travel and accommodations for required events
Leadership and media training, including: weekly mentorship sessions, strategic policy coaching, and media and public speaking opportunities
Collaboration with international partners, including the Young Peoples Alliance, NoSo, Children and Screens, 5Rights, and Fairplay
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are looking for passionate, engaged, and responsible young leaders who:
Are aged 18-25, an undergraduate student at a Canadian university, and based in Canada (international students are ineligible for this role)
Have experience in community organizing, public engagement, or advocacy
Care deeply about youth wellbeing, digital rights, and online safety
Are strong communicators (written and verbal – bilingualism is a bonus!) and enjoy working in teams
Are highly self-directed, with strong organizational and project management skills
Are available to travel for the following events:
Toronto, ON: September 27-28 or October 3-4, 2025
Montreal, QC: October 22-24, 2025
Montreal, QC: January 30-31, 2026
Vancouver, BC: February 27-28, 2026
Halifax, NS: March 27-28, 2026
Ottawa, ON: April 2026 (exact date, TBC)
How To Apply
To apply, please submit the following materials to Helen Hayes at helen.hayes@mcgill.ca by Wednesday, August 6, 2025 (note: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis):
A short cover letter (max 1 page) explaining:
Why you are interested in this Fellowship
What unique skills you bring to the role
What Forum topic (AI and Privacy, AI and Information Integrity, or AI and Age Assurance) you may be interested in leading on
Your resume
Optional: a short, max. 30-second video introducing yourself and sharing your passion for this role!