Academic Associate

Responsibilities

• Policy Strategy and Research
• Set and co-lead CMTD's policy research agenda, in alignment with institutional priorities across online harms, AI governance, platform regulation, and information integrity;
• Identify emerging policy challenges and coordinate the Centre's response;
• Produce and oversee the development of high-quality policy outputs, including policy reports, briefs, consultation submissions, and op-eds; and
• Develop integrated strategies that connect research, policy design, and public engagement.
• Team Leadership and Management
• Supervise and mentor policy staff, fellows, and contractors; set project plans, deliverables, and accountability structures across the policy stream; and
• Manage the operational dimensions of the policy stream, including budgeting, funder reporting, and impact tracking.
• Government, Stakeholder, and International Engagement
• Develop and maintain relationships with elected officials, senior civil servants, regulators, and parliamentary staff at the federal and provincial levels, and with key international counterparts;
• Represent CMTD in legislative consultations, government briefings, regulatory proceedings, and parliamentary committee appearances;
• Design and lead multi-stakeholder roundtables, expert working groups, and commissions; and
• Expand CMTD's engagement in international technology governance fora, including at the OECD, UN, and EU levels.
• Policy Communication and Representation
• Translate technical and academic research into clear, actionable recommendations for policymakers and the public
• Represent CMTD in media interviews, conferences, and public forums; and
• Develop CMTD's policy positions in collaboration with the leadershi

Benefits

Additional Information

Please refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply. If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at McGill University), do not apply through this Career Site. Login to your McGill Workday account and apply to this posting using the Find Jobs report (type Find Jobs in the search bar). Academic Associate - Policy Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy (CMTD) | Max Bell School of Public Policy | McGill University ABOUT THE CENTRE & THE OPPORTUNITY The Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy (CMTD) is an interdisciplinary research centre within the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University works at the intersection of rigorous research, technology policy, and democratic governance. What sets us apart is an end-to-end model - from large-scale data analysis to policy development to broad public engagement - that translates scholarship into democratic impact. Over five years, we have grown to a team of more than 25 and built an international reputation at the intersection of technology governance, information integrity, and participatory democracy. CMTD integrates three complementary streams: Empirical Research - The Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO) uses large-scale data analysis to study the health of the digital public sphere. MEO has monitored the last three major Canadian federal elections and coordinates the Canadian Digital Media Research Network. Policy Engagement - CMTD produces evidence-based analysis and recommendations at the intersection of digital governance, information integrity, and democratic legitimacy and translates research into policy through sustained engagement with governments and democratic institutions. Its work spans platform regulation, AI governance, climate disinformation and the future of journalism. Public Engagement - CMTD stays active in the public conversation through reports, policy memos, and strong media relations - serving as a trusted voice on digital governance, information integrity, journalism, and climate disinformation. We also work to translate these complex topics accessibly across social media, events and our newsletter. Through Paradigms, a McGill non-profit, CMTD produces podcasts, convenes citizens' assemblies, and runs deliberative processes - including the GenZ AI forum, which brought together 100 young Canadians across four cities to develop policy recommendations on AI. The Academic Associate - Policy leads the Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy's policy stream, shaping its strategic direction and driving its impact on digital governance in Canada and internationally. This role is responsible for translating cutting-edge research into actionable policy interventions, advancing evidence-based solutions to complex challenges at the intersection of media, technology, and democracy. Working closely with the Centre's Executive Director and leadership team, the Academic Associate - Policy oversees the development of high-impact policy outputs, cultivates relationships with policymakers and stakeholders in Canada and internationally, and ensures that the Centre's work meaningfully informs public debate and regulatory development.

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