Preliminary Program  -  May 7, 2026  “International Day of Communication”, Department of Media, Society and Communication, University of Innsbruck
Venue: Kaiser-Leopold-Saal, Karl-Rahner-Platz 3, 6020 Innsbruck     

OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC!

This event addresses the topic of “European sovereignty” in general and “platforms and communication” in particular. It is also part of a the "Europa-Mai am Inn". It is a  “Day of Diversity,” as it explores local, European, and international perspectives related to media and digital communication policy as well as society.

Organization:  Department of Media, Society and Communication - Dr. Natascha Zeitel-Bank, in collaboration with master’s students.

12:00 Meet & Greet

12.30–14.00  Panel on "Platforms and Communication – Critical media use caught between theory and practice?!  With the participation of:

Marie-Luisa Frick, Professor of Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy, University of Innsbruck, with research interests including philosophy of law and political philosophy—particularly democracy and human rights—as well as ethics (critical engagement with media/media literacy, personal and political responsibility).

Kathrin Figl, Professor of Information Systems, University of Innsbruck, conducts research on the human-centered design of digital systems, with a focus on digital nudging and online manipulation, as well as fake news, deepfakes, and the cognitive effects of smartphones (e.g., using eye-tracking methods).

Susanne Reitmaier-Juárez, MA, PhD, postdoctoral researcher - political education, Department of Political Science, University of Innsbruck, conducting empirical research on school practices, political information, and media use, opinion formation and participation among young people.

14.15–15.15 Human-Robotics Relations: What Does the Future Hold?

Justus Piater, Professor at the Department of Computer Science and director of the Digital Science Center, University of Innsbruck, with research focus on making robots learn to perceive and act with understanding, robot learning (concept learning, sensorimotor learning), robot perception, robot grasping and manipulation with introductory remarks / presentation followed by a discussion round, including the public.

15.15–16.00 Coffee break

16.15-17.15 SOS Children's Villages – Brand Positioning & Crisis Communication Challenges

Presentation by Christian Lamp, Head of Digital Fundraising at SOS Children's Villages, followed by a  discussion round, including the public.

17.15—18.15 ORF Landesstudio Tirol – “Boundless Cooperation with Neighbors? – The Path to a European Public Sphere”. 

- Georg Laich, Editor-in-Chief of ORF Landesstudio Tirol, in conversation with Dr. Natascha       Zeitel-Bank, Department of Media, Society, and Communication.

18.15-18.30 Conclusion of the 2. International Day of Communication

This event is also part of the "Europa-Mai am Inn" in cooperation with the European Academy Inntal and the Representation of the European Commission in Munich / Vienna and more partners…