Envisioning a New Public Media System
Join us May 8th for Future Lab, where we will imagine the future of public media.
This first-of-its-kind event brings together industry experts, media professionals, students, and community leaders to rethink the future of publicly supported media in an era of technological disruption and institutional challenges.
We’ll look 15 years ahead to speculate and design new models, policies, and technologies that can sustain public media as essential civic infrastructure for generations to come.
Come be part of the reinvention!
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Kane Hall (KNE). Campus room: Walker-Ames. Accessibility Contact: laurer7@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Information Sessions. Lectures/Seminars. Special Events. Target Audience: Communications students, journalism students, public policy students, faculty.
Friday, May 8, 2026, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
For more info visit commlead.uw.edu. Why Everything Feels Political Now: How Media Turn Health and Science Into Public Battlegrounds
Join CJMD fellow Jisoo Kim for a discussion about her recent research on how media turn health and science into political debates, shaping public views, deepening divisions, and affecting trust and communication.
Many Americans now struggle to discuss or engage with anything deemed “political.” As negative views of politics grow, debates over health and scientific issues often become politicized, leading to a host of negative consequences. Tensions rise, conversations shift from shared concerns to partisan disagreements, trust in experts can erode, and people may feel more anxious and unsure about what to believe.
In this talk, Kim introduces a clear framework for understanding what “politicization” actually means and shares research on how media shape public views, deepen political divisions, and influence how people communicate with one another. The discussion draws on cases such as the politicization of COVID‑19 vaccines and climate change.
The goal of the talk is to offer a clearer and more nuanced pic…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Communications Building (CMU). Campus room: TBD. Accessibility Contact: laurer7@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Information Sessions. Lectures/Seminars. Special Events.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Inside Seattle’s Approach to AI
Join us for a timely conversation with Lisa Qian, the City of Seattle’s first AI Officer, and CJMD fellow Austin Jenkins.
Lisa Qian will discuss how Seattle is approaching the responsible and innovative use of artificial intelligence across city operations and public services. Drawing on her work since stepping into this role, she’ll share insights on governance, implementation, and the challenges of bringing AI into the public sector.
The conversation will include time for audience Q&A, offering a chance to engage directly on the opportunities and risks of AI in city government.
Open to anyone interested in AI, public policy, and the future of civic technology.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Communications Building (CMU). Accessibility Contact: laurer7@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Information Sessions. Lectures/Seminars. Special Events. Target Audience: Communications students, journalism students, public policy students, faculty.
Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com.