Why become a member of ORBICOM?
Joining ORBICOM, the UNITWIN Network of UNESCO Chairs in Communication, means joining an international community committed to promoting dialogue, research and innovation in communication and sustainable development.
As a member, you will benefit from:
- Privileged access to the network’s scientific activities, seminars and conferences;
- The possibility of collaborating on international projects led by UNESCO Chairs;
- Increased visibility on our platforms (website, publications, newsletters, etc.);
- Networking opportunities among researchers, practitioners, and institutions;
- Preferential rates for certain events and calls for projects.
Our thematic areas and fields of expertise
Digital policies, digital transformations, and artificial intelligence
• Digital transformation and datafication
• Critical analysis of digital platforms
• Artificial Intelligence “AI” (AI ethics, AI’s impact on freedom of expression and the circulation of information)
Documentary heritage
• Digital public spaces
• Cultural products and discoverability (access to means of expression, dissemination, and reception of cultural content)
Media and information literacy and digital skills
• Information ethics
• Issues of digital virality (fake news, alternative facts, etc.)
• Promoting the emergence of an enabling environment for sustainable media
• Communicational issues of the ecological crisis (climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, etc.)
• Communication and environmental governance
• Environmental diplomacy
Freedom of expression and journalists safety
• Safety of journalists (with a focus on women journalists)
• Communication and “mediation” in support of democratic and participatory citizenship
• Citizen appropriation of communication (empowerment)
Media development and media in emergency situations
• Risk communication
• Communication and health crises
• Communication and resilience
You are:
Regular member?
Chairholders
Co-Chairholders
Chair Directors
Associate Regular Member?
Researchers working in the fields of communication, information or digital technologies, whose profile, work or fields of expertise are aligned with ORBICOM’s themes.
Professors working in the fields of communication, information or digital technologies, whose profile, work or fields of expertise align with ORBICOM’s themes.
Professionals working in the fields of communication, information or digital technologies, whose profile, work or fields of expertise align with ORBICOM’s themes.
Student member?
Student community
Postdoctoral fellows
Fee structure
Regular Member
$145 CAD/year
- Anyone in the research and higher education community (researchers, university professors, college professors, administrators/executives, professionals, employees of grant funds and research centres, etc.
- Anyone from the media, communication, artificial intelligence, information and communication technology (ICT) or related fields.
- Anyone working in the fields of communication, information or digital technologies, whose profile, work or fields of expertise are aligned with ORBICOM’s themes.
- All citizens not affected by the reduced rates
Student Member
$65 CAD/year
- Student community
- Postdoctoral fellows
Membership fees and benefits
| Regular Members | Student Members | |
| Access to the annual conference at a preferential rate reserved for members, with the possibility, in certain exceptional cases and depending on the organizer, to benefit from free admission. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free access to the proceedings of the annual conference, if available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Participation and voting rights at the Annual General Meeting of Members | ✓ | ❌ |
| Free access to the bi-monthly Orbi-Info newsletter | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to the list of members’ specialties and expertise | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dissemination of activities and research within the network | ✓ | ❌ |
| Support and organization of UNESCO’s activities and initiatives in the field of communications | ✓ | ✓ |
| Participation as a speaker in webinars | ✓ | ❌ |
| Contribution to collaborative research projects | ✓ | ❌ |
| Opportunities for academic mobility and hosting researchers at ORBICOM facilities | ✓ | ❌ |
| 145 $ CAD/year | 65 $ CAD/year |
Take action and join the network
Admission process for UNESCO Chairs
UNESCO accepts applications for the creation of new UNESCO Chairs or UNITWIN networks until April 30, 2025
Applications must be submitted in English or French via the dedicated platform and validated by the concerned National Commission for UNESCO. For more details, please consult the following link: Click here
Admission process for regular members (Chairholders, Co-Chairholders and Chairs directors)
For Associate Regular Members, the following documents must be sent to the ORBICOM General Secretariat:
- A Letter with a brief description and presentation
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)
- A copy of the confirmation letter from UNESCO or the University
Admission Process for Associate Regular Members and Students
For student Members the following documents must be sent to the ORBICOM General Secretariat:
- A Letter with a brief description and presentation
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)
**Important: Please note that membership fees are payable only after acceptance of your membership application.**
Do you have any questions ?
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to write to the ORBICOM General Secretariat at : orbicom.unesco@uqam.ca
