Zoom registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vSdv7SwvSNuS6C4y5NYmcA
Lecture Description: How can universities prepare students not simply to study democracy, but to participate in its renewal?
Across six universities on four continents, faculty and students are using the Democracy Discourse Index (DDI) to examine public discourse for empathy, civility, trust, and democratic agency. Developed by the Global Centre for Rehumanising Democracy, Sensika Technologies and a consortium of founding universities, the DDI combines locally informed human analysis with AI-enabled analysis at scale, transforming classrooms into a distributed observatory of democratic life.
This virtual panel brings together faculty and student researchers from Pakistan, Albania, Greece and the United States to explore how the DDI is being incorporated into coursework and co-curricular programmes. Panellists will discuss what students learn by treating their own public spheres (including user comments on local news media platforms) as data; how cultural and linguistic knowledge can guide the responsible use of AI; and what early findings reveal about democratic stress and resilience across different societies.
Of particular interest to educators, researchers, institutional leaders and students, the session offers a practical model for integrating civic engagement, global learning, digital literacy and responsible AI into liberal arts education. It will also introduce opportunities for universities to join the growing DDI research and teaching consortium.
GCRD Participants:
Dr. Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob is the Founding Executive Director of the Global Centre for Rehumanising Democracy (GCRD). His recent research on AI-Enhanced Reflexive Control, including analysis of Russia’s Pravda network in Bulgaria (co-authored with Georgi Angelov), reveals how artificial intelligence transforms Soviet-era psychological warfare into systematic manipulation of vulnerable democracies. His work spans peace journalism in conflict zones, communication for social change with UNICEF and the UN, and globally connected pedagogy linking students across continents. A scholar and a Benedictine Spiritual Director, Dr. Jacob brings both technical expertise and personal urgency to questions of democracy’s survival and education’s role in defending democracy.
Croshelle Harris is the webinar moderator. Ms. Harris is a retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer currently serving as GCRD’s Director of Strategic Projects and Partnerships.
Panelists:
Dr. Juliana Çyfeku, Fan S. Noli University of Korce (UNIKO), Albania. Dr. Çyfeku is an Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, Corpus Linguistics, English Language Teaching (ELT), and Communication Studies at the Faculty of Education and Philology. An academician in communication studies and applied linguistics, with expertise in corpus linguistics, EFL/ESL, and English for academic and professional contexts. Her research examines communication, intercultural competence, and discourse as tools for advancing inclusive democratic engagement. She also serves as Member of the Inner Quality Assurance Unit, Project Expert Evaluator, and Foreign Project Coordinator. She holds a PhD in ELT Methodology (2015) from South East European University, North Macedonia, and a Master of Arts in ELT (2011).
Dr. Wajiha Raza Rizvi, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan. Prof. Rizvi brings together expertise in media studies, cultural policy, and democratic communication. Her interdisciplinary work spans the intersection of digital discourse, institutional trust, and civic engagement in Pakistan's evolving public sphere.
Prof. Verse Shom, Professor of Practice, & Program Director, Social Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship, Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment, Tulane University, United States. Mr. Shom is a social impact professional with over 13 years of multidisciplinary experience across economic policy, higher education, consulting, and international development sectors. His primary interests revolve around education, inequality, community resilience, livelihoods, economic growth, and sustainable cities. He is curious about interdisciplinary collaboration to reimagine urban systems and innovation in the built environment for inclusive growth. He is also Director and Partner at Sabi Training and Consulting, and has previously held positions in monetary policy, teaching, and program management at the Central Bank of Nigeria, American University of Nigeria, and Fundación Paraguaya.
Dr. Panagiotis Paschalidis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Dr. Paschalidis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications in Greece's largest university and one of the leading research institutions in Southeast Europe. His research sits at the intersection of media studies, political communication, and digital discourse. His work examines how digital platforms shape public debate, political identity, and civic participation in contemporary democracies. As DDI Faculty Lead for Greece, Dr. Paschalidis oversees the coding and analysis of Greek political discourse on Platform X, bringing disciplinary expertise in media effects, framing, and the dynamics of online public spheres.
Subulna Imran is an English Linguistics graduate from NED University of Engineering & Technology. She contributed to the DDI Pilot Edition in Spring of 2026, scoring six batches of tweets and writing three briefs. Her interest in language, culture and identity tremendously helped her in the coding process, analyzing empathy, civility, trust and democratic agency. Her interests lie in democratic discourse, policy, and agency. Further, she wishes to pursue a career in education, curriculum development, and research. She has worked on educational projects centered on children's language acquisition and emotional literacy, combining linguistic principles with creative learning approaches. She is passionate about using research and communication to create meaningful educational impact.
Redina Skënderi is a first-year Political Science student at "Fan S. Noli " University in Korçë, Albania. After completing her first year with outstanding academic results, she has developed a strong interest in democratic governance, political institutions, public discourse, and international relations. As a participant in the DDI Pilot Project, she contributed to the analysis of online democratic discourse, strengthening her research, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Passionate about youth engagement, democratic values, and lifelong learning, Redina is committed to promoting informed and inclusive public dialogue.