Dear Colleagues, This is a kind reminder that the application deadline for SWING School on Internet Governance is *27 February*. We would be grateful if you could share this reminder through your channels, and we encourage interested candidates to submit their applications by the deadline. Thank you for your support. Kind regards. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: *SWING School on Internet Governance* 📅 *Application Deadline: 27 February 2026* *About SWING School on Internet Governance 2026:* Join us in Bruges, Belgium (20-24 April 2026), at the United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS), for an intensive week exploring *Digital Sovereignty, *one of the most pressing issues at the intersection of Internet governance, geopolitics, innovation, and fundamental rights. *Who should apply:* Graduate students, early-career researchers, ICT professionals, policymakers, and anyone interested in Internet governance. *What you'll gain:* - Expert-led lectures from internationally renowned scholars; - Interactive lectures on topics including AI, cybersecurity, undersea cables, semiconductors, low earth orbit satellites, and fundamental rights; - Seminars on topics including Digital Sovereignty, EuroStack, the Geopolitics of Digital Sovereignty; - Hands-on group work developing policy recommendations; - Networking with peers and multistakeholder discussions. *Key Dates* 27 February 2026 — Application deadline, including fee payment 20–24 April 2026 — SWING 2026 (Bruges, UNU-CRIS) *Core Seminars and Lectures* - Introduction to Digital Sovereignty (seminar) with *Jamal Shahin* - VUB, UVA, UNU-CRIS; *Julia Pohle* - WZB, BSoG, CNRS France; *Sophie Hoogenboom* - UNU-CRIS, VUB; *Chris Mondini *- ICANN. - From Governance to Sovereignty (seminar) with *Jamal Shahin* - VUB, UVA, UNU-CRIS; *Mauro Santaniello *- University of Salerno, UNU-CRIS; *Julia Pohle* - WZB, BSoG, CNRS France. - EuroStack: European Digital Sovereignty (seminar) with *Paul Timmers* - KU Leuven, European University Cyprus; *Niels ten Oever* - University of Amsterdam; more TBA - Digital Sovereignty and Competitiveness with *Orsolya Gulyas* - Brussels School of Governance - The Impact of Digital Sovereignty on the Internet with *Azadeh Akbari *- Center for critical computational studies, Goethe University Frankfurt. - Digital Sovereignty and Fundamental Rights with *Marianne Franklin* - University of Groningen. - Indigenous Data Sovereignty with *Claudia Padovani* - University of Padova. - Digital Sovereignty and Undersea Cables with *Kavé Salamatian* - Polytech Annecy-Chambéry. - Digital Sovereignty and Semiconductors with *Linda Monsees* - Institute of International Relations Prague. - Digital Sovereignty and Artificial Intelligence with *Nicola Palladino* - University of Salerno. - Digital Sovereignty and LEOs (Low Earth Orbit satellites) with *Berna Akçalı Gür* - Queen Mary University of London, UNU-CRIS. - Internet Governance: Conflicts and Cooperation with *Jan Aart Scholte *- Leiden University. - The Geopolitics of Digital Sovereignty (seminar) with *Kseniia Ermoshina* - CNRS, France; *Grace X. Yang* - Freie Universität Berlin; more TBA. *Registration* To register, applicants will be asked to submit: - Curriculum Vitae (CV) - Completed application form (template <https://cris.unu.edu/sites/cris.unu.edu/files/SWING_2026_Registration_Form%20%281%29.docx> ) - Copy of a valid ID document (passport or national identity card) - Proof of payment of the participation fee (receipt/confirmation) *Participation Fee and What It Covers* The participation fee is 800,00 € and includes: - Registration costs - Meals provided during the School programme - Social event(s) The participation fee does not include: - Accommodation Although students are required to provide for their own accommodation, SWING has an agreement with a local hotel that is willing to provide a reduced fare for the students of the school. Details will be provided after a successful registration. - Dinners *Scientific Committee* *Co-directors: *Mauro Santaniello (University of Salerno, UNU-CRIS) and Jamal Shahin (VUB, UVA, UNU-CRIS). *Scientific Advisory Board: *Andrea Beccalli (ICANN), Dennis Broeders (Leiden University), Edoardo Celeste (Dublin City University), Philippe De Lombaerde (UNU-CRIS), Sophie Hoogenboom (UNU-CRIS, VUB), Robin Mansell (London School of Economics), Francesca Musiani (CNRS), Nicola Palladino (University of Salerno), Dennis Redeker (University of Bremen) and Riccardo Nanni (CNRS). *Organizing Committee: *Sophie Hoogenboom (UNU-CRIS, VUB), Carlos Andres Fonseca Diaz (Ghent University, UNU-CRIS), Armando Antonio Ferrara (University of Salerno), Chiara Spiniello (University of Salerno) and Stephanie Teeuwen (VUB). *More information on the programme, faculty and registration*: https://cris.unu.edu/swing-school-on-internet-governance *For further information about the School and registration, please contact Sophie Hoogenboom at* shoogenboom@cris.unu.edu. Prof. Mauro Santaniello (PhD) Associate Professor in Political Science ICPC <https://www.internetpolicyresearch.eu/> Director| GIG-ARTS <https://gig-arts.eu/> Coordinator| Giganet <https://www.giga-net.org/> Secretary SWING School on Internet Governance <https://cris.unu.edu/swing-school-on-internet-governance> Co-Director UNU-CRIS <https://cris.unu.edu/people> Associate Research Fellow PRIN on Digital Sovereignty <https://www.internetpolicyresearch.eu/internet-and-communication-policy-center-research-areas/digital-sovereignty-in-comparative-perspective-state-authority-corporate-power-and-fundamental-rights-in-cyberspace> Principal Investigator Latest publications <https://docenti.unisa.it/023694/ricerca/pubblicazioni>