On April 8, 2026, the Public Tech Media Lab hosted its first pre-conference, Journalism, Platforms, and Public Interest Technologies: Applying PIT to Rebuild Trust, Infrastructure, and Civic Purpose in Journalism, at the University of Groningen ahead of the ECREA Journalism Studies Section Conference 2026.

The event brought together an international community of researchers, practitioners, and early-career scholars to explore how the emerging field of Public Interest Technology (PIT) can help address the technological, organizational, and democratic challenges facing journalism today. Discussions examined topics including platform governance, artificial intelligence, investigative and data journalism, newsroom innovation, participatory media design, and alternative public-interest infrastructures.

Organized by Tomás Dodds (University of Wisconsin–Madison), Nadja Schaetz (University of Hamburg), Agustin Ferrari Braun (University of Amsterdam), Seth Lewis (University of Oregon), Bronwyn Jones (University of Edinburgh), Colin Porlezza (Università della Svizzera italiana), and James Meese (RMIT University), the pre-conference emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration and created opportunities for both established and emerging scholars to share research and exchange ideas.

As the inaugural pre-conference organized by the Public Tech Media Lab, the event marked an important milestone in the Lab’s mission to advance research at the intersection of journalism, technology, and the public interest. The organizers thank all participants for contributing to a thoughtful and engaging discussion and look forward to building on these conversations in future events.