ITZIAR PEDROCHE

Research Stays

Research Activity – Research Stay

Host Institution: University of Toronto (Canada)
Host Unit: Media Ethics Lab, Faculty of Arts & Science
Duration: Approximately 12 weeks (August 1st – October 31st)

The purpose of this research stay is to advance the doctoral thesis PinchaLaBurbuja: Analysis of Echo Chambers in Social Media and Development of an Educommunicative Tool Based on Generative Artificial Intelligence for Promoting Critical Thinking, through collaboration with the Media Ethics Lab at the University of Toronto, under the supervision of Prof. Paolo Granata, Director of the Lab.

The stay is motivated by the strong thematic and methodological alignment between the doctoral research and the host institution’s research agenda, particularly in relation to media ethics, digital literacy, algorithmic influence, misinformation, and the societal implications of emerging AI technologies. During the stay, the research will be integrated into the project New Digital Literacies: AI-powered Immersive Learning Spaces, currently developed at the Media Ethics Lab.

The objectives of the research stay include:

  • Deepening the theoretical framework of the doctoral research from an international and interdisciplinary perspective on media ethics and critical digital literacies.
  • Refining the methodological design and prototype of the #PinchaLaBurbuja platform, with particular attention to bias detection, discourse analysis, and the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence.
  • Conducting advanced analysis of discourse patterns, echo chambers, and misinformation dynamics, supported by access to specialized library resources and academic databases.
  • Engaging in academic exchange and networking with faculty members, visiting scholars, and graduate researchers working at the intersection of media studies, education, ethics, and AI.
  • Participating in seminars, workshops, and research discussions aimed at strengthening the critical analysis of digital media environments.

This international research stay contributes significantly to the internationalization and scientific quality of the doctoral research, providing comparative perspectives and advanced conceptual tools that enhance its academic rigor and relevance. The collaboration reinforces the integration of research, innovation, and critical media education, in line with ANECA quality criteria for doctoral-level research activity.