From Dortmund to Toronto: Towards Advancement in Inclusive Digital Technologies for Society

Toan recently traveled to Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) for the Bridging Divides Future Leaders Fellowship (Feb 2–8), hosted by the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration. The fellowship brought together eight researchers from six countries and eight faculty members, creating a vibrant interdisciplinary environment for exchanging perspectives and collaborating on topics related to digital transformation and social computing that support migration and integration.

During the fellowship, Toan was mentored by Prof. Josephine Pui-Hing Wong, whose guidance offered valuable perspectives on interdisciplinary and community-engaged research addressing migration and digital transformation. The programme combined academic exchange with professional development activities aimed at strengthening researchers’ ability to communicate and position their work beyond academia. Workshops on research storytelling, media communication, and grant writing, led by Johanne Pelletier and Prof. Anna Triandafyllidou, provided insights into effectively presenting research narratives, engaging with public audiences, and developing competitive research proposals. Together, these activities highlighted the importance of translating technical research into accessible knowledge that can inform policy, public discourse, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Moreover, during the fellowship, Toan visited the Trustworthy AI Research Lab (TAILab) at Toronto Metropolitan University, founded by Associate Prof. Reza Samavi, where discussions focused on trustworthy, explainable, and responsible AI systems. The visit closely aligns with the research vision of TU Dortmund’s Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security (RC Trust), which addresses the growing challenge of building trust in intelligent systems at the intersection of technological innovation and societal acceptance. Conversations explored how human-centred AI design, explainable machine learning, and transparent data analytics can strengthen trust in AI systems, particularly in socially sensitive and safety-critical domains. In addition, Toan delivered a seminar talk at the University of Toronto, invited by Prof. Ebrahim Bagheri, where he shared research ideas on artificial intelligence and data-driven systems with students and researchers. The seminar fostered dialogue on how human–AI interaction and trustworthy data science can support responsible technological development, further strengthening international research connections and reinforcing the importance of designing intelligent systems that are both technically robust and socially trustworthy.

In summary, the fellowship strengthened international research network and provided meaningful opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge exchange. The experience highlighted the importance of combining technical innovation with responsible research practices and effective science communication to address complex global challenges such as migration and digital inclusion.