UNESCO STEM institute seeks AI and education experts by 19 June
The call covers global standards, STEM policy, workforce development, inclusion, learning ecosystems, and digital and AI transformation.
The UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education is seeking experts to support work across STEM education, policy, inclusion, workforce development, and digital and AI transformation.
The UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education is calling for international experts to support its work on STEM education, including digital and AI transformation, with applications due by midnight CET on 19 June 2026.
The institute, known as IISTEM, is seeking experts who can contribute to program implementation across six areas: Global Standards, STEM Education Policy, STEM Learning Ecosystems, STEM Education Workforce, Inclusion, Equity and Gender Equality, and Digital and AI Transformation of STEM Education.
UNESCO may invite selected experts to join IISTEM’s international expert groups in STEM education. Qualified experts may also be contracted to draft frameworks, prepare working papers, author reports, carry out analysis, develop training programs, or support research and development of digital and AI systems.
IISTEM was established in 2026 as a UNESCO Category I Institute following a resolution at the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference. It is based in Shanghai, China.
The institute is mandated to promote inclusive, equitable, and quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education from early childhood to adulthood.
Experts sought across STEM and AI
The call was shared by Fengchun Miao, who works on AI in education policy, AI competency frameworks, and STEM education at UNESCO headquarters.
Miao wrote in a LinkedIn post: "UNESCO’s International Institute for STEM Education calls for experts to help shape global agenda on STEM education."
The required profile includes established international expertise in STEM education, supported by scholarly publications that have contributed to knowledge and practice in the field.
IISTEM is also seeking people with at least five years’ experience working on major practical STEM education projects with evidence of novelty, significant audience effects, or transformative impact.
The call also covers experts with combined experience in STEM education policy, teacher training programs, or STEM curricula for students, supported by links to policy documents, programs, curricula, and evidence of impact.
Digital and AI systems for STEM learning
IISTEM is also seeking experts able to design, develop, test, and deploy human-centered digital or AI systems for STEM education.
The call specifies that digital or AI systems should have documented validation of ethical compliance and pedagogical appropriateness.
UNESCO said IISTEM’s digital and AI transformation work will guide, validate, and test human-centered technology, including AI innovation, to support students’ STEM learning with a focus on critical thinking and creativity.
The institute’s wider work includes shaping global standards, supporting policy dialogue, catalyzing research, strengthening capacity among decision-makers and educators, and mobilizing partnerships between policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.
IISTEM said priority will be given to Africa, Least Developed Countries, and Small Island Developing States, as well as initiatives that support girls and women in STEM.
The call follows the inaugural meeting of IISTEM’s Governing Board in May 2026. Selected experts may be asked to support UNESCO’s work on frameworks, reports, training programs, analytical work, and digital or AI systems for STEM education.
