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UNESCO STEM education institute seeks AI and education experts by 19 June
UNESCO's International Institute for STEM Education seeks experts with five years of experience to guide its digital and AI transformation. Applications close 19 June 2026.
The UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education (IISTEM) is accepting applications until 19 June 2026 for international experts to guide its digital and AI transformation initiatives. This recruitment drive directly influences how global education systems integrate technology into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curricula.
Expertise and application areas
The Shanghai-based institute, established in 2026 as a UNESCO Category I Institute, seeks professionals to support six core areas: global standards, STEM education policy, learning ecosystems, workforce development, inclusion and gender equality, and digital transformation. Selected candidates may join international expert groups or secure contracts to draft frameworks, author reports, and develop training programs. Fengchun Miao, who leads AI in education policy at UNESCO headquarters, announced the call on LinkedIn. He wrote, "UNESCO's International Institute for STEM Education calls for experts to help shape global agenda on STEM education."
Requirements for digital and AI specialists
Applicants must demonstrate at least five years of experience managing major practical STEM education projects with documented results. Professionals working in AI for Education will find a direct match with IISTEM's requirement to design, test, and deploy human-centered digital systems for STEM learning. These systems must include documented validation of ethical compliance and pedagogical appropriateness.
Priorities and next steps
The institute will prioritize candidates from Africa, Least Developed Countries, and Small Island Developing States. Initiatives that actively support girls and women in STEM fields will also receive priority consideration. Following its inaugural Governing Board meeting in May 2026, IISTEM will assign selected experts to validate technology, strengthen capacity among decision-makers, and catalyze research partnerships.
Why this matters for educators
Education professionals should note that UNESCO is actively building the frameworks that will dictate how AI integrates into classroom environments. Teachers and curriculum designers who have built or followed an AI Learning Path for Teachers possess the practical evidence the institute seeks. This represents a concrete opportunity to influence global policy rather than merely adapting to it after the fact.