C6.M1 Science in Dialogue

Training on multi-stakeholder communication in the science and technology field

Course Description:

Why a ‘Science in dialogue’ training?
Researchers often work in public-private consortia and are faced with the task to operate in a heterogeneous group of stakeholders to jointly address complex social problems. Innovation processes are increasingly seen as an interactive design process and scientific results are often developed in an interaction with the ‘real’ world. In both situations dialogue between the various stakeholders holds the key to success. Nowadays, collaborations that cross university-borders are an essential part of any researcher’s job.Unfortunately, a considerable amount of these multi-stakeholder collaborations fail. They lose momentum, lead to suboptimal results or end in conflict… How to construct a successful dialogue does not seem so evident. Researchers simply lack specific knowledge, competences and skills when it comes to this process of dialogue and its specific features.
Whom is the course for?

• PhD students who are looking for additional insights and knowledge related to communication in multi-stakeholder collaborations.
• PhD students who have been working in multi-stakeholder projects, as a researcher or as project manager and want to deal their experiences and knowledge with other fellow-students. We expect you to actively participate in the project. Knowledge of dialogue processes of science communication is not necessary. Experience with multi-stakeholder collaboration is a plus.

Who guides the process?
A team of science communication experts supplemented with experts around specific themes.

Learning Objectives:

This training works on the generic/transferable skill ‘Collaboration/teamwork’ in the doctoral education profile of the TU Delft. More explicit, it:

• provides insight in the process of dialogue and how this may benefit you as a researcher in your research and personal development.
• professionalizes you as a researcher in the domain of participative science communication on multi-stakeholder collaboration.
• provides you with social communicative (such as active listening and other’s reference frames) and normative-cultural (such as feeling for context and other’s norms and values) competences and skills to operate effectively in interdisciplinary and interactive cooperation.

Teaching Method:

Exceptional offer! Participatory-design pilot training
The first training will be developed in consultation and cooperation with the participants and dialogue experts. PhD students with experience or knowledge relating to multi-stakeholder collaboration, dialogue or above-mentioned issues are given priority when registering for the participatory-design pilot.

Knowledge exchange with experienced dialogue experts and fellow researchers is the common approach during this learning. You learn effectively through an optimal mix of substantive input, case studies and simulations.

Knowledge Deepening

• in-depth understanding of the complexities and nuances of S & T dialogue processes. Social and communication skills
• active listening
• in-depth understanding of others’ positions and underlying assumptions, interests and frames of references
• reflection on one’s own research from a different perspective

Normative-cultural competences

• sense of context
• dealing with values and norms
• ratio vs. emotion Attitude change
• acknowledging the importance of one’s own participation in dialogue processes in the field of science and technology.

Course Enrolment

If you would like to enrol in this course, please fill out the "Course Enrolment Form" and e-mail this to graduateschool@remove-this.tudelft.nl. If you would like to take more than one course, please fill out one form per course. Enrolment forms stating more than one course will not be processed.

Please note that:

• Enrolment is on a first-come, first-served basis;
• We will only accept your enrolment if you are able to attend the entire course.
• If the course is already fully booked, we will place you on a waiting list. We will contact you if a space becomes available. In the meantime, we recommend that you check the website regularly to see if a new session has been planned.

About the Lecturer(s)/Coach(es)

Dr. A. Van der Auweraert graduated as a biologist at the University of Antwerp, but finished a PhD in Science Communication at the University of Wageningen. She now is a science communication researcher and -teacher at the TU of Delft. Dr. A. Van der Auweraert organised a national science communication training in Belgium (WeCom), directed a platform of science communication professionals and participated in various other science communication activities.