Briefly analyzed
“Pause, Reflect, Engage” was the motto of the Collaborative Futures Academy. It took place last year in November. The academy expanded the public engagement skills of scientists in an interactive and diverse way. The diversity of topics and speakers was particularly important. Their openness to share ideas and feelings was adopted by the participants. CFA inspired not only them, but also the organizing team in many ways. In the end, it was clear to all: the community that was created will result in a network for mutual support and future exchange.
Continuing Education An academy that “exceeded expectations” – that was the Collaborative Futures Academy. Why the participants were enthusiastic about it and what lessons we draw from it for future public engagement projects is analyzed in this field report.
Part one is about the approach of CFA’s organization. Especially the diversity of the speakers was important.
Inspiration for projects
“The CFA exceeded my expectations.”- “I haven’t felt so emotional at the end of a conference program! I have learned so much, way more than I expected to when applying for the CFA – thank you for letting me be a part of it.” Participants Amber Sawyer and Harriet Craven reflected on the Collaborative Futures Academy (CFA). This week-long academy in November 2021 expanded scientists’ public engagement skills. We reflect on the program and event in general. This is our way of sharing our experiences. They are meant to inspire you.
In organizing CFA, both the diversity of the speakers and the diversity of the topics were important. Different thoughts and experiences should inspire the participants. Nicola Carter reflected on the week: “What inspired me? I think mixing with so many researchers from different backgrounds. It was a space I am not used to being in before and that I thought was very exciting.” The CFA team also gained new impressions: “It was so inspirational to work with the team, to get all the different perspectives from the speakers, the session leads. I think that was the first round of inspiration: just being part of that amazing collaboration,” emphasized Alina Loth. She supported the German and international participants.
Equal despite differences
The collaboration consisted of the Berlin School of Public Engagement and Open Science, the Wellcome Connecting Science Center and the University of Cambridge as well as grasshopper kreativ. We were involved in the planning from the beginning as project partners. Both in the creation of the program and in the creative implementation and follow-up: During CFA we had anewsletter. This summarized the day and served as a reminder. We also produced a trailer about the week. It shows the approach of the academy and reflects the diversity of the topics. Each person within the collaboration had different tasks as well as previous experience. Nevertheless, everyone was equal. An important mindset. It helps in the implementation of engagement events. Because this was transferred to the program, which we developed in a co-creative wa
Part two is about the special structure of the sessions offered. In which networking played a major role.