Category Archives: Knowledge Exchange

Sensing Common Grounds. Towards Collaborative Speculation

Roundtable Discussion by Cluster of excellence “Matters of Activity” on November 14, 2024, 6:30 pm

The roundtable addresses current challenges at the intersection of critical humanities scholarship and design research by discussing nuanced means of knowing and making. It attends to collaborative speculation in inter- and transdisciplinary contexts to sense and unearth common grounds through the reality of the ecological predicament. Together with our guests, we ask about the narratives, prototypes, norms, materials and media that hold knowledge (and non-knowledge) of such speculations and public imaginaries: How to unlearn and unmake dominant modes of worldmaking by cutting across disciplines, foregrounding embodied knowledges, situated inquiry and extra-academic encounters?

The event will be held in English.                      

Hermann von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Kulturtechnik, HU Berlin Campus Nord, Philippstraße 13/Haus 3

 

Researching with Society: International Perspectives

HU Office for Knowledge Exchange with Society at Zentrum für Kulturtechnik | TD-Lab – Laboratory for Transdisciplinary Research of the Berlin University Alliance

Time:    Wednesday, 20. November 2024, 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Place:    Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Nord, Philippstraße 13, Haus 3, 10115 Berlin
(Keynote/Workshops: Entrance Tieranatomisches Theater;
Reception: Entrance Hermann von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Kulturtechnik)

This is an in-person event that will take place in English. Please note that the workshops are currently fully booked and that your name will be added to a waiting list. Please register your interest here.

Researching with Society: International Perspectives

We are pleased to announce the event “Researching with Society: International Perspectives” on November 20th 2024, a get-together at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on participatory research and public engagement offering learning and networking opportunities for Berlin researchers. The day will feature a keynote speech and workshops by international experts from the University of Oxford followed by a reception allowing time and space for networking and discussions.
Science and universities have a central role and responsibility in dealing with major societal challenges of our time. Knowledge exchange between academia and society is thus increasingly becoming an important part of research and knowledge production. The event welcomes all researchers, members of BUA institutions and interested science-related organizations to explore approaches and impact of participatory research and public engagement, discuss civic responsibilities of universities and network with partners from the University of Oxford. Please join us for the following program:

12:40 pm   Doors open at Tieranatomisches Theater

1:00-1:45 pm   Keynote Speech: Enhancing Research Through Public Engagement – Strengthening Participatory Approaches in Academia
by Dr. Victoria McGuinness, Head of Public Engagement, Head of The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH), University of Oxford
preceded by a welcome by Prof. Dr. Julia von Blumenthal, president of HU Berlin

This talk will explore the vital role of universities in addressing today’s societal challenges and their civic responsibilities. It will outline the opportunities for collaboration and co-creation and the added value of participatory approaches and public engagement in research, including their impact and outcomes. The speaker will share examples of how universities can support participatory research methods and strengthen these essential practices in academia

1:45-3:45 pm    Parallel Workshops: please note that the workshops are fully booked at present and that your name will be added to a waiting list (register your interest here)

Workshop 1: What is Public Engagement with Research in the Humanities?
Dr. Victoria McGuinness, Head of Public Engagement, Head of TORCH, University of Oxford
This workshop will delve into the feasibility of public engagement and participation across various disciplines in the Humanities. We will explore the motivations for researchers to engage in participatory projects with non-academic audiences and organisations, and identify the support needed to initiate and lead these initiatives. Participants will discuss the challenges faced in implementing participatory research approaches and public engagement, sharing methods and solutions to overcome obstacles. Join us to enrich your research through meaningful and equitable collaboration.

Workshop 2: Developing Compelling Impact Stories
Pavel Ovseiko, DPhil MSc PGDip, Senior Research Fellow in Health Policy and Management, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford
This interactive workshop will introduce you to the UK’s best practice in defining, capturing, communicating, and incentivising research with impact on society, culture, and the economy. We will look at the fundamentals of a narrative impact case study, examine a mixture of real-world case studies, and critically discuss comparative advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to measuring and rewarding impactful research. You will walk away with real insights into what it takes to develop a narrative impact case study; which types of indicators you can use to demonstrate your impact; and how to pull different strands of evidence into compelling impact stories.

4:00-5:30 pm  Reception and Networking (snacks and drinks provided)
With Dr. Victoria McGuinness (TORCH, University of Oxford), Pavel Ovseiko (John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford), OPEN HUMBOLDT Advisory Board, HU Office for Knowledge Exchange with Society, BUA TD-Lab

Registration: Please register for the event and select a workshop here (waiting list)
Contact: wissensaustausch.hzk@hu-berlin.de

Photo: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Open Humboldt Freiräume – Time for dialogue and exchange

Time to implement projects with organisations from civil society organisations and thus promote the exchange of knowledge between university and society – this is what the Open Humboldt Freiräume funding line stands for. It literally creates ‘free spaces’ for researchers, who can be released from their teaching duties for one semester, to realise their ideas. The Humboldt University thus supports the exchange between science and society in the long term, as the projects often result in long-term collaborations and strong networks with civil society partners.

The programme is currently in its fifth round and has already supported 14 projects since 2021. In a video, researchers and their partners talk about the wishes and goals they have for their projects, what they learn and what successful projects look like.

Open Humboldt Freiräume is supported with excellence funding from the Berlin University Alliance.

Presented – Open Humboldt Freiräume in the video (YouTube)

OpenHumboldtFreiräume-Imagefilm-00000218-Standbild001
Prof. Gökce Yurdakul (right) in conversation with practice partners. Photo: Isabelle Duchêne

Training Program in Public Engagement for Researchers

The team of HU ‘Knowledge Exchange with Society‘ at Zentrum für Kulturtechnik (HZK) invites researchers to participate in a training program for Public Engagement, delivered by the Berlin School of Public Engagement and Open Science. The workshop series is an effective and flexible training in public engagement and knowledge exchange between science and society. It offers an active network and a certificate in the field of participation and engagement.

  • What: Training program (Ger/Eng) with 3 thematic modules and optional units: 1. Foundations – Engagement in Practice, 2. Evaluation Practice, 3. Creative Engagement – Skills and Formats
  • Who: the training is aimed at researchers from all disciplines and at all stages of their careers who are interested in cooperating with non-academic and community partners
  • When: from October 2024 to June 2025, with an average of one workshop per month; you can choose and book the individual appointments on your own
  • Where: live online sessions on Zoom

Please see here for detailed information about the training

If you are interested in participating or have questions, please contact the HU-team Knowledge Exchange with Society at wissensaustausch.hzk@hu-berlin.de until September 15.

 

Call for Proposals: Open Humboldt Freiräume for Public Engagement

The funding program “Open Humboldt Freiräume” at HZK focuses on the need of researchers to have more time in order to engage in a dialogue with society and to develop projects for knowledge exchange between science and society.

The selected scientists will receive a teaching reduction to 0 SWS and funds for a replacement position for one semester (summer 2025 or winter 2025/26) to implement a knowledge exchange project with non-academic partners. Professors, postdocs and doctoral students at HU Berlin are eligible to apply. The applicants’ positions must have a teaching load and be fully financed by HU funds.

Info sessions online:
Tuesday, 13 August 2024, 10:00 a.m., Registration (HU-Zoom)
Friday, 19. September 2024, 12:00 noon, Registration (HU-Zoom)

Application deadline: October 11, 2024

For any questions  about the funding program, please contact Xenia Muth in the HZK area “Knowledge Exchange with Society” at wissensaustausch.hzk@hu-berlin.de or join a Freiräume info session.

Call for proposals Open Humboldt Freiräume 2025/26

Time is What you Make of it – Photo © Matthias Heyde