The Art of Dialogue for researchers

Research has an impact when it resonates in society. But how do you actually engage in dialogue with the people for whom you conduct research?
The truly good conversation is becoming increasingly important. In a time when research and society are becoming more intertwined, it is not enough to simply communicate knowledge. This requires a different approach. How can research not only provide knowledge but also help to better understand and navigate complex issues? And how can insights from society, in turn, enrich scientific research?

Network Science in Dialogue, IXA, Amsterdam Public Health, and Open Science Community are offering two training sessions in May for researchers who want to engage in meaningful dialogue. In these training sessions, you will explore how, as a researcher, you can organize a dialogue that goes beyond merely transmitting knowledge. Please note: attending just one of them is also possible!

How do you design conversations in which different perspectives genuinely interact with each other? How do you prevent conversations from devolving into debates or polarization, and create space for mutual understanding and new insights? And what role do you play in this process?

The Art of Dialogue

Tuesday 13 May | ⏰ 14:00 – 17:00 | VU Campus, Room: Atrium (MF-D146) Medische Faculteit (map of VU Campus) | maximum 25 participants

A good dialogue requires more than just talking. It requires listening, asking the right questions, and dealing with tension and uncertainty. In this session, you will learn how to conduct a dialogue that goes beyond information transfer and leads to mutual understanding and new insights.

• What makes a dialogue effective? – The core principles of dialogical interaction
• Dealing with resistance and different perspectives – How do you ensure that the existing knowledge strengthens rather than hinders each other?
• Listening and asking questions as a skill – How do you initiate an open conversation?
• Navigating power dynamics – When do you intervene in conversations?

This session combines theory with practice: we work with concrete cases and interactive exercises.

Designing Dialogue

Tuesday 27 May | ⏰ 14:00 – 17:00 | [VU Campus, Room: Atrium (MF-D146) Medische Faculteit (map of VU Campus) | maximum 25 participants

A dialogue does not arise by itself – it requires a thoughtful setup. In this session, we will work on designing a dialogue meeting within your research context.

• Which people do you involve and why? – How do you determine who gets to participate?
• Different forms of dialogue – From roundtable discussions to participatory methods
• How do you facilitate a setting in which people dare to speak openly?
• What is your role as a researcher? – The balance between expert and facilitator