Ruth Förster & Misha Horacek: Artful Tools for Participatory Citizen Science and Beyond

In this workshop, we will practice tools for facilitation (and other roles) in collaboration and co-creation processes within heterogeneous actor groups. After the workshop participants will have basic skills in:  
●   Self-awareness: will be more self-aware with oneself and while with others  
●   Communication & Creative Expression: will be able to apply practical communication tools (beyond words) for constructive exchange  
●    Co-creation: will know how to hold supportive processes for co-creation within heterogeneous teams  

This playful and refreshing workshop will inspire you towards new, more effective ways for engaging in participatory research. We will help you to practice basic skills for artful facilitation by employing practice-proven and theory-based methods from the disciplines of performance art (improvisation) and embodied art practices (body experience, creative expression). These out-of-the-box creative methods involve alternating between moving, drawing and writing which in turn cultivate ease, flexibility and self-awareness while supporting communication, creative expression and co-creation.  

As we live in an era facing urgent societal and environmental challenges, Participatory Citizen Science (CS) is a growing​ ​field at the forefront of innovation and problem solving. However, the diversity of participants, involving actors from a variety of scientific backgrounds working alongside citizens and other professionals, is both what makes CS so powerful while presenting real challenges. Communication and the envisaged collaboration / co-creation can break down when participants possess such a diversity of viewpoints, values, methodologies, languages, etc.

Therefore, the facilitation of CS processes, particularly that of communication, is of utmost importance in order to make use of the potential for co-creation that is inherent within this rich diversity. The cultivation of self-awareness, communication & creative expression (beyond words!) and co-creation ​amongst all research participants in CS, particularly in the role of the facilitator, is crucial. ​Performance art and embodied art practices offer suitable and powerful approaches for the building of the artful skills necessary for collaboration, involving the whole person in a spectrum of communication.

For further information about Misha Horacek and Ruth Förster, see the Speakers & trainers site.

Session: Parallel Workshops 2

Date: Thursday, June 17th (Part 1 & 2) Tuesday, June 22nd (Part 3)