Wageningen Dialogues: Bridging research and community

Universities have historically been seen as ivory towers. Today, however, they are trying to find ways to shift that perspective in order to create meaningful engagement with society. With that mission in mind, Wageningen Dialogues started in 2019^[1] with the aim of challenging the notion that scientific institutions provide absolute truth, emphasising instead the importance of diverse perspectives, critical thinking, and the recognition that science often operates within a context of uncertainty and evolving knowledge.

How dialogue can foster better outcomes: Six key principles

Dialogue is a powerful tool for achieving better outcomes in any discussion or decision-making process, such as when engaging with society (de Roo, Metze, & Leeuwis, 2024). Here are six key principles that make dialogue so effective:

1. Inclusive participation

When people from various backgrounds and with different perspectives come together to set the agenda and participate in events, the results are often more successful. This diversity ensures that multiple viewpoints are considered, leading to more well-rounded decisions (Scharmer, 2016).

2. Embracing diverse perspectives

By welcoming a range of opinions, dialogue allows opposing views and potential conflicts to come to light. This process can lead to a deeper understanding and more innovative solutions, as all sides of an issue are explored.

3. Valuing emotions and knowledge equally

Dialogue creates space for both emotions and knowledge, recognising that feelings are just as important as facts. This balanced approach helps to build a more holistic understanding of any issue (Pearce & Littlejohn, 1997).

4. Creating a safe space

It’s crucial for participants to feel they can speak and think freely without fear of judgment. A safe space encourages honest and open communication, which is essential for genuine dialogue (Brouwer et al., 2024; Scharmer, 2016; Schein, 1993).

5. Practicing deep listening

Deep listening involves suspending judgment and truly hearing what others have to say. This respectful approach helps to embrace and value diverse forms of knowledge, fostering mutual respect and understanding (Bohm, 2004; Scharmer, 2016).

6. Openness to new perspectives

Dialogue requires an openness to new ideas and viewpoints from everyone involved, especially the organisers. This openness can lead to greater insights and more effective solutions.

Wageningen Dialogues

Wageningen Dialogues is a transformative program at WUR^[2] designed to enhance communication between researchers and the local community, fostering a deeper understanding of complex social issues and promoting collaborative research. The program’s core aim is to integrate deliberative methods into academic work, bridging the gap between scientific inquiry and societal needs.

Dialogue creates connections. And that is exactly what we need with rising polarisation and the complexity of challenges we face.

Simone Ritzer, programme manager Wageningen Dialogues

Programme overview

Wageningen Dialogues is a programme consisting of 3 different pillars:

1. Organising events to introduce people the concept of dialogues and the impact it creates^[3],
2. Capacity building of dialogue skills through workshops, a community of practice and the development of educational materials^[4], and
3. Developing a pool of skilled facilitators and moderators who can be hired to support the organisation in implementing dialogue and deliberative methods.

Incentives for academics to engage in this programme include the opportunity to experience dialogue and diverse deliberative methods, supporting their integration into various phases of research, such as the formulation of research questions, analytical processes, and enhancing outreach efforts.

The program expanded to include two types of events: Community meet-ups, held monthly with around 25 participants, primarily focus on deliberative methods and skills development, using a specific topic as an example; and dialogue events involving the WUR community and a diverse range of external stakeholders, which are longer in format and attract between 80 and 120 participants.

Impact and outcomes

The program manager Simone Ritzer highlights that the most profound impact of this initiative is the sense of visibility and recognition felt by academics. Feedback for the program indicates a growing confidence among researchers in employing dialogue and deliberative methods as credible scientific approaches. Previously perceived as burdensome, these methods now enjoy acknowledgment within the academic community. The program also cultivates valuable internal connections among researchers, facilitated by Wageningen Dialogues, which provide space for engagement and inspiration for collaborative projects. Additionally, an increasing number of educators at WUR and other universities are integrating these methods into their curricula and seeking support from the program team. Another notable outcome is the expanding pool of facilitators and moderators who assist researchers, teaching staff, and other stakeholders in incorporating dialogue into their professional practices.

Conclusion

Wageningen Dialogues has become a vital part of WUR’s mission to connect research with real-world issues. By facilitating dialogue between researchers and the community, the program not only enhances academic work but also contributes to the broader societal understanding and resolution of complex issues. As it continues to evolve, Wageningen Dialogues remains committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive research environment.

References

^[1] https://www.wur.nl/en/value-creation-cooperation/join-us-on-campus/wageningen-dialogues.html

^[2] Wageningen University & Research – a collaboration between Wageningen University and the Wageningen Research foundation

^[3] Some examples of dialogues https://www.wur.nl/en/value-creation-cooperation/join-us-on-campus/wageningen-dialogues/news-and-calendar/dialogue-framing-and-polarisation-in-the-food-debate-searching-for-shared-values.htm and https://www.wur.nl/en/newsarticle/urgency-and-impatience-perspectives-on-the-future-of-agriculture-food-and-nature.htm

^[4] Some examples of workshops https://www.wur.nl/en/activity/navigating-facts-values.htm and https://www.wur.nl/en/activity/stay-with-the-trouble.htm

de Roo, N., Metze, T., & Leeuwis, C. (2024). University-led dialogues with society: balancing informing and listening? Journal of Science Communication , 23(1), Article N02.

Scharmer, C. O. (2016). Theory U: leading from the future as it emerges (2nd ed.). Oakland, CA, U.S.A.: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Pearce, W. B. & Littlejohn, S. W. (1997). Moral conflict: when social worlds collide. Thousand Oaks, CA, U.S.A.: SAGE Publications.

Schein, E. H. (1993). On dialogue, culture, and organizational learning. Organizational Dynamics 22 (2), 40–51.

Brouwer, H., Woodhill, J., Hemmati, M., Verhoosel, K. & van Vugt, S. (2016). The MSP guide: how to design and facilitate multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Bohm, D. (2004). On dialogue (2nd ed.) (L. Nichol, Ed.). London, U.K.: Routledge.

This article is based on an interview with Simone Ritzer, Programme Manager Wageningen Dialogues at WUR for the Time4UniChange project, funded under Erasmus+.

Rimante Rusaite (author) is a Senior Project Officer at UIIN and holds an MSc in Environmental Policy and BSc in Psychology. Dedicated to sustainability and innovations, she’s also a design thinking coach and systems thinking enthusiast.