University-led dialogues with society

balancing informing and listening?

Journal Article (2024)
Author(s)

Nina de Roo (Wageningen University & Research)

Tamara Metze (TU Delft - Organisation & Governance)

Cees Leeuwis (Wageningen University & Research)

Research Group
Organisation & Governance
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.22323/2.23010802
More Info
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Publication Year
2024
Language
English
Research Group
Organisation & Governance
Issue number
1
Volume number
23
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Abstract

In response to a growing understanding that scientific knowledge is not always trusted at face value, many universities organise dialogues to ‘open up’ to society. In four exploratory case studies at the Dutch Wageningen University & Research, we looked into the adherence to dialogue principles and the roles that researchers performed while engaging in dialogues. We found that researchers face three challenges when interacting with societal stakeholders in dialogues: (1) moving from knowledge provider to “letting in” and listening to different perspectives (2) balancing attention toward knowledge with attention toward values and emotions (3) navigating different aspired and perceived roles of researchers in dialogue (e.g. Pure Scientist versus Issue Advocate).