Summary
Dialogue & Society.
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Table of content
- Dialogue & Society
- “What does it take to be a good listener? And what do you need in order to listen actively, show respect, and express your views?”
- "How will you create a space where people feel safe? Stating your honest intentions and acknowledging your hesitations is already a strong start."
- 1. Getting started with dialogue
- 2. Personal Support
- 3. Training
- Frequently Asked Questions
Dialogue & Society
Engaging in dialogue may sound deceptively simple, but it’s more than talking and listening. This powerful form of communication has a rich world behind it. It’s about connecting the right people and making good use of valuable insights. Our inspiring resources, workshops, and facilitators help you explore different methods, formats, and skills. If you’re wondering when dialogue is relevant, how to organise one, or how to become a better conversation partner, you’re in the right place.
“What does it take to be a good listener? And what do you need in order to listen actively, show respect, and express your views?”
Petra de Boer, Dialogue Facilitator
We’ve gathered several resources to help you reflect on dialogue or organise one yourself. The Dialogue Navigator, Decision Tree, and Design Guide offer a solid starting point to familiarise yourself with the principles of dialogue and to begin putting them into practice.
"How will you create a space where people feel safe? Stating your honest intentions and acknowledging your hesitations is already a strong start."
Bert Lotz, researcher
1. Getting started with dialogue
The potential of dialogue
Explore why, when, and how you can use dialogue within a scientific context.
Organise a dialogue
Follow the design guide to set up your dialogue step by step.
2. Personal Support
The Facilitators Pool supports the organisation and hosting of dialogues within the WUR domains. This group of both experienced and aspiring facilitators shares a passion for communication, dialogue, and multi-stakeholder processes. Together, they apply and further develop their facilitation skills.
This enthusiastic group of researchers, lecturers, students, and other staff members strengthens their skills and exchanges experiences through regular peer-learning sessions. Our facilitators can provide one-time advice as a sparring partner for your project, or you can hire them as facilitators.
Get in touch with us if you’re looking for support or if you’re interested in becoming a facilitator.
3. Training
As an academic community, our role goes beyond publishing and teaching. To create meaningful societal impact, you need to be able to navigate complex conversations and transitions. Becoming comfortable with dialogue takes practice and we’re here to help.
Through our training programmes, you’ll learn when, how, and in what ways dialogical processes can be effective and valuable. Discover how to refine your role as a scientist, position yourself within polarised debates, and collaborate constructively across boundaries.
For students:
MOS modules such as Dialogue Skills, Intuitive Intelligence, Leadership for Transformation, and Argumentation Skills. Courses include Facilitating Interactive Processes, Exploring the Future of Food and Farming, and Transformative Sustainability Practices for Systemic Change.
Especially for PhD candidates:
PhD candidates can join Transformative Research for Sustainability Challenges, winner of the WUR Education Innovation Award.
For staff:
WUR staff can find many training programmes in MyDevelopment. We recommend Deep Democracy, The Art of Hosting, and Liberating Structures. Wageningen Dialogues also offers the following in-house trainings: Dealing with Difficult Conversations, Dealing with Polarisation, and Roles of the Scientist.
Fill in this form to register or contact us if you’re interested.
Dealing with Difficult Conversations
Are you a project leader, consortium coördinator, or participant working in a multi-stakeholder environment where challenging differences arise? Develop a personal approach to recognising, processing, and consciously responding to complex conversations. Learn practical ways to navigate these differences. You’ll practise stretching your open-mindedness by using techniques that help you explore with greater curiosity, such as asking critical questions, making observations, and resisting unhelpful automatic reactions. By the end of this workshop, you’ll be equipped with practical methods to handle diverse perspectives, respond with a constructive and open attitude, make well-considered choices, and ultimately foster dialogue.
This workshop requires some preparation: you’ll be asked to bring cases to the session. After the training, you will receive an assignment to apply what you’ve learned in your work.
| Facilitators: | Yael van Assendelft, Tossa Harding & Suzy Rebisz |
| Duration | Half-day (4 hours) |
| Costs per individual: |
Costs per individual: €260 |
| Interesting for: |
Researchers, team leaders, and coordinators of projects, departments, or programmes, as well as business developers who bring together diverse perspectives, interests, and disciplines. Also relevant for lecturers, HR professionals, and communication advisors involved in inter- and transdisciplinary work. |
Dealing with polarisation
Scientists are not in the business of taking sides, yet they are often put in a corner. WUR supports researchers in recognising dynamics of polarisation. What is the best way to respond when your research is misrepresented, misused, or taken out of context? What does it take to stand your ground as a scientist or researcher in times of polarisation? WUR collaborates closely with polarisation expert and philosopher Bart Brandsma, who has studied the phenomenon for decades. His Framework for Polarisation is central to this work. Wageningen researchers receive introductions, strategic sessions, and masterclasses based on this framework to better navigate their role in the public arena.
| Facilitators: | Simone Ritzer |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Costs per individual: |
Free for WUR staff |
| Interesting for: | Researchers and academics working on topics that are highly debated, sensitive, or controversial. |
Roles of the scientist
When addressing complex societal challenges, integrating knowledge and expertise is crucial, yet science is often contested. COVID-19 and the nitrogen debate are just two examples. This raises the question: what should the role of science be in such polarised or disputed debates? Do you see your role as providing facts and figures and leaving policy decisions to others? Do you actively campaign for a fairer, more sustainable world? Or do you approach your role differently. Perhaps doing both?
This workshop helps you reflect on the various roles scientists can play in society. Discover which role fits best in different situations and learn about the benefits and risks associated with each. It supports you in exploring your own position in creating impactful science.
| Facilitators: | Simone Ritzer & Nina de Roo |
| Duration: | 1,5 hours |
| Costs per individual |
Free for WUR staff |
| Interesting for: | Researchers (from PhD candidates to professors, junior to senior researchers), policy and communication staff, and academic advisors. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wageningen Dialogues provides inspiration and support for organising dialogues. The resources and training programmes offer practical tools to get started on your own, alongside answers to these frequently asked questions.
Can I use dialogue for…?
Wageningen Dialogues runs an inspiring dialogue programme aimed at contributing to major societal transitions, but its primary focus is enabling students and staff to integrate dialogue into their programmes and fields. We do not organise dialogues on request, but we do provide support if you want to use dialogue in your research, teaching, or communication strategy. The Dialogue Design Guide offers practical tools and step-by-step guidance for organising a dialogue.
I’m unsure whether to choose a dialogue or a debate. What should I do?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, dialogue and debate are truly different forms of conversation. Pages 17–18 of the Dialogue Navigator explain the differences and provide insight into the value of each approach.
Can I include dialogue as part of a conference I’m organising?
Absolutely! Dialogues can span multiple days, but this conversation format can also be encouraged through a simple exercise during a conference. It’s important to have a clear goal in mind. If the aim is to connect people, build shared understanding, bridge differences, evaluate, or work towards collective action, dialogical methods can be highly valuable. Some simple techniques from the Dialogue Navigator can serve as inspiration, or take a look at Liberating Structures.
Can you organise a dialogue for me?
Wageningen Dialogues runs an inspiring dialogue programme aimed at contributing to major societal transitions, but its main focus is enabling students and staff to integrate dialogue into their programmes and fields. We do not organise dialogues on request, but we do offer support if you want to use dialogue in your research, teaching, or communication strategy. The Dialogue Design Guide provides practical tools and step-by-step guidance for organising a dialogue.
Do I need to follow specific principles or guidelines when organising a dialogue?
There are indeed key principles underlying effective interactions between scientists and between scientists and societal stakeholders. We call these principles our “building blocks.” Following them is important for anyone organising, facilitating, or participating in a dialogue. The greater the differences in background, knowledge, perspectives, and interests, the more crucial these principles become. You can find these building blocks on pages 31–36 of the Dialogue Navigator.
I want to organise a dialogue. What support can you provide?
- By joining the Dialogue Community, you can develop and enhance your dialogue knowledge and skills. These sessions explore the potential of dialogue, let you experience its power firsthand, and provide plenty of opportunities to inspire others.
- The Dialogue Design Guide helps you bring your dialogue to life step by step. With these steps, your project plan is quickly ready to turn a dialogue into reality. As you’ll discover, a dialogue can range from a one-time event to a series of dialogues.
- Our pool of facilitators acts as a sparring partner to explore the potential of dialogue and enhance its quality. Get in touch if you’re looking for support or if you’re interested in becoming a facilitator.
Can you moderate the event or dialogue I’m organising?
WUR’s pool of moderators consists of colleagues with the skills and experience to host conferences, dialogues, and other interactive events. By involving these moderators, WUR events become more engaging, professional, reflective, and interdisciplinary. Moderators can act as sparring partners when designing professional programmes and can be hired to chair events, enhancing both the quality and reputation of key meetings. Contact us if you’re looking for a moderator for your dialogue or conference, or if you’re interested in becoming a moderator yourself.