Collaborative Futures Academy: Pause, Reflect, Engage!

In collaboration with Cambridge University, Berlin School and Welcoming Science. Researchers were given the opportunity to get together and focus on building capacity and capability. The week-long virtual conference involved confidential networking spaces for researchers to plan, practice and reflect. Each day had a distinct theme, led by keynote speakers alongside workshops and discussion groups.

During the academy, we thought about power and privilege, collaboration across cultures, borders, and communities, to improve skills in communication, to deal with challenging content, and to interrogate the growing fields of digital engagement, data security & cyber identity.

It was a week full of interesting and inspiring content with diverse views and opinions. I learnt a lot about communication and the importance of collaboration to push ideas forward as well as how engaging the public with controversial issues is challenging, but important.  The virtual academy allowed us to listen to and engage with different views, ideas and concerns and taught me how discussion can bring real long-term benefits to research and its impact on society.

I would recommend this week-long masterclass to early career researchers to develop their skills, explore creative ideas for engagement, learn from experts and connect digitally with colleagues from all over the world.