Jan Van Maele & Annemie Decavele (KU Leuven)
with the support of Lut Baten (KU Leuven) and Adriana Moeno Cely (VUB),
and for feedback on the presentations, the TP3 team
Introduction
The overall purpose of the workshop is to guide the participants in understanding and presenting their research through a systems lens. This general purpose comprises the following three learning goals:
- to bring a systems lens to your research, by learning to articulate system structure and system behavior with respect to your research topic;
- to enhance the impact of your oral presentations by finding common ground with the audience and developing verbal and non-verbal communication techniques;
(3) to add a systems thinking angle to your research communication, integrating what you learned in steps (1) and (2).
The workshop proper runs over two days. On day 1, the first two learning goals will be addressed through a combination of interactive plenary sessions and hands-on exercises in smaller groups. On the morning of day 2, the focus rests on the third learning goal as you coach each other to apply what you have learned to your oral presentation. In addition, you will receive personal feedback from one of the facilitators after delivering your presentation during the PhD Scientific Workshop on 8 & 9 November.
The contents of the introduction to systems thinking will be largely based on Meadows’ (2009) Thinking in systems. A primer. Part One of this primer will be made available as a hand-out to the participants. For inspiration for the experiential exercises, we turned to the accompanying ‘playbook’ by Sweeney and Meadows. (2010).[1]
Program of the Workshop
DAY 1 – Monday November 6, 2017
· 9:00 - 11:00 An introduction to systems thinking
Presenter: Jan Van Maele, with the support of Annemie Decavele, Lut Baten and Adriana Moreno Cely
In this session, combining a plenary lecture and outdoor practical exercises, you will learn about the benefits of systems thinking and acquire a terminology and notation for representing, exploring, and discussing issues as systems. This shared language will enable you to view yourselves and your environment through a systems lens.
11:00 - 11:30 Coffee break
· 11:30 - 13:00 Identifying levers that impact system structure
Presenter: Jan Van Maele, with the support of Annemie Decavele, Lut Baten and Adriana Moreno Cely
In this session, again combining lecture with hands-on exercises, you will learn about boundaries and leverage points in systems, and be challenged to consider your own and fellow participants’ research through a systems lens
13:00 – 14:00 Sandwich lunch
- 14:00 – 15:30 An introduction to effective presentations
Presenter: Annemie Decavele
This interactive plenary session will enhance your public speaking skills so you can feel more comfortable and prepared when speaking at a conference or meeting by applying breathing and speaking techniques. The session will also offer ideas for connecting with your audience and finding common ground so you can keep your audience engaged and energized.
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break
- 16:00 – 17:00 Identifying keys to impact and effectiveness in presentations
Presenter: Annemie Decavele
The presenter will challenge you to analyze the choices she made during preparation and delivery of the presentation before the break.
DAY 2 – Tuesday November 7, 2017
· 9:00 - 10:30 Applying systems thinking to your research topic
Facilitators: Jan Van Maele, Annemie Decavele, Lut Baten and Adriana Moreno Cely
This session, which consists of individual and small group exercises with some plenary moments, will support you in taking the next step and explore ways of adding a systems thinking angle to your research topic in view of the upcoming conference presentation.
10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break
· 11:00 - 13:00 Applying systems thinking to your research communication
Facilitators: Jan Van Maele, Annemie Decavele, Lut Baten and Adriana Moreno Cely
Coached by the facilitators, you will be asked to integrate all that you learned and prepare an enhanced oral conference presentation that includes a system lens (as manifested particularly in the context/background, discussion, and concluding sections) and aims at creating common ground with the audience.
13:00 – 14:00 Sandwich lunch
· 14:00 – 16:00 Applying systems thinking to your research communication (cont.)
Facilitators: Jan Van Maele, Annemie Decavele, Lut Baten and Adriana Moreno Cely
Coached by the facilitators, you will be asked to integrate all that you learned and complete an enhanced oral conference presentation that includes a system lens (as manifested particularly in the context/background, discussion, and concluding sections) and aims at creating common ground with the audience.
You will have the possibility of trying out (parts of) your presentation and receive feedback from your peers and the workshop facilitators.
The day will conclude with several reflection activities so as to articulate what we have learned and what new questions have emerged.
Wednesday November 8 and Thursday November 9, 2017
· 15:30 - 17:30 Individual feedback to the participant-presenters[2]
Facilitators: Lut Baten, Jan Van Maele, Annemie Decavele, Adriana Moreno Cely, and Yisel Gallego, Diana Oliveros, and Clara Escalona.
Individual appointments with one of the facilitators and/or TP3 members will be arranged so that each presenter receives individual feedback on their oral presentation in view of the general workshop objectives as well as wider language and communication aspects.