The aim of the event is to share the research results with a broad audience. ‘And we want to do that in a creative and original way,’ says Blokzijl. ‘We were looking for an alternative to standard conference elements such as keynote speakers, presentations and lectures.’
That’s why Voices in Motion is different. It is an interactive, cultural journey featuring lived experiences. Van den Berg explains: In the cabins at Boerderij Bosch, you’ll visit the participating universities and experience something distinctive from each country. Think of a touch of folklore, language, art, music, snacks and drinks, and other enjoyable surprises. This is important, as it shows just how international we are as a university.’
Futuring workshops
In addition to UT, researchers from universities in Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania and Portugal will be present. They are all partners in the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU). Blokzij explains: ‘Over the past three years, they have been trained within the ENHANCE project to bring science and society together in new ways to address societal challenges.’
‘This is done through so-called futuring workshops,’ says Van den Berg. ‘This method involves citizens in research and trains researchers to collaborate more effectively with different stakeholders in society.’ Blokzijl adds: ‘They are co-creation sessions in which every participant has an equal seat at the table. The approach is transdisciplinary: both lived experience and professional expertise are equally valued.’
Shaping the future together
‘The sessions have focused on topics such as biodiversity, democracy and education,’ Van den Berg continues. ‘At the core is the question of how to shape futures together. Take biodiversity, for example: what does it mean for your neighbourhood, who owns the problem, and who wants to engage in dialogue about it? Through futuring workshops, you realise that as a society we all have a role to play and can make a difference.’
The results of the research will be showcased during the festival. Blokzijl says: ‘Researchers will share their experiences and what they have learned. You can also take part in mini futuring workshops, including Measuring is ‘knowing’ the future, where you map the festival grounds and surrounding area using measuring equipment.’ She continues: ‘The festival marks the conclusion of the three-year project. It is a bottom-up initiative that clearly shows that distance no longer matters.’ Van den Berg adds: ‘Of course, we hope that the knowledge gained will be embedded within universities and other European higher education institutions. In that sense, the event is not an endpoint, but a starting point.’
