... or better the first announcement for the “Science Shop Autumn School”, Dublin, Ireland, 3 + 4 October 2011. Please repost where appropriate, and apologies if you receive multiple mailings.

European funding allows the Living Knowledge Network to offer a free ‘Autumn School’ to all those interested in operating a Science Shop, or Community-Based Research Office. It will take place in Dublin, Ireland, on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th of October, 2011, for two full days. Participation is free; however, you do need to cover your own travel and stay. Language: English. If you are interested let us know before June 20 (please reply to [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> and not to all on this mailing list). Places are limited, but we will set up a waiting list if necessary. Before June 30 we’ll give you the details of the location and let you know whether you can attend, so you can look for funds if required and book your trip.

This workshop will be given by science shop coordinators with a long experience, from The Netherlands and Germany; additional presentations and discussions are possible with coordinators from other countries during the last part of the ‘School’.
 
Science Shops provide independent, participatory research support in response to concerns expressed by civil society groups. They cover all academic and engineering disciplines, so ‘science’ should be taken in its broadest meaning. They are also not ‘shops’ in the traditional sense of the word. Science Shops are small entities that carry out research in a wide range of disciplines – usually free of charge – on behalf of (or with) citizens and civil society organisations. That Science Shops respond to civil society’s needs for expertise and knowledge is a key element that distinguishes them from other knowledge transfer mechanisms.

Science Shops are often linked to universities, so that students can conduct research as part of their curriculum with no additional costs to partners. Others, however, are not linked to a University and operate as independent entities.
 
The Autumn School is relevant to those who would like to structure and embed community-university engagement more broadly in their local (or regional) context, or set up any form of co-operation in research with civil-society organisations. The workshop will be in the form of an interactive class. We will discuss operational options and good practices, but also challenges in running a Science Shop. We will talk about the history of Science Shops, about working with students in the curriculum, about working with researchers and working with civil society organisations. We will show how an office of a Science Shop can be organised (at university, faculty, or as independent organisation). We will elaborate on the 10 steps in the mediation process --the daily work at a Science Shop-- and will explain and exercise with you how projects are set-up. We will also elaborate on funding options and partners to involve in setting up a Science Shop.
 
There are many differences in the way science shops are organised and operate, as well as some important parallels. With the participants we will discuss the possibilities to best adapt good practices to their own local context. We will not present just one blueprint, because that does not exist. Thus, we hope for an active contribution of all participants. The Autumn School addresses university leaders, research managers, professors/teachers, science policy makers, scientists, science communicators, community leaders, NGO representatives, graduate students, PhD students, and others who are interested in setting up a Science Shop or starting Community- Based Research projects.
 
This Autumn School receives funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n° 244264 (the PERARES project). Main organisers are:

Dr. Henk Mulder, Science Shop, University of Groningen, The Netherlands, [email protected]  and

Norbert Steinhaus, Science Shop Bonn, Germany, [email protected]

Website: www.livingknowledge.org
 
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Dr. Henk A.J. Mulder
Bèta Wetenschapswinkel (Science Shop) - Science and Society Group
and Masterprogram Science Education and Communication

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (University of Groningen)
Postbus 221 (P.O. Box 221)
NL-9700 AE Groningen
The Netherlands

bezoek adres/visiting address:
Nijenborgh 4
nieuwe kamer (new room): 5115.0311
NL-9747 AG Groningen
The Netherlands

Tel + 31 (0) 50 - 363 4436
Fax + 31 (0) 50 - 363 7168
[email protected]
http://www.rug.nl/wewi
http://www.rug.nl/fwn/ssg
http://www.rug.nl/ec