In late 2009 Bryson attended a training course organised by the "
The Dialogue Academy" which means that OmniScience can now offer to run Dialogue Events at your School or College to enable your students to explore issues in "Science in Society" and recognise the validity of their own opinions.
The Dialogue Academy was set up in 2009 to train individuals and organisations from the world of Science Communication to facilitate Dialogue Events.
What is a dialogue event?
Photos from the dialogue academy at Explore-At-Bristol attended by Dr Bryson Gore
Dialogue is...
- "A process of communication in which two or more participants engage in an open exploration of issues and relationships on an equitable basis."
- "Dialogue is the exchange of ideas, opinions, beliefs, and feelings between participants - both speakers and audience. It is listening with respect to others and being able to express one's own views with confidence.
- "Dialogue is not silence, chaos or one person or faction monopolising the session."
What does that mean in practice?
A dialogue event traditionally involves between 20 and 200 people exploring a contemporary issue for which there may be no obvious, clear cut, answer. The events can last an entire day ( or even days!) but will often take just half a day to introduce students to the idea that Science doesn't always have ALL the answers.
Some topics
- are in their infancy and Science, and Scientists, must consider how best to investigate them - e.g. Genetic therapies and Embryo research.
- have, seemingly, clear cut scientific answers but the social implications remains unresolved - e.g. Nuclear power and Global Warming
- place the scientific method 'against' faith based methods - e.g. Evolution and Alternative medicines.
The aims of a dialogue event include:
- allowing students, both individually and collectively, to explore the issue(s) that are being discussed.
- helping students to respect the opinions of others and to recognise the validity of their own opinions.
- providing an environment in which groups of people can feel empowered to contribute to a wider debate.
Dialogue events would normally take place in a space provided with tables to enable small groups or 6-10 people to discuss issues. Single classes may be broken up within a classroom or year groups within a school hall. Bryson Gore will co-ordinate the event but, for larger groups, it is valuable if the school can provide staff to help organise the event.