Bridging Minds - Acteon

Master practical techniques to facilitate inclusive, productive, and impactful discussions across diverse stakeholders.

For this last Bridging Minds webinar, we explore more in depth different dimensions which support how to read groups on meetings and other encounters. Connecting different elements of the previous webinars in a holistic view by linking groups dynamics, different participation implementation forms and the (un)conscious use of suppression techniques.

In this session, we’ll explore:

*   **The ‘Simplicity of Complex Things’ versus the ‘Complexity of Simple Things’ **: a (re)discovery of easy actions and behaviours, in the frame of participatory processes. The modesty of ‘Master’.
*   **Groups Stages**: the importance of understanding and reading the stage of groups and teams in perspective of taking common decisions.
*   **Participative Concepts**: how different models influence the level of decision making, links to groups stages and the use of power.
*   **Suppression techniques**: how to recognise them and how to counter them. Inflicted by yourself, or by others. A surprising discovery of yourself and others.

**Why does this matter for biodiversity conservation?** The SPSI (Science-Policy-Society Interface) is interwoven with many different interests. Placing these interests during meetings in the perspective of group dynamics, power relationships and meeting techniques aim to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of SPSI encounters.

**Based on practice:** using case examples of working with diverse groups in multiple international contexts.

**Register now** to explore and (re)discover about you and others on meetings and groups. Conscious and/or unconscious.


The art of managing a meeting

How do power dynamics influence who gets heard, who makes decisions, and ultimately, what gets achieved in biodiversity conservation?

For our next Bridging Minds webinar, we dive into the heart of power, how we define it, how it shapes interactions, decisions, and outcomes in participatory processes. Power isn’t just about authority; it’s embedded in relationships, norms, and systems, often operating invisibly yet profoundly affecting collaboration and conservation efforts.

In this session, we’ll explore:

*   **The Arenas of Power:** From visible decision-making to hidden agendas and invisible biases, discover where and how power operates in participatory spaces.
*   **Expressions of Power:** Learn how "power to," "power with," "power within," and "power for" manifest in real-world scenarios, and how they can be harnessed for transformative change.
*   **Spaces of Power:** Understand the difference between closed, invited, and claimed spaces, and how each can either reinforce or challenge existing power structures.

**Why does this matter for biodiversity conservation?** Power dynamics can make or break participatory processes. When unaddressed, they lead to exclusion, resistance, and ineffective outcomes. But when leveraged thoughtfully, they can foster collaboration, equity, and meaningful impact.

**A practical example:** Through a case study from the PowerBiodiv project, we’ll illustrate how recognizing and addressing power dynamics can lead to more effective and equitable conservation outcomes.

**Register now** to transform how you understand and navigate power in participatory processes.

*   \*\*Final webinar - January: \*\**The Art of Managing a Meeting* :*Master practical techniques to facilitate inclusive, productive, and impactful discussions across diverse stakeholders. With Jo Claeys.*


Understanding power dynamics: how to leverage them in participatory processes

**How do social structures shape the way we think—and act?** For the third episode of *Bridging Minds*, we shift our focus to the **sociological dimensions** that frame every concept humans interact with. Knowledge isn’t just constructed individually—it’s shaped by culture, community, and context. From professional cultures to network dynamics, these frameworks act as invisible scripts, guiding how we understand the world, each other, and ourselves.

In this session, we’ll explore:

*   **Culture creation and group dynamics:** How collectives create their own culture and what effect this has on potential outcome of our actions; how they can both enable and hinder collaboration.

**Why does this matter for science-policy interfaces?** Because misunderstandings often stem from unrecognized differences in **socially constructed knowledge**. When these gaps go unaddressed, they lead to friction, miscommunication, and missed opportunities for meaningful collaboration.

*   How to **transcend group frontiers and work at the interface **to achieve the change needed. Translation, reflexivity, learning, emotions. All eyes on the process!
*   A practical example through the LIFE Natur’Adapt.

**Join us to learn how to bridge the gaps between diverse stakeholders.** 

Register now to transform how you navigate the social dimensions of science-policy interactions.

*   **Webinar 4- 18th of december:** *Power shaping interactions: What to keep an eye out for?* *Uncover the hidden power dynamics that define collaborations—and learn how to navigate them effectively.*
*   **Webinar 5:** *The Art of Managing a Meeting* *Master practical techniques to facilitate inclusive, productive, and impactful discussions across diverse stakeholders.*


How do people think and why it matters? Sociology elements.

Dive into the cognitive biases and psychological factors that shape decision-making at the science-policy interface.

**Why do people make the decisions they do?** Join us for the second episode of *Bridging Minds*—a deep dive into the psychological underpinnings of decision-making at the science-policy interface. While facts and data are often seen as the cornerstones of rational choice, the reality is far more complex. Human cognition is shaped by a web of perceptions, attitudes, values, beliefs, worldviews, and social norms—none of which exist in isolation.

In this session, we’ll unpack the **cognitive hierarchy** that drives human behavior:

*   **Values:** The deep-seated principles that organize our world, yet remain the hardest to evaluate.
*   **Beliefs:** Subsets of knowledge, shaped by available information and relationships.
*   **Worldviews:** The lenses through which we interpret reality, composed of identities, motivations, and meanings.

We’ll also explore the **interdependencies** between attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors—how they create cognitive dissonance, influence decision-making, and challenge the myth of the *homo economicus*. From the **Theory of Reasoned Action** to **Choice Architecture**, we’ll examine how conscious and unconscious factors shape the choices we make.

**Why does this matter for science-policy interfaces?** Because people are not blank slates waiting to be filled with facts. Misunderstandings arise when we assume otherwise, leading to **"multiple ignorance"**—where differing cognitive frameworks go unrecognized, and collaboration stalls.

**Don’t miss this opportunity to rethink how you engage with stakeholders.** Register now to uncover the psychological layers beneath decision-making—and learn how to navigate them effectively.

*   **Webinar 3:** *How do people think and why it matters? Sociology elements.* *Explore the social structures and cultural dynamics that influence how knowledge is shared and received. 11th of december*
*   **Webinar 4:** *Power shaping interactions: What to keep an eye out for?* *Uncover the hidden power dynamics that define collaborations—and learn how to navigate them effectively. 17th of decemner*
*   **Webinar 5:** *The Art of Managing a Meeting* *Master practical techniques to facilitate inclusive, productive, and impactful discussions across diverse stakeholders. 15th of january*


How do people think and why it matters? Psychology elements

Are biodiversity science-policy-society interfaces (SPSIs) really as straightforward as they seem? Join us for the **first episode** of *Bridging Minds*—a series of five webinars designed to equip professionals working at the intersection of biodiversity science, policy, and society in Europe.

In this opening session, we’ll challenge the traditional, linear view of SPSIs and explore why it falls short. While existing training resources focus on improving communication between scientists and policymakers, we’ll dive deeper—examining the **cognitive, socio-psychological, and power dynamics** that shape these interactions in practice.

Discover:

*   How scientists and policymakers truly perceive each other—and why these perceptions matter.
*   The realities of policymaking: beyond evidence-based ideals.
*   Why "messy" social contexts demand adaptive strategies for effective SPSIs.

Drawing from social science literature, emerging insights, and real-world experiences, this webinar will redefine how you approach and facilitate these critical interfaces.

**Don’t miss out—register now to bridge the gap between theory and practice!**

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\*\*﻿Join us for the full *Bridging Minds* series—where each session builds on the last to transform how you navigate biodiversity SPSIs.\*\*

*   **Webinar 2:** *How do people think and why it matters? Psychology elements.* *Dive into the cognitive biases and psychological factors that shape decision-making at the science-policy interface.*
*   **Webinar 3:** *How do people think and why it matters? Sociology elements.* *Explore the social structures and cultural dynamics that influence how knowledge is shared and received.*
*   **Webinar 4:** *Power shaping interactions: What to keep an eye out for?* *Uncover the hidden power dynamics that define collaborations—and learn how to navigate them effectively.*
*   **Webinar 5:** *The Art of Managing a Meeting* *Master practical techniques to facilitate inclusive, productive, and impactful discussions across diverse stakeholders.*


The art of managing a meeting

Understanding power dynamics: how to leverage them in participatory processes

How do people think and why it matters? Sociology elements.

How do people think and why it matters? Psychology elements

Getting from knowledge to policy and back