Acteon

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.*


Getting from knowledge to policy and back

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

**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 **interpretative lenses** to **socio-cultural models**, these frameworks act as invisible scripts, guiding how we understand the world, each other, and ourselves.

In this session, we’ll explore:

*   **Social constructions as cognitive channels:** How personal constructs shape mental processes—and why we interpret information to fit our existing cognitive frameworks.
*   **Bounded rationality:** Why decisions are never purely "rational," but filtered through social roles, heuristics, and group dynamics.
*   **Group dynamics:** The power of **groupthink**, **group identity**, and **cohesiveness**—and how they can both enable and hinder collaboration.

We’ll also delve into **Frame Theory** and the **Homo Economicus model**, questioning the assumption that decisions are made solely on data. Instead, we’ll reveal how **Bayesian updating**—where new knowledge is attached to existing beliefs—creates a feedback loop between individual cognition and social context.

**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.

**Join us to decode the sociological layers of decision-making—and 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:** *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.*
