What is Project PARTICIPATE?

Project PARTICIPATE is an innovative network focused on bridging the gap between academic research and the public. Its main objective is to create a strong collaborative environment where researchers, local organizations, and communities come together to promote knowledge sharing and community-based problem solving. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), Project PARTICIPATE works with early-stage researchers to help them develop vital skills, particularly in the areas of research dissemination, community engagement, and policy communication.

The project provides training programs and workshops to equip doctoral candidates with the tools necessary to share their research effectively with non-academic audiences, ensuring that their findings benefit local communities. This collaborative approach allows the research to create real-world impact and helps address pressing societal challenges. The project’s most recent event was a training session held in Athens, offering key insights on the importance of research dissemination, among other topics.

Key Lessons on Research Dissemination from the Athens Training Event

From the 23rd to the 25th of September, the PARTICIPATE network gathered at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, bringing together doctoral candidates, their supervisors, and experienced professionals for a comprehensive training session. International Parents Alliance was on the ground too. The event focused heavily on research dissemination, giving young researchers practical tools and strategies for reaching out to the public and sharing their findings in accessible ways.

The training began with a two-day session led by Professor Liza Tsaliki and Dr. Despina Chronaki, where participants explored how qualitative research methods can be better communicated to non-academic audiences. One of the primary takeaways was the importance of understanding how a researcher’s epistemological stance impacts the way they present their findings. Both Prof. Tsaliki and Dr. Chronaki emphasized that researchers must be mindful of their approach to ensure that their work reaches the right audiences, particularly knowledge holders and community organizations.

In addition to the theoretical aspects, the trainers shared personal stories of overcoming the challenges of engaging with communities. They offered practical advice on working with NGOs to help bridge the gap between academia and real-world issues. Volunteers from SCI-Hellas, a local branch of an international organization dedicated to community-driven change, provided further insights on how local collaborations can enhance the impact of research dissemination.

An essential component of the event was learning from local media professionals. Journalists from an online newspaper and radio station shared their experiences in integrating academic research into mainstream news coverage. This session offered researchers valuable tips on how to present their findings in a way that is compelling and understandable for the general public. By learning how to adapt complex academic work into more digestible formats, participants gained a better understanding of how to disseminate their research more effectively to a broader audience.

The event also featured presentations from two doctoral candidates from the host university, who showcased their research on bullying in Greece. Their findings highlighted the unique cultural and social dynamics that influence bullying behaviors in schools, providing a real-world example of how localized research can inform broader conversations on social issues. Their presentation underscored the importance of tailoring research dissemination strategies to the specific contexts in which the research is conducted.

One of the more interactive sessions was led by Kainaat Maqbool, who conducted a workshop using “zenies” created by young Afro-Greek participants in her research. The exercise demonstrated how cultural background influences individuals’ perceptions of research materials, sparking a lively discussion among the participants on the need to consider cultural differences in research dissemination strategies.

The event concluded with a discussion on how to communicate effectively with policymakers, led by Dr. Lila Mastora from ActionAid Hellas. This session reinforced the importance of translating academic research into actionable recommendations that can inform policy decisions, a critical step in ensuring that research has a tangible impact on society.

The Importance of Research Dissemination for Broader Impact

Research dissemination is a crucial aspect of the academic process, as it ensures that the knowledge generated within academic institutions reaches the public and informs real-world change. Project PARTICIPATE’s training event in Athens underscored the importance of this practice by equipping doctoral candidates with the skills needed to share their findings effectively. Whether through collaborations with local NGOs, interactions with the media, or engagement with policymakers, the event emphasized that successful research dissemination depends on the ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible and actionable manner.

By involving community-based organizations like SCI-Hellas and media professionals, the PARTICIPATE network demonstrates the value of multi-sectoral collaborations in enhancing research dissemination. The ability to reach diverse audiences, from local community members to international policymakers, ensures that research findings do not remain confined to academia but contribute to meaningful societal progress.

For young researchers, mastering the art of research dissemination is critical to ensuring their work has a broader impact. The event in Athens offered invaluable lessons on how to engage effectively with various stakeholders, adapting their communication strategies to different audiences. Whether you’re involved in academic research or interested in promoting the public good, learning how to share knowledge and research with the wider community is essential for making a lasting difference.

Wellbeing at School in the Digital Age

Wellbeing at School was the central theme of the eTwinning Annual Conference, held in Brussels on 26-28 September 2024. This conference marked a key moment for the Supportive Partners of the European School Education Platform to come together and discuss how we can better support school education within the European Union.

A major topic was how schools can adapt to the digital realities of today’s world. One significant message came from James O’Higgins Norman, UNESCO Chair on Tackling Bullying in Schools and Cyberspace. He emphasized that banning mobile phones in schools has no proven positive effects and could even harm students’ sense of respect and autonomy. Importantly, the lack of digital citizenship education in schools was also a critical issue highlighted during the event.

The Need for Digital Citizenship in Wellbeing at School

A crucial problem raised during the conference is the absence of real digital citizenship education in schools. Students often feel alienated by mobile phone bans, especially when teachers are not subjected to the same rules. While students are expected to refrain from using their phones, teachers freely use theirs, even for non-school-related activities. This inconsistency is perceived as unfair and uneducational. The solution, as discussed, lies in fostering collaboration among parents, teachers, and students to create balanced regulations and teach responsible smartphone usage. It is evident that wellbeing at school today must include addressing how students engage with digital tools and how schools can better prepare them for the digital realities they face daily.

Resilience and Rights in the Digital World

On the second day, the focus shifted to wellbeing online, and it was encouraging to see discussions moving towards building resilience rather than just limiting access to digital spaces. It was clear that protecting children from the online world is no longer a sufficient approach; instead, the emphasis must be on educating them to thrive within it. Interestingly, Parents International has been a vocal advocate against COPPA, the U.S. law that bans children under 13 from registering on social media.

With data showing that 97% of 10-12-year-olds spend significant time online, many parents are complicit in helping their children bypass these restrictions. The issue is not that children register early, but that they gain access to adult features when they turn 18—often at their most vulnerable age.

Collaborative Solutions for Wellbeing at School

The conference was not just about digital issues; it also offered valuable insights into parental engagement and how to foster collaboration between parents and teachers. The Supportive Partners of the European School Education Platform met for the first time in person, sharing ideas on how to enrich the platform’s content and how to foster bilateral and multilateral collaborations. During a workshop titled “Better Together,” a group of 43 teachers from across Europe discussed the challenges of engaging with parents.

Using models like Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model and the Ladder of Parental Engagement, participants devised solutions to improve communication and collaboration between parents and teachers, reinforcing that real engagement goes beyond primary school. Teachers shared that engaging parents at all school levels remains a challenge.

At the end of the workshop, International Parents Alliance introduced a range of tools to support teachers in fostering better relationships with parents. These tools included Parents Engage, Parent’R’Us, Future Memory, SAILS, DRONE, PARTICIPATE, Co-Map, and BioBeo projects, providing resources for both teachers and parents to work together in promoting wellbeing at school.