Project events

Exploring Wicked Problems: Responsible Citizenship and Global Awareness Special Exhibition

19 -23 Feb 2018 - Gallery Space, Chancellors Building

This exhibition, brought to you by the Listening Project and Green Keele, has been created to coincide with the NUS’ SDG Teach-In initiative. We invite all students and staff to explore the themes and challenges the exhibition focuses on, all of which represent one or more of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

This interactive exhibition invites you to investigate and talk about some of the most challenging problems facing humanity; problems which are highly relevant to everyone, and our future wellbeing. Activities will include visual and interactive representations of the SDGs, a pledge screen, 'postcards from home', and the winning SDG photographs will be on display. Academic staff can also pledge to include the SDGs in teaching during this week.

The issues relating to the Sustainable Development Goals are often referred to as 'wicked problems' due to being interconnected social or cultural issues that are extremely difficult to solve. They require understanding, collaboration and cooperation from many stakeholders and disciplines to develop actions as part of workable solutions. This exhibition aims to highlight the diverse issues represented by the SDGs whilst providing a positive space for individuals to connect with the goals, and discovering the actions they can take to be part of creating solutions.

The NUS (and Higher Education bodies such as the QAA) recognise the importance of putting sustainability at the heart of higher education because such knowledge will be critical in the future; for decision making at all levels, all business activity and within higher education and research. Developing an understanding of the problems, and the need for development which is sustainable both environmentally and socially, is part of becoming an educated, responsible and global citizen.

Our project dissemination workshop was offered in 3 locations during the spring 2018: Keele University 19 March, London South Bank University 18 April, Edinburgh University 23 April.

Blog post: Our dissemination events listening, sharing and learning  the blog tag 'Dissemination' identifies other related posts.

Learning through Listening: Creating open spaces for interdisciplinary dialogue

This one-day workshop explores pedagogies of listening and one-to-one communication, and the urgent need for the development of listening skills and the creation of spaces and environments for interdisciplinary and inter-cultural dialogue within higher education, in order to work toward a more sustainable society and future. The workshop draws on the resources and experiences of a HEFCE Catalyst funded teaching innovation project ‘Unmaking Single Perspectives: a Listening Project’ at Keele University.

We can find many examples which demonstrate our lack of willingness to listen to others with different perspectives to our own, but also examples of when listening has led to the avoidance of conflict and to greater understanding. Achieving a more sustainable and just society requires us to hear the voices of those with perspectives different to ourselves, and to work effectively in new partnerships, as reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Yet, in the majority of disciplines in higher education, there is an implicit assumption that ‘communication skills’ means speaking, with a focus on developing skills in presenting to large audiences, or debating and ‘winning’ arguments. Other than within professional practice courses there is rarely much acknowledgement of the need for the development of skills relating to one-to-one communication and understanding of others’ perspectives, despite the crucial role this plays in our personal and professional lives.

This immersive workshop will be of interest to anyone interested in the pedagogies of listening and communication, interdisciplinarity and education for sustainable development. The workshop will explore the creation of spaces and environments for listening within higher or further education and the application of these approaches to an education system tailored to supporting a more sustainable future; and it will introduce resources, activities and techniques conducive to open dialogue and active listening among students from different disciplines that can be adapted to your own context and practice.

PROGRAMME

19 March - Keele Hall, Salvin Room 10-4pm
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18 April - London South Bank University 10-4pm - 2 places have become available for tomorrow!
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23 April  – Edinburgh University 10-4pm
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To book your place at any of the three events, complete the Google Form

Listening For Sustainability
20 June 2018
4pm - 5pm
Chancellors Building, Keele University
Developing understanding, partnerships and collaboration

Listen More
31 May 2018
2pm - 4pm
Keele University
How good a listener are you? We challenge you to find out and explore how you can become a better listener and why this will be really useful in all areas of your life.

Communicating 1:1 with Confidence Part 2
22 February 2018
2 - 3.30
59 The Covert: Room Two
Part of the Essential Skills for Researcher workshops offered by LPDC this is part two of Communicating 1:1 with Confidence, building on the first session you will have the opportunity to ask questions, practice and develop your speaking and listening skills further.

Communicating 1:1 with Confidence Part 1
15 January 2018
2-4.30pm
59 The Covert,: Room Two
Part of the Essential Skills for Researcher workshops offered by LPDC this is part one of Communicating 1:1 with Confidence. This workshop aims to improve spoken communications in 1:1 and small group situations, useful for developing your research and networking skills.

Exploring Sustainable Development Issues Through Open Dialogue - 7 Dec 2017
07 December 2017
2-4pm
Claus Moser Building, Keele University
Open to all staff and students at Keele University this workshop aims to develop useful and transferable interpersonal communication skills (effective dialogue and active listening) and use these skills to discover and explore, different perspectives to some of the key challenges facing society today.

Grand Challenge Conversations - 22nd November 2017
22 November 2017
4.00 - 8.00pm
Keele Hall - Old Library
This interactive workshop, linked to Professor Kate Pickett's lecture, aims to build confidence and ability in one-to-one communications, a valuable life skill for learning, research, and professional practice and is suitable for all postgraduates of all disciplines.

Grand Challenge Conversations - 1st November 2017
01 November 2017
4.00 - 8.00pm
Keele Hall - The Elizabeth Room
This interactive workshop, linked to Professor Andrew Stirling's lecture, aims to build confidence and ability in one-to-one communications, a valuable life skill for learning, research, and professional practice and is suitable for undergraduates and postgraduates of all disciplines.