International Event on 20 November 2024, organized by the TD-Lab – Laboratory for Transdisciplinary Research of the Berlin University Alliance and the Office for Knowledge Exchange with Society at the Zentrum für Kulturtechnik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

International Impulses for Knowledge Exchange

How can we articulate the impact of research with society and what does meaningful public engagement in the humanities look like? These questions were at the heart of the international event “Researching with Society – International Perspectives”, where more than 50 researchers, non-academic stakeholder and science managers came together in November at the Tieranatomisches Theater in Berlin.

The event emphasized the responsibility of university in dealing with major societal challenges of our time. Through interactive workshops and international perspectives, participants explored what it means for universities to take on a socially engaged role. Speakers and participants exemplified how knowledge exchange, participatory research, and social impact can be actively shaped—contributing to a more open, responsive, and socially engaged university.

Engaging the Humanities: Motivation, Structures, and Support

The workshop “What is Public Engagement with Research in the Humanities?”, led by Dr. Victoria McGuinness (Director of TORCH, University of Oxford), created space to explore why and how scholars in the humanities can engage with non-academic communities. The discussions highlighted not only the relevance of the humanities to current societal debates, but also the need for institutional support, sustainable structures, and motivation to build long-term connections with the public.

Telling the Story of Impact: A Practical Approach

In the workshop “Developing Compelling Impact Stories”, Dr. Pavel Ovseiko (University of Oxford) introduce participants to the UK’s best practice in defining, capturing, communicating, and incentivising research with impact on society, culture, and the economy. The workshop guided participants through concrete strategies for identifying and articulating the societal impact of their research. Through practical exercises, attendees developed their own impact narratives—an increasingly important skill to ensure research resonates beyond academic boundaries and fosters trust and transparency in science communication.

International Exchange and a Clear Message

At the subsequent reception, participants from the University of Oxford and the Berlin University Alliance further exchanged ideas and approaches to knowledge exchange. In her keynote, Dr. McGuinness emphasized the shifting role of universities—from static institutions of learning to dynamic platforms for civic dialogue. Every researcher, she noted, can serve as a “doorway to the university”, connecting academic knowledge with real-world challenges and communities.