Reversed science café

The reversed science café (RSC) is a discussion event that focuses on the perception of the participants towards a certain topic. The dialogue is started by questions and statements put forward by experts and answered by the audience. These questions should be open-ended questions, intended to start a discussion, not to test the public's knowledge. Participants work together in small groups (max 8 people) to formulate recommendations or indicate societal needs. After a conversation about a first central question, the groups move on to the next table where the reporter/moderator briefly introduces the next question as well as the topics that were discussed during the first discussion. The group responds to this question and continues the dialogue, then moving on to the next table. After all tables are visited by all groups, the main outcomes of the RSC can be highlighted in a plenary session.

The main goal of the RSC should be to obtain recommendations. These are the result of the discussions and the most tangible outcomes of a RSC. Since the discussion topics are put forward by the experts, and are ideally linked to the experts' field of expertise, the recommendations should -at least indirectly- be an answer to their main questions. However, more general recommendations/concerns about the topic may also result from a RSC.

Head moderator

Host, presents the project and the experts, keeps an eye on the timing, takes the lead in the plenary parts of the program.

Group moderator

Ideally, the group moderator is different from the expert, in order to avoid any hesitation from the participants in stating their opinion. The group moderator can actively participate in the discussion, and is tasked with:

Introducing the participants and the expert to each other.
Keeping the discussion ongoing by asking additional questions, addressing people, ...
Ensuring an open discussion in a positive atmosphere, involving all participants.
Keeping an eye on the timing of the programme.

Experts

Experts are scientists, researchers, ... who have certain expertise on the topic. The number of experts that are needed depends on the number of groups and number of participants (usually counted on ~32 participants, 8 participants/group, 4 experts). Experts primarily put forward a question to their group. At a later timepoint during the RSC they also take part in the discussion, carefully ensuring not to dominate the discussion.

Participants

Participants are stakeholders such as farmers, patient representatives, medical doctors, etc. and are divided into 4 groups of up to 8 people (+ 1 group moderator + 1 expert (+1 reporter (to be appointed or predetermined)).