Abstract Summary
Polarisation seems an increasingly hot topic and it can appear that people are divided like never before. Some people are losing faith in science ('It's just an opinion'), scientific reports are used for cause building or individual scientists take different roles in societal debates. But while polarisation seems undesirable, it is very natural and part of a healthy democracy. However, when situations escalate and the gaps get too big, this can change and can even become dangerous. Understanding more of the underlying dynamics can help. In this 90 min. training we explore how to recognise the different roles in polarisation and how to navigate between them. Learn more about this thought construction and of possible ways to depolarise – if that's your aim. This is a collaboration of Wageningen University & Research and polarisation expert Bart Brandsma. Trainers: Inge Wallage, Corporate Director Communications and Marketing - and - Laura Witlox, Senior Communications Advisor, and program maker/trainer at Wageningen University & Research