Now running again at the Photographers'
Gallery.
First talk is with Jonathan
Miller on Gaze.
As a model of democratic engagement
This is
a format that was developed by Duncan
Dallas in the UK and is based on
the French Café Philosophique tradition. It is a
non-hierarchical and
democratic formula for involving all participants in a scientific
discussion. It is held in a café or other informally seated
setting,
ideally outside an academic institution, often with an experience
facilitator. A speaker talks for 20 minutes or so and gives an outline
of her field and a couple of relevant questions, generally without
slides or visual aids. There is then a 10 minute break for informal
discussion and refilling of drinks. A discussion is started; typically
just under an hour, involving but not led by the speaker. It is not a
question and answer session, and the expert's voice does not dominate.
Paradoxically, it is often the silent presence of a professional which
legitimates and promotes an empowered discussion.
www.cafescientifique.org
I have been developing a video
conference model for the British Council, and did some ones in
Switzerland on climate
change as a kind of roadshow with Mark Lynas.
I set up the ICA
cafesci with Yvonne Fullwood and Rachel Cottam, and here
are the Cafes I chaired at the ICA: