A key feature of Session 3 was the expert panel discussion, where participants heard from
- Christine Wissink, Technical Director for Climate Resilience and Adaptation at WSP;
- Jacob Landers, Senior International Development Manager at the Met Office;
- Dr Richard Selby, Head of Portfolio for NTD Research at Sightsavers; and
- Prof. Iain Stewart, Geoscience Communication expert at the University of Plymouth.
The panel shared practical insights on how researchers can effectively engage with policy makers, especially those without a scientific background.
The lead trainers, Prof. Rosalind Cornforth and Dr Celia Petty, also introduced the concept of positionality and its influence on research engagement. Participants reflected on their own positionality, their experience of navigating power dynamics, and how this shapes relationships with stakeholders. A case study on the “Navigating the New Arctic” program illustrated the risks of overlooking local knowledge and the importance of equitable collaboration.
Participants continued developing their capstone impact plans, refining impact goals and stakeholder strategies. They also worked through practical scenarios, applying their learning to real-world challenges such as seasonal forecasting for farmers and culturally appropriate school feeding in refugee settings.
Stay tuned from another update on our next session on 25th June.