From Ideas to Action: A Collaborative Space to Develop Participatory Research Project (2nd edition)

Looking to integrate participatory research into your project(s) but unsure where to start? We are excited to invite early-career, mid-career, and senior researchers from CIVIS universities to apply for the Staff Training Week "From Ideas to Action: A Collaborative Space to Develop Participatory Research Project". 

Taking place this time at the Université libre de Bruxelles (Belgium) from April 7 to 10, 2026, the event is co-organised by the University of Lausanne, Université libre de Bruxelles and the University of Glasgow.

Main topics addressed

The goal of this week-long programme is to help participants gain a comprehensive understanding of participatory research, what it entails, and how to implement it effectively.

Throughout the week, attendees will follow a combination of theoretical courses and hands-on coaching sessions, interactive sessions, aimed at refining their project ideas. By the end of the programme, participants will have outlined a clear framework for implementing participatory research in their work.

In addition to these interactive sessions, participants will have the opportunity to attend presentations from participatory research projects, providing concrete examples of how such approaches can be applied in diverse contexts.

Key Benefits

• Project Development: participants will work collaboratively to develop and refine their own project ideas or furthers using participatory research methods;
• Expert Guidance: the programme includes sessions with leading experts in the field, offering insights into the diversity of participatory research projects and practices;
• Networking Opportunities: a key feature of this week-long program is fostering connections between participants, enabling collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the possibility of future partnerships.

This training offers a unique opportunity to advance your understanding of participatory research and to acquire transversal skills while building a strong network of peers and experts across the CIVIS community.

By participating in this training, attendees will:

• grasp the principles and challenges of participatory researches;
• learn best practices for engaging stakeholders in research projects;
• develop ethical and inclusive strategies for stakeholder involvement;
• gain hands-on experience using tools for collaboration between researchers and stakeholders;
• understand the external factors shaping participatory research landscapes.

Existing project or a project idea in which partcipants want to intergrate participatory research