Purpose

Experience how interdisciplinary collaborations require us to move between positions of  ‘being an expert’ and ‘being a beginner’

Description

In interdisciplinary collaborations, scholars constantly move between the position of ‘being an expert’ (in their field of expertise) and ‘being a beginner’ (in the field of expertise of others). These positions might not feel equally comfortable to everyone and they require different approaches and mindsets. Being able to step into the beginner’s role and consciously adopt a beginner’s mind, characterised by openness and curiosity, is key for effectively working across boundaries.

This activity aims, firstly, to make participants aware of this constant moving between positions and secondly, to allow participants to feel  the difference between these positions and how this influences their interaction with others.

Instructions

Individual (part one)

1. Hand out two sheets of paper to each participant. One sheet will represent the ‘expert’, the other sheet  will represent the ‘beginner’.  Ask participants to place the two sheets in front of them on the floor.
2. Invite participants to step on the sheet that represents ‘expert’. Invite them to close their eyes or soften their gaze  and to  imagine they stepped into their role of expert, into a field they are knowledgeable about. Give them some time to  experience how this feels in their body.
3. Then, ask participants to step onto the other sheet that represents ‘beginner’. Ask them to imagine they stepped into a field of expertise that they know little of, that they are a beginner in. Again, give participants time to experience how this feels in their body.

In duos (part two)

1. Now, invite participants to work in duos and experience meeting each other from these different positions.  Invite participants to explore expert – expert, expert – beginner and beginner – beginner.
2. Invite the duos to reflect on their experience, before harvesting in plenary.

Suggested questions for reflection

• What did you experience in your body, in  the role of expert and in the role of beginner?
• In which role did you feel most comfortable?
• What did you notice in yourself and the other  when
  • Being an expert and meeting the other as an expert?
  • Being an expert and meeting the other as  a beginner?
  • Being a beginner and meeting the other as expert?
  • Being a beginner and meeting the other as  a beginner?

Plenary (part three)

1. Invite participants to share their reflections on the activity.

Phase

At the start of a research collaboration, or at any moment in the process to invite reflections

Competences

Perspective-taking
Communication

Time

30 minutes

Group size

2 – 20 persons

Required materials

• Two sheets of paper per person  (possibly in two different colours) 
• A space where people can comfortably stand and work in pairs

Related tools

This exercise can be combined with Interplanetary Travel

Relevant resources

Expert and non-expert at the same time: knowledge integration processes and dynamics in interdisciplinary teamwork | Sustainability Science (springer.com)

Tips & experience

The role of beginner can invoke feelings of curiosity and wonder, but also of vulnerability and anxiety. The facilitator can guide the conversation by asking: when are you comfortable showing this vulnerability? How can we together create conditions that allow for vulnerability?