Purpose

Understand the disciplinary perspectives that team members bring along in a fun way

Description

Clear communication, without jargon, that is accessible to a broad audience is key for collaborating across disciplines or knowledge fields. Language confusion is a common trait in inter- and transdisciplinary collaborations, especially around concepts. Some words have a different meaning across different domains, some similar meanings know different words. A common mistake in ITD is the assumption that team members understand each other when they are communicating.

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place”

 – George Bernard Shaw

Introducing the alien, as a being that has zero basic knowledge of someone’s field of expertise, as an audience, invites speakers to use clear language to describe a key concept that is central to the collaboration. Having all team members do this gives understanding of what each member brings in terms of perspective, as well as an overall impression of which perspectives are represented in relation to the topic at hand.

This exercise is meant to be light, fun and not too lengthy. Bring a fun prop and keep it concise.

Instructions

Preparation: Choose a key concept that is central to the collaboration. Alternatively, you could ask the group to choose a concept as the first step of the exercise, but make sure it is quick.

1. Inform the group that an alien has travelled across the universe, just landed on earth and would like to understand the key concept.  
2. Introduce the prop and wear/hold it when you invite everyone to think of how they would explain the key concept to the alien from their disciplinary perspective (ID), or the perspective from their knowledge field (TD). 
3. Give the group 2 minutes to write down some keywords 
4. Invite group members to come forward, popcorn style, and explain the concept to the alien from their perspective in maximum 1,5 minute
5. Ask them to use the prompt when it is their turn
6. When every group member has spoken, invite some general reflections, no longer than three minutes in total.

Phase

Start of a collaboration and/or when new team members join at a later stage

Competences

Perspective-taking
Communication
Creativity

Time

Depends on group size: at minimum 15 minutes with 4 people, 2 minutes added per additional person

Group size

3 – 20 persons

Required space & materials

• Draw an alien on a flip chart or make a cardboard alien
• Make group sit in a circle facing the alien
• Bring a prop: an astronaut or alien hat, or another object ‘from space’

Relevant resources

This activity was introduced to CUCo by the Defeating Chronic Pain team

Tips & experience

Keep it fun, invite people to ‘perform’ and ‘speak to the alien’s reality’