Are you a researcher or educator passionate about connecting your work with societal needs and actors? Do you want to learn and experience how to integrate civic engagement into your work while building meaningful partnerships and enhancing your impact? This hands-on, interdisciplinary training is designed to equip you with the skills, tools, and mindset needed to turn your vision into action.
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for individuals from TU Delft, Leiden University, Erasmus University, and Erasmus MC who are:
- PhD candidates or PostDocs who have an idea to implement a civic engagement activities in their work, for example a research proposal, course or impact-project
- Educators seeking to incorporate civic engagement practices into their teaching.
That are:
- Open-minded and eager to work across disciplines and perspectives.
- Ready to embrace a hands-on, DIY approach to implementing civic engagement practices.
What You Will Learn
Through six interactive sessions, you will:
- Define Civic Engagement: Learn inclusive problem-definition techniques, co-creation methods, and how to balance academic goals with societal needs.
- Build relationships: Understand how to establish trusted, sustained, and sustainable collaborations with diverse stakeholders.
- Develop Communication Skills: Plan effective communication strategies tailored to various audiences.
- Navigate Resources and Reciprocity: Discover funding opportunities, navigate challenges, and embrace reciprocity to build sustainable and impactful civic engagement projects.
- Execute Projects Ethically: Reflect on power dynamics, ethics, responsible and open science.
- Share findings: Share your findings with both academic and societal audiences through creative and impactful formats.
What You’ll Gain
By participating in this training, you will:
- Receive coaching and mentorship to develop your project ideas.
- Access a network of experts and colleagues, diverse actors and potential partners.
- Learn practical methods to integrate civic engagement into your research or teaching.
- Become part of a growing community of civic-minded researchers and educators.
- Strengthen your abilities to secure skills, funding and resources for future initiatives.
Time Commitment
- Weekly Workshop: 4 hours per week.
- Preparation: max. 2 hours per week for reading and homework.
The training sessions will take place on the following afternoons (13.00-17.00):
- Wed 8 Apr at Stationshuis, Delft
- Wed 22 Apr at PLNT, Leiden
- Wed 6 May at TUD Library, Delft
- Wed 20 May at Pauluskerk, Rotterdam
- Wed 3 Jun at Tarwewijk, Rotterdam
- Wed 17 Jun at CLI EUR, Rotterdam
Expectations
We expect that participants will apply the acquired skills and knowledge within approximately 6 months after the completion of training through project implementation.
Eligibility and Requirements
To apply, you must:
- Have an idea for a civic engagement project.
- Be officially affiliated with Erasmus University, Erasmus MC, Leiden University, or TU Delft.
- Submit an email confirmation from your supervisor indicating your availability to attend all sessions and preparations.
- Commit to attending all sessions and completing the assigned tasks.
Application Process
We will select around 4 participants per institution to join this pilot program. Applicants will be chosen based on their motivation, alignment with the program's goals, and diversity. To apply:
- Prepare a short paragraph (max. 300 words) describing your project idea
- Obtain an email from your supervisor confirming your availability.
- Block the time for the training sessions in your calendar.
- Submit your application by using the application form available at the bottom of this webpage.
The deadline to submit your application is 30 January 2026.
Join us in redefining research and teaching through civic engagement. Together, we can create meaningful change!
Contact
For questions, contact: Chiara Stenico via chiara.stenico@eur.nl
