Report on the First KIN Crutzen Workshop is Live: An (Academic) Reflection on the Crutzen Workshop

Why are we publishing the Report on the First KIN Crutzen Workshop?

In the fall of 2023, the inaugural Crutzen Workshop took place. This post provides more details on the workshop, including a save-the-date download, and this blog shares the participants’ experiences. In essence, it was three valuable days that generated a lot of energy for the participants and for us. Many valuable insights emerged from this workshop, and we want to share them with the outside world. This is the Report on the First KIN Crutzen Workshop: a comprehensive document containing transcripts of discussions and action plans, complemented by a reflective essay. The Conference Proceedings were downloadable shortly after the workshop. The significant addition now is the integration of the Rathenau report and the reflective essay.

This document provides guidance for the participants and offers a good overview of how the Crutzen Workshop unfolded and will continue in the future. The workshop in the fall was a pilot of what a Crutzen Workshop could look like, part of a testing phase. Therefore, this document is relevant for those interested in participating in the future.

What is the Rathenau Institute?

The Rathenau Institute was present during the Crutzen Workshop to conduct an analysis. The Rathenau Institute engages in research and debate on the impact of science, technology, and innovation on society. With climate, health, and knowledge for transitions as three of the five themes, this collaboration was tailor-made.

What Have We Taken Away from the Rathenau Report?

After the workshop, we received an internal report with observations, an in-depth analysis, and concluding remarks and recommendations. This has now been transformed into a public version. The report also shares more about how the workshop came about, the choice of open space technology, and the main question.

An example of a recommendation we will act on is the clear prioritization of objectives. From the KIN’s perspective, the idea was that the workshop would lead to a work package and serve as a prelude. However, the interviews conducted by the Rathenau Institute revealed that participants considered topics like financing less important; they found networking and collaborations more crucial. A lesson we take from this for future workshops is to provide more clarity on this from the outset.

Read the Report on the First KIN Crutzen Workshop

Containing an introductory essay, reflection on the Rathenau report, and transcripts of discussions + action plans.

Read the Rathenau Report

Including the background, explanation of methodology/technology, question/method, observations, analysis of the role of power in the workshop, and conclusions.

NB: Conversations during the workshop are published alternately in Dutch and English. We have kept the transcripts in the language of creation by the participants and have not translated them. However, our own communication (essay, reflection, and Rathenau report) is in Dutch. A translation of this is available upon request.