Innovation · Format · SMP
Sciencemeetspolitics.
A designed encounter between researchers and politicians, in public. Researchers present evidence still in progress, a panel questions the politicians, and the audience questions both. Designed and piloted in Kenya in 2022, then run in the DR Congo and Rwanda, broadcast live on national television to more than 15,000 viewers.
The pilot · Kenya · 2022
One evening,two parts.
About two and a half hours, broadcast live on national television. The evening opened on the latest IPCC report, a common starting point for researchers, politicians and the public.
- Part oneThree researchers speak for about thirteen minutes each, introduced by a host. Then the public asks its questions.
- Part twoA panel of ten, the moderator included, puts questions to the politicians. Then the public asks again.
- InterludesComedians carry the breaks between the parts.
- AudienceMore than 15,000 viewers.
- AfterwardsThe format went on to the DR Congo and Rwanda, each time broadcast live on national television.
Why a stage
Knowledge,in both directions.
The format was built to show and transfer scientific knowledge to the public and to political parties ahead of Kenya’s 2022 elections.
It runs the other way too: party members watch researchers at work, to learn how scientists reason. SMP belongs to Inkoation’s approach of embodied–experiential translation, in which evidence becomes something people go through, not only something they read.
Commissioned as a package
Your question,on stage.
For foundations, political parties, universities and research consortia.
- DesignThe question, the evidence in progress, the researchers and the panel.
- EncounterAn evening or a one-day conference, moderated and broadcast live.
- ProtocolA written implementation protocol, so the format can be run again.