In the first half of the training program we focused on training in the theoretical concepts and perspectives, notably solidarity in diversity, interculturalism, intersectionality and place- and practice-based approaches, and on training in methods and ethics, with a strong focus on working with diverse and vulnerable groups, doing place-based research and comparing across contexts. In the second half of the training program, we focused on learning how to translate the research insights and finding into strategic thinking and action. To that end we explored public pedagogy and policy learning and organizational changes as two important perspectives on how to make a difference in society through research. We applied these perspectives to selected research projects and involved stakeholders in joint discussions on the public pedagogies and policy learning processes at work in the cases. We also organized a training workshop in which we studied and visited hybrid institutions operating at the intersection of academic research on the one hand and civil society campaigning, public policy making and activism on the other hand. Most of the training workshops were co-organized with the researchers.
Parallel to the training workshops, the doctoral researchers developed their individual research projects, co-supervised by supervisors from different academic partner institutions. They also carried out non-academic and academic secondment. We organized three annual progress events in which doctoral researchers presented their research progress to their peers, supervisors and external advisors and received feedback from them.
We communicated our training activities and research insights to the academic community through our own website (www.solidi.eu). The doctoral researchers also developed a social media strategy to communicate to a broader non-academic audience (mainly through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) and made a series of 10 podcasts on the topic of solidarity in diversity. The doctoral researchers also received training to write policy briefs and wrote a customized policy brief on their research and findings. They all published at least one article in a publication directed at a professional or lay audience. Supervisors and doctoral researchers jointly reflected on their experiences with the training network and co-authored a handbook on lessons learned in organizing and attending doctoral training in solidarity in diversity research. The supervisors wrapped up the project by writing a white paper in which they bring together the main conclusions of the research projects and training activities with regard to solidarity in diversity.
