Scenarios as entry points for co-producing action-oriented knowledge

Workshop 5

In this workshop, we facilitate experiential learning about how scenarios can be used in
transdisciplinary research to elicit and connect different ways of thinking about and
relating to the future. As depictions of how the future could be, scenarios can provide an
entry point for exploring different values, interests, and beliefs – those represented in
the scenarios, and those embodied by the participants who engage with, reflect on, and
critique the scenarios. They can also foster the co-production of systems and
transformation knowledge, leading to collaborative action. Our research focuses on
food systems and social organization. As such, we motivate this workshop with a set of
scenarios that explore power shifts in food systems (e.g., towards and away from
intensive, monoculture agriculture). We invite participants with diverse backgrounds to
join us in reflecting on these scenarios through the following questions: How would you
feel if you lived in a world described by this scenario? Does this scenario make sense to
you? How do you think this scenario could become reality? What could prevent this
scenario from becoming reality? The workshop provides an opportunity to learn about
and discuss scenario methods, food systems, and power relations, and to practice
skills such as relational and counterfactual thinking.