R&D Unplugged

Tackling complex challenges—whether in healthcare, education, or climate change—demands breaking down disciplinary silos and actively collaborating with diverse stakeholders. Traditional approaches often fall short, making it crucial to adopt longitudinal, process-driven methods.

This episode dives into how action-based research and co-design methodologies can deepen our understanding of complex problems and drive meaningful change. Through real-world, multi-year collaborative projects—including partnerships with the WHO on health guideline design, studies on managing online communities to advance cancer epidemiology, and challenge-based learning initiatives—we explore how to effectively bridge research and practice in dynamic, interdisciplinary settings.

In this episode, we welcome Seth Frey to explore how participating in small-scale democracies can shape better citizens for large-scale ones. The internet, with its countless online communities, serves as a modern laboratory for self-governance. But how do these groups unite limited resources around shared goals? Together, we examine three major platforms hosting self-governing communities and tackle key questions: What makes small-scale democracies thrive? How do they manage resources and maintain order? And what lessons can they offer for governing both online spaces and the world beyond? Tune in to discover the future of community-driven governance in the digital age!

In an era of climate instability, social fragmentation, and deep uncertainty, fostering collective intelligence is more crucial than ever. But how do we create the conditions for meaningful collaboration? In this episode, Marc Santolini explores the relational dynamics that enable sensemaking and coordination for systemic change. From psychological safety and deep listening to AI-driven network analysis, we discuss emerging frameworks that blend wisdom traditions with participatory methodologies to support collective flourishing. How can we shift from outcome-driven approaches to process-aware collaboration? Tune in to discover new insights at the intersection of science, technology, and human connection.

How do educators' views on knowledge, science, and values shape the way they teach? In this episode, we welcome Maria Angelica Mejia Caceres to explore how these perspectives influence educational practices—affecting not just what is taught, but how it is received. We discuss the impact of language, emotions, and underlying beliefs in the classroom, questioning the limitations of a purely scientific approach. Can optimism or pessimism about social change shape student engagement? Join us as we uncover how recognizing these influences can transform education into a dynamic force for critical thinking and social change.

In scientific crowdsourcing and citizen science, a striking pattern often emerges: a very small group of participants contributes the majority of the data. This phenomenon, known as participation inequality or the 90-9-1 rule, is evident in platforms like Google Local Guides, Wikipedia, iNaturalist, and OpenStreetMap.

In this episode, we dicuss this topic with Muki Haklay, a renowned expert in citizen science and crowdsourcing. Together, we explore why the 90-9-1 rule plays a pivotal role in projects that rely on crowd participation. What drives this pattern, and should we strive to change it? Tune in as we unpack these questions and consider the implications of participation inequality in collaborative initiatives.