Safe Spaces in Unsafe Environments—Experiences from COP26 About Hosting Inclusive Spaces for Deep Encounters and Reflection

Transdisciplinary research (TDR) seeks to involve non-academic perspectives from the start, ensuring that research draws on diverse knowledge to better address “wicked” problems. Since TDR researchers have to engage with non-academic perspectives throughout the research process, this chapter focuses on the kind of communication practices that are appropriate and effective for engaging with people from potentially very different backgrounds. Based on work aspiring to organize inclusive spaces for deep encounters and reflection at COP26 (Conference of the Parties, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2026), this chapter explores effective communication practices for engaging with people from various backgrounds in TDR, taking into account the fact that generally speaking TDR takes place in non-ideal circumstances. It provides recommendations on how to design and host inclusive, ‘safe enough’ spaces.