Process

Evaluating Megatons to Megawatts

Working Seminar Process

Program - Bios -  Methodology

Preamble

The 2025 CNDSI Working Seminar is the first of three occasions dedicated to the evaluation of the M2M program. The group is intentionally intergenerational and interdisciplinary. Some participants are protagonists and experts who know the whole process extremely well, while others are younger and much less informed researchers who are now defining goals and methodologies of the evaluation. This is why we expect and encourage a wide range of comments and questions.

Presentations

Rather than relying on brief soundbites or surface-level public exchanges, this format uses guided facilitation to support in-depth presentations (30–40 minutes or more) and ensure active participation from everyone involved.

Random Roster

At the beginning of the seminar, all participants but the speaker will be ordered randomly in a list that the facilitators will use to invite questions and comments. Each participant may pass the invitation to speak.

Two-finger comments

In keeping with academic tradition, each participant may interrupt, add to, comment on, or ask a question on any presentation by raising two fingers, signaling that their intervention is directly related to the point currently being discussed.

Note Taking 

Chatham House rules will be observed. There will be no remote access or video recording. However, the Working Seminar aims to structure the work of the next two years, and note-taking is essential. So, voice recording will occur in support of note-taking. 

Digital communication

It is understood that the attendees have many commitments and may need to read and respond to messages of all kinds. Participants are encouraged to step outside the room at any time to manage their digital communication.

Open Feedback

Each participant is invited to share any concerns or suggestions with all others, especially with the conveners.