Knowledge Exchange for Slow Hope (KESH)

Knowledge Exchange for Slow Hope (KESH) brings together the projects funded by the HERA/CHANSE Joint Research Programme on "Crisis - Perspectives from the Humanities" and is led by Professor of History & Memory Studies Jenny Wustenberg (Nottingham Trent University) as Knowledge Exchange Facilitator (KEF). From January 2025 to June 2028, KESH will support communication and collaboration with stakeholders, provide training, and nurture strong cohort relationships to create foundations for future partnerships. Our KE strategy is premised on the principle of "Slow Hope" (Mauch 2019): while remaining clear-headed about the challenges faced, we argue that stories of hope are indispensable to any crisis response. We will make the case for the positive and creative potential of the humanities in the current moment through spotlighting excellence in research and engaging with key European and national policy forums. KESH will thus advocate for the humanities as a critical resource that requires sustained funding and support. KESH has three core objectives: First, to facilitate knowledge exchange across the cohort of funded projects, as well as with their stakeholders, to enhance and amplify the impact of research; second, to enable learning and skills development across all projects, particularly in the area of public engagement, development of scholars early their career and from Widening countries, and creative approaches to communicating about crises; third, to establish networks of collaboration and trust that will outlast the funding period. Sustainability emerges because the links made via KESH are valued in their own right: genuine connection will lead to meaningful impact in the long-term. These objectives will be achieved through three overlapping means. The first, comprehensive needs analysis and project mapping, will take place primarily during the first year. Through meetings with each Crisis team, the KEF will gain an understanding of research themes, training requirements and stakeholder engagement strategies, and will report on potential synergies and points of debate. Based on this initial assessment, the second mechanism offers bespoke training workshops delivered by external experts, the KESH team or Crisis project members. The third mechanism involves creating space and time to work together and build research relationships through "slow meetings". This approach was developed by Wustenberg in the Slow Memory COST Action and refers to a kind of "flipped" gathering, where thinking about joint challenges happens in often informal settings so that participants emerge energised rather than exhausted. The goal is that KESH does not increase participants' workload but nevertheless produces joint outcomes that amount to more than the sum of its parts. The Kick-Off and Closing Conferences, in December 2025 and December 2027 respectively, will be such "slow" meetings. KESH can draw on a wealth of experience in KE. Wustenberg is an internationally recognised memory studies scholar, political scientist and historian. She has an extraordinary track record of leading international scholarly and stakeholder networks, including as founding Co-President of the Memory Studies Association and Chair of the COST Action "Slow Memory." As KEF, she will be supported by Kelly Auty (Head of the Institute of Knowledge Exchange Practice at NTU, with over 20 years of experience in KE) and her team, a Research Associate, an administrative assistant, a podcaster, and a range of specialist trainers. Reference Mauch, Christof. 2019. Slow Hope. Rethinking Ecologies of Crisis and Fear. 2019/1, Transformations in Environment and Society. Rachel Carson Center.