PAAR-Net Cost Action 22167

Training School on Knowledge Synthesis

September 4th-6th, 2024
Frankfurt (Germany)

Training School on Knowledge Synthesis

We are pleased to announce the first PAARnet Training School for Young Researchers and Innovators, which will take place from September 4 – 6, 2024 at Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany.


The topic of our Training School is Knowledge Synthesis. In an era characterized by an overwhelming influx of information, the ability to synthesize knowledge effectively is not only valuable but crucial for informed decision-making and innovative research. Knowledge synthesis involves the comprehensive aggregation, evaluation, and integration of findings from multiple studies and disciplines to generate coherent insights and actionable conclusions. Hence, knowledge synthesis – as, for example, in literature reviews – is crucial for all researchers, and particularly for the beginning of the scientific career, when our overview of a field is still developing.


However, from a Participatory Approaches perspective, we may also take a step back and ask: What is knowledge? Which knowledge, whose knowledge do we consider when we synthesize and summarize the state-of-the-art? Which knowledge is hegemonic, which is marginalized? And how can we make invisibilized knowledges visible, while still being aware of the implicit norms and rules of academia?


COST-Action Participatory Approaches with Older Adults
This Training School is part of the COST Action PAARNet which aims to further develop participatory approaches with older adults as a means of driving inclusive social innovation across research, policy, and practice, for heterogenous and fair ageing societies.

PAAR-net aims to gather, exchange and advance knowledge on participatory approaches with older adults (including those at risk of social exclusion) by asking the following questions:

  1. How can diverse groups of older adults be meaningfully involved to contribute their perspectives and experience (including those at risk of social exclusion) in participatory approaches to research, policy and practice development?
  2. How do participatory approaches with diverse older adults (including those at risk of social exclusion) impact research process and the quality of data gathered?
  3. How do participatory approaches impact those (academics and non-academics) involved in research (e.g., wellbeing, reciprocal learning, emancipation)?

Aims of the Training School

In our first PAARNet Training School, an intensive program designed to equip Young Researchers and Innovators with the essential skills and methodologies for questioning and synthesizing diverse sources of knowledge awaits you. Through a blend of theoretical instruction and practical workshops, attendees will gain hands-on experience in conducting knowledge syntheses, utilizing cutting-edge tools and techniques, and addressing common challenges such as heterogeneity, bias, and reflexivity. We look forward to your active participation and to the valuable contributions you will bring to the discourse on knowledge synthesis.

Provisional Programme

Day 1: Wednesday, 04.09.2024

09:30 – 11:00 Slot I – Introduction, Agenda, Warm-up
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 13:30 Slot II – Keynote on Situated Knowledges (tba)
13:30 – 14:15 Lunch Break
14:15 – 15:45 Slot III – Workshop on Situated Knowledges Part 1 by Charles Waldegrave
15:45 – 16:15 Coffee Break
16:15 – 18:15 Slot IV – Workshop on Situated Knowledges Part by Heidi Kaspar
19:00 Joint Dinner & Drinks Training School Participants

Day 2: Thursday, 05.09.2024
09:30 – 11:00 Slot V – Recap Day 1 & Introduction to Scoping Reviews by Rodrigo Serrat
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 13:30 Slot VI – Introduction to Integrative Reviews by Janina Ewert
13:30 – 14:15 Lunch Break
14:15 – 15:45 possibility to join WG Meetings (or afternoon off)
15:45 – 16:15 Coffee Break
16:15 – 17:45 YRI Forum
19:30 Joint Dinner with all PAAR-Net Members

Day 3: Friday, 06.09.2024
09:00 – 13:00 Slot VII – Hands-On Workshop on Literature Reviews with MaxQDA by Martin Schastak
13:00 – 13:15 Official Ending & Wrap-Up

Who can apply?

  • Training Schools are mainly aimed at PhD students or post-doctoral researchers, employed by or officially affiliated to an institution or legal entity (public or private, as Home Institution); 
  • In accordance with COST strategy, PAAR-net supports Young Researchers and Innovators (YRI, under the age of 40) affiliated in a legal entity in Inclusiveness Target Countries/ Near Neighbour Countries (ITC/NNC). Nevertheless, more senior academics, researchers and policy-makers may also apply. Priority will be given to YRIs. See the COST Annotated Rules for details: https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2023/11/COST-094-21-Annotated-Rules-for-COST-Actions-Level-C-V1.4-Final-.pdf 

Eligibility for financial support: 

  1. Trainees from COST member countries; 
  2. Trainees from approved NNC (near neighbour countries) institutions; 
  3. Trainees from approved European RTD Organisations. 

Aims of the Training School

In our first PAARNet Training School, an intensive program designed to equip Young Researchers and Innovators with the essential skills and methodologies for questioning and synthesizing diverse sources of knowledge awaits you. Through a blend of theoretical instruction and practical workshops, attendees will gain hands-on experience in conducting knowledge syntheses, utilizing cutting-edge tools and techniques, and addressing common challenges such as heterogeneity, bias, and reflexivity. We look forward to your active participation and to the valuable contributions you will bring to the discourse on knowledge synthesis.

Financial support for trainees 

Successful applicants may be eligible to apply for financial support through the COST Action. There are 20 grants available for trainees. Grants will be awarded according to COST Annotated Rules, not exceeding 1200 Euros per person. This amount includes travel reimbursement and a daily allowance for maximum four days. 

Please note that trainee grants do not necessarily cover all expenses related to attending the Training School. The Trainee Grant is a contribution to the overall travel, accommodation and meal expenses of the Grantee. 

Trainees who are self-funded are also welcome to apply to attend the Training School. Prior to the Training School, all Trainees must register on e-COST. 

Language skills 

Unless otherwise indicated, all the modules will take place in English. The ability to speak, read and write fluently in this language is a requirement for participation. 

How to apply 

You are kindly invited to complete the following application form and to provide the requested documents and arguments in favour of your application. Participation in all COST Training schools is subject to a selective application process. Selection is based on those applications that most clearly correspond to the overall objectives of COST Action CA22167 and to the content of this Training School. 

Submission Deadline:

28.06.2024 (midnight GMT). Please complete the application form below. 

Application Form
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Notification of the results will be sent by 10.07.20274. 

Successful applicants will receive information on workshop details and local arrangements including accommodation. 

Please get in touch with STSM Coordinator for your questions.

STSM Grant Coordinator

Gražina Rapolienė, Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences,
Email: [email protected]. 

Action Vice-Chair (local organizer) 

Dr. Anna Wanka, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main,
Email: [email protected]. 

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Cost

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Our Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation.

COST Action CA22167

There is a significant international commitment to give non-academics a greater role in science to help deliver impactful research and realise the European vision of science for the people, by the people. To support this commitment, the PAAR-net COST Action focuses on knowledge co-production, labelled here as participatory approaches, in research, policymaking and practice. 

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