Turning Round the House: Empowering Inclusive and Collaborative Decision-Making
Turning Round the House -Empowering Inclusive and Collaborative Decision-Making
Turning Round the House: Empowering Inclusive and Collaborative Decision-Making
Effective decision-making begins by ensuring that every voice is heard. Turning Round the House, an open-access toolkit developed by researchers from the Netherlands Film Academy (NFA), the Academy for Theatre and Dance (ATD), and DAS Graduate School (all part of the Amsterdam University of the Arts), provides a practical solution for organisations prioritising inclusivity, transparency, and collaboration.
Origin of Turning Round the House
This toolkit was born from a genuine need for change within the Netherlands Film Academy. The Research Department (Lectoraat) faced the challenge that the existing infrastructure for research and publication no longer met the needs of researchers, lecturers, students, alumni, and partners. To address this, a specialised decision-making method was designed, which in turn became the foundation for a new practice-based research project.
This follow-up research, originally titled From Storing to Sharing (now: Turning Round the House), was again conducted by the Research Department (Lectoraat), this time in collaboration with the Research Department (Lectoraat) of the Academy of Theatre and Dance and DAS Graduate School, both part of the Amsterdam University of the Arts. The researchers reviewed the original methodology, refined it, and tested it with various programmes and groups within the Academy of Theatre and Dance. The insights and experiences gained were subsequently consolidated into an online guide for inclusive decision-making: Turning Round the House.
Inclusive Decision-Making: A Democratic Approach
The toolkit empowers organisations to build inclusive ecosystems that give agency to everyone involved in their daily operations. By involving all concerned groups, it ensures that every voice is heard equally. This approach fosters democratic and inclusive organisations, allowing for the dialogue and collaboration to take centre stage.
Turning Round the House helps to identify shared priorities, enabling concrete, actionable, and widely supported decisions to be made. This methodology not only offers flexibility and clarity but also provides a unique opportunity to uncover underlying needs and foster understanding across the whole organisation.
The Process: From Brainstorming to Actionable Decisions
The process consists of three interactive sessions complemented by preparatory steps, and a full set of printable materials, and digital aids, all supported by a visually engaging and intuitive design. The goal is clear: to move from brainstorming sessions to actionable decisions that reflect the needs of all participants. Through a game-like collaborative script, it provides a structured yet adaptable process, making it suitable for organisations with unique characteristics. All you need is a moderator, engaged participants, and a welcoming space—the rest is provided.
Key Features
- Broad applicability: Suitable for any organisation seeking to balance diverse needs and perspectives in decision-making.
- Inclusive and egalitarian: Every voice carries equal weight.
- Practical and action-oriented: Goes beyond discussion to deliver actionable solutions.
- Interactive: Using a wide range of supporting materials and visual aids, it encourages active involvement of all participants.
- Flexible and open access: Freely available, customisable to specific needs, and widely accessible.
- Transparent and collaborative: Encourages dialogue and mutual understanding within any organisation.
Who Is It For?
Turning Round the House is designed for educational institutions, organisations within the creative sector, government bodies, and businesses. No matter the challenge, this toolkit provides a starting point for improving decision-making processes and fostering collaboration.
Open Access and Accessibility
A distinctive feature of this methodology is its open-access nature. This means the tool is not only widely accessible but can also be tailored to the organisation's specific needs. The methodology is packaged in a digital toolkit that guides organisations through three interactive sessions and preparatory steps.
Turning Round the House
a manual for the collective re-design of artistic research infrastructures
Printable Assets
Session 1
- Category Cards
- Collective Ideas Map
- Ideas Map
- User Stories Sheets
Session 2
- Concept Scales
- User Stories Category Scales
- User Stories Category Sheets
- User Stories Sheets
Session 3
- Spreadsheet
- Year
2024