Exploring Openness through play at the Open Science Festival

I was excited to present UnExpected Values: The Open Future at the Open Science Festival Groningen on October 24th. The workshop, titled “Playing with Openness” introduced 18 participants from educational institutions across the Netherlands to the game's approach for exploring complex topics.

Due to time contractions, we focused specifically on using the game's dilemma cards as a discussion tool, setting aside the full board game mechanics. Participants engaged directly with scenarios that mirrored real-world tensions in implementing Open Pedagogy, debating the trade-offs between open collaboration and traditional academic rewards.

The format proved effective at generating meaningful conversation about how these principles apply in different institutional contexts. Feedback was positive, with several participants noting the potential of this discussion-based approach for their own teaching and training.