{"id":8154,"title":"\u201cThe New New\u201d: Insights from a unique fellowship program","link":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/en\/2022\/02\/15\/the-new-new-insights-from-a-unique-fellowship-program\/","date":"02\/15\/2022","date_unix":1644915486,"date_modified_unix":1659961179,"date_iso":"2022-02-15T08:58:06+00:00","content":"<p><em>Introduced in 2021, \u201cThe New New\u201d fellowship provides a framework for working towards inclusive visions of our digital futures. For organizations engaged in similar undertakings, we now present five overarching insights of the program.<\/em><span id=\"more-7286\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Debates about the metaverse currently attracting media attention underscore the extent to which economic actors are once again playing an outsized role in determining the shape and narrative of our futures. These debates often overlook the fact that digital-savvy representatives of civil society have long lacked the support they need to develop alternative future visions, and to implement their projects and ideas. We need to increase this support and thus facilitate the social value it creates. That is why we hope to make a contribution to this goal through\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/thenewnew.space\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Opens in a new tab\" >The New\u00a0<em>New<\/em><\/a>, which was created as a space to explore how inclusive visions of our digital futures can be tested while paying attention to the role of technology in the process. As part of this<em>,\u00a0<\/em>a first fellowship program offered activists the opportunity to develop further their own projects while contributing to debates about important aspects that shape our futures:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What kind of world do we want to live in? What role do new technologies play in shaping this future?<\/li>\n<li>How can we change existing power relationships and policy priorities in order to allow for a stronger focus on social justice and sustainability in digital transformation?<\/li>\n<li>What are the alternatives to dystopian and utopian narratives in the context of digital transformation? Which groups in society are being left behind in terms of creating just and inclusive digital futures?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/en\/2021\/09\/17\/closing_thenewnew\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>blog post marking the end of the first \u201cThe New\u00a0<em>New<\/em>\u201d fellowship<\/strong><\/a>, we summarized main activities that took place during this first round of fellowship support. We now present our overarching findings for the benefit of those organizations and individuals looking to implement similar projects. We are happy to provide, upon request, further details about the insights we\u2019ve gained.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8156\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2022\/04\/Bild2-300x168.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"664\" height=\"372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2022\/04\/Bild2-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2022\/04\/Bild2-1024x573.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2022\/04\/Bild2-768x430.png 768w, https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2022\/04\/Bild2-600x336.png 600w, https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2022\/04\/Bild2-1536x859.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2022\/04\/Bild2-2048x1145.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em><u>Our fellowship program findings:<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>1. A strong selection process is critical to the quality of a fellowship program<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>The selection of fellows is the most important factor in determining the program\u2019s success. The more committed the selected fellows are, and the more clearly program expectations are communicated at the outset, the easier it is to support individual fellows and their projects.<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The design and language of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/2020\/11\/25\/the-new-new-start-eines-neuen-fellowships-fuer-inklusive-digitale-zukunftsvisionen\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Opens in a new tab\" >call for applications<\/a>\u00a0were kept\u00a0<strong>simple\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<strong>easy to understand<\/strong>. The importance of an inclusive, supportive environment that is facilitative of diversity was clearly communicated from the beginning.<\/li>\n<li>The call for proposals clearly stated the benefits (i.e., funding modalities and support services) as well as<strong>\u00a0expectations<\/strong>\u00a0regarding fellows\u2019 workloads.<\/li>\n<li>The\u00a0<strong>application form was comprised of a clearly formulated set of questions<\/strong>, which helped ease the burden involved for applicants and thus increased fellowship accessibility.<\/li>\n<li>The call for applications was not limited to new projects; initiatives already\u00a0<strong>underway were also eligible for consideration<\/strong>. Opening up the fellowship to such projects not only mitigates barriers to submitting an application, it also contributes to the long-term viability of approved projects.<\/li>\n<li>Projects were selected by an\u00a0<strong>advisory board comprised of individuals representing a variety of disciplines and subject areas<\/strong>. Representing a diverse set of perspectives and posing critical questions, the advisory board helped ensure a more inclusive selection process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>2. Maintain flexibility and respond to individual needs<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>In addition to providing financial help, suitable assistance for a diverse group of people and projects involves offering services that provide dedicated support in addressing individual needs. Identifying these needs requires a willingness to be flexible:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The program was designed with the goal of being able to respond flexibly to each fellow\u2019s specific needs and requirements. Ultimately, however, the fellows\u2019 desire for dialogue and networking was stronger than anticipated. We addressed this through various workshops and formats designed for dialogue.<\/li>\n<li>Building a\u00a0<strong>relationship of trust<\/strong>\u00a0between the project team and fellows is a very rewarding process. It therefore makes sense to signal a low threshold with regard to availability and receptiveness in responding to each fellow\u2019s areas of interest. This can be demonstrated in several ways, including introductory one-on-one telephone calls with each fellow.<\/li>\n<li>Maintaining\u00a0<strong>clear procedures and a lean bureaucracy<\/strong>\u00a0can help ensure secure processes in operational matters. Standard operating procedures should therefore be communicated early on and in ways that are understandable to everyone. Providing guidelines for procedural issues is one way to do this.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Coaching\/Mentoring<\/strong>\u00a0was one means of addressing individual needs that fellows valued in particular. Having fellows identify specific coaching opportunities themselves that the project team could then commission proved to be especially helpful.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>3. Recognize and promote community-building efforts among fellows<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Efforts to build a community among the fellows provide additional value, as the fellows, in their capacity as experts, can learn a lot from each other. They can build ties where their interests overlap and thereby broaden their understanding of their own target groups.<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Getting to know each other and exchanging ideas about individual areas of focus through common spaces and events provided or organized by the project team are crucial to\u00a0<strong>building trust and networks among the fellows<\/strong>. Facilitating a culture of exchange in this way allows the fellows to benefit from the broad range of expertise within the program.<\/li>\n<li>Joint meetings should include time allocated for discussing\u00a0<strong>shared values<\/strong>, the details of project plans, and what fellows expect from the program.<\/li>\n<li>In addition to providing\u00a0<strong>shared opportunities for dialogue,<\/strong>\u00a0it is worthwhile to ask the fellows early on about their desired channels for asynchronous communication (newsletters, Slack, etc.) and to make these available to everyone involved in the fellowship program.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>4. As a building block for existing activism, the fellowship should include activities that serve this end<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Many of the approved applications for \u201cThe New New\u201d fellowship were for projects already in existence. As such, the program provided them support with professionalization. These projects continue to exist beyond the fellowship.<\/em>\u00a0<em>Funding should therefore seek to help ensure that projects outlast the fellowship period<\/em>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Any joint exchange of ideas should, ideally, discuss and highlight the\u00a0<strong>viability of individual projects beyond the fellowship<\/strong>. At the end of \u201cThe New\u00a0<em>New<\/em>\u201d fellowship, participants were able to state their project goals for the months following the fellowship.<\/li>\n<li>Fellowships should provide participants the opportunity, through channels such as interview and workshops, to report internally and publicly on the contents of their projects and their plans. This can\u00a0<strong>help to build self-confidence and motivation<\/strong>\u00a0among the fellows.<\/li>\n<li>The financial support provided by the fellowship gives the fellows the opportunity to think strategically about their\u00a0<strong>projects<\/strong>\u00a0and opens doors to further project development. This potential should be developed together with the fellows during the funding period and always be taken into consideration.\u00a0<strong>Networking with relevant contacts<\/strong>\u00a0and identifying potential follow-up activities exposes participants to consideration-worthy support opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>5. It\u2019s important that the project team reflect on its own role in the fellowship and act in the best interests of the fellows<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>By definition, the funding role entails an unequal power relationship with the fellows.<\/em>\u00a0<em>It is therefore very important that project team members continually reflect on this relationship and seek to adress this imbalance as much as possible. The intended goal here is to allow fellows the freedom they need to work on ideas for their projects<\/em>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>With the vast majority of fellowships, the\u00a0<strong>fellows are the primary target group<\/strong>\u00a0of the activities organized by the funding organizations. It is therefore important to express confidence in the fellows\u2019 plans and allow them the free rein they need. This is not always what happens.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashoka.org\/de-de\/embracing-complexity\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Opens in a new tab\"  target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Many projects often undergo major adjustments<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in order to meet the requirements and wishes of funding organizations. The framework and focus of the first \u201cThe New\u00a0<em>New<\/em>\u201d fellowship were therefore clearly communicated with transparency in advance, thereby leaving it up to participants to specify their project design during the fellowship. This approach allows to offer fellows suitable support.<\/li>\n<li>Further support provided by the Allianz Kulturstiftung and the Goethe Institute during the course of the project was oriented at the fellowship\u2019s predefined subject area. This made it easier for the organizations involved to coordinate their activities within the established parameters. At the same time, the\u00a0<strong>fellows benefited from the additional input provided by these partners<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>In order to provide fellows suitable support,\u00a0<strong>it\u2019s important to schedule sufficient timelines.<\/strong>\u00a0The fact of the matter is that some of the fellows\u2019 needs and wishes aren\u2019t made clear until the first joint meetings. In order to be able to respond effectively to such things on short notice, those responsible for running the fellowship should take into account buffer times in schedules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>This text is licensed under a\u202f<a href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Opens in a new tab\" ><strong>C<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Opens in a new tab\"  target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>reative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License<\/strong><\/a>Kloi<\/p>\n","excerpt":"<p>Introduced in 2021, \u201cThe New New\u201d fellowship provides a framework for working towards inclusive visions of our digital futures. For [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2022\/04\/pexels-jess-loiterton-4783759-1.jpg","thumbnailsquare":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2022\/04\/pexels-jess-loiterton-4783759-1.jpg","authors":[{"id":5787,"name":"Markus Overdiek","link":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/en\/blogger\/markus-overdiek-2\/"},{"id":6980,"name":"Julia Kloiber","link":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/blogger\/julia-kloiber\/"},{"id":7983,"name":"Julia Gundlach","link":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/en\/blogger\/julia-gundlach\/"},{"id":6694,"name":"Ouassima Laabich-Mansour","link":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/blogger\/ouassima-laabich-mansour\/"}],"categories":[{"id":2,"name":"Uncategorized","link":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/en\/category\/uncategorized\/"}],"tags":[{"id":531,"name":"digitalization","link":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/en\/tag\/digitalization\/"},{"id":347,"name":"Diversity","link":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/en\/tag\/diversity\/"},{"id":568,"name":"Fellowship","link":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/en\/tag\/fellowship-en\/"},{"id":567,"name":"The New New","link":"https:\/\/www.reframetech.de\/en\/tag\/the-new-new-en\/"}]}