Facilitation and Moderation Skills Training for Scientists & Researchers
Lead effective meetings, facilitate conversations, and collaborate with confidence
In research, science, and academic environments, collaboration is essential, but effective facilitation doesn’t always come naturally. Whether moderating a group discussion, leading a project meeting, guiding a workshop, or hosting a multi-stakeholder session, knowing how to guide groups toward shared understanding and outcomes is a critical skill.
Our facilitation training introduces scientists, researchers, and support staff to the principles and practices of facilitation and moderation. Participants explore what good facilitation looks like, practice inclusive techniques, and build confidence supporting meaningful dialogue in any setting, online or in person.
Facilitation and moderation skills training: half-day workshop (in person or online)
→ Recommended for anyone who needs to run better meetings and lead group discussions
This training is designed for researchers who need practical tools to support productive conversations, not to manage people or projects.
What’s covered:
- The facilitator mindset: shifting from presenting or managing to enabling productive group dialogue
- Reading group dynamics: recognising patterns in participation, energy, and engagement, and adapting in the moment
- Core facilitation principles: clarity of purpose, neutrality, inclusion, and shared ownership
- Practical facilitation methods: adaptable tools you can apply immediately (e.g. Liberating Structures, Design Thinking principles, Art of Hosting practices, Technology of Participation approaches)
- Meeting and workshop design: structuring sessions so discussions lead to decisions, actions, or next steps
- Handling challenging moments: responding to conflict, disengagement, or dominant voices constructively
- Practice and feedback: guided facilitation activities with peer and facilitator feedback
What this training does not cover:
Formal mediation, conflict resolution training, or project management methods. The focus is on facilitation and moderation skills that support effective collaboration.
Delivery:
Half-day (3.5 hours or 2x 2 hours) in person or online
Ideal for:
Research group leaders, project managers, PhD coordinators, science communicators, and anyone who regularly leads collaborative sessions and wants practical facilitation skills.
Delivery options
In-person (recommended):
Across Europe (if we can get there by public transport, we’re happy to travel!)
Online:
Via Zoom, or your preferred platform. We run these workshops for institutions worldwide
Tailor this training to your needs
Every group has different facilitation needs and time constraints. We can adapt this training to fit your context:
Want to dive deeper?
We’re happy to run full-day programmes covering a selection of applied facilitation methods you can use for different situations – ideal for leadership development, trainer programmes, or groups wanting extensive hands-on practice.
Need a practical intro?
We can offer short-form overviews (60-90 minutes) to get you started. These are ideal for learn-and-lunch programmes, team meetings, or conference sessions.
Facilitating online?
We offer an online facilitation add-on module covering digital tools (Zoom, Miro, Mentimeter), inclusive virtual engagement strategies, and translating in-person techniques to online contexts.
Included in all formats:
- Pre-training discovery call and/or survey to understand your group’s needs and context
- Tailored examples relevant to your discipline
- Introduction to tried-and-tested facilitation methods and approaches
- Hands-on practice with peer and facilitator feedback
- Post-session resources and frameworks
- Support for organisers in planning and participant communication
Perfect for:
- PhD students and postdocs leading collaborative research
- Research group leaders running team meetings and workshops
- R&D team members facilitating project sessions
Scientific support and administrative staff organising events - Graduate school coordinators and trainers
- Science communicators and facilitators
- Research group leaders and EU project managers facilitating collaborative sessions
- Early-career researchers facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations
- Anyone looking to lead better meetings, workshops, and collaborative sessions
Explore all training topics
Not sure which format or topic you need? Browse our complete catalogue of communication training, organised by category.
Looking for something different?
We’re always happy to tailor programmes to your context, or create custom-designed learning experiences to address specific needs.
Ready to build facilitation and moderation skills within your researcher community?
If you want to help your researchers, staff, or teams lead more effective meetings, workshops, and collaborative sessions, we’d love to help.
Tell us a bit about what you need (purpose, number of participants, when, where, and anything else that might be useful), and we’ll respond with ideas and costs.
Alternatively, book a call, and we can talk through your ideas together.
