What is dialogue

Before starting to develop the dialogue academy we surveyed the opinions of professional science communicators from across the UK. It appears that there is wide variety in the understanding of the term dialogue.

For the context of these academies the definition of dialogue we are using is one developed and used by the Science Museum's Dana Centre, London. The Science Museum has extensive experience in engaging audiences through dialogue and define it as:

"A process of communication in which two or more participants engage in an open exploration of issues and relationships on an equitable basis.

"Dialogue is the exchange of ideas, opinions, beliefs, and feelings between participants - both speakers and audience. It is listening with respect to others and being able to express one's own views with confidence.

"Dialogue is not silence, chaos or one person or faction monopolising the session."