On 20th January, DG SCIC’s Multilingualism and Knowledge Development Unit organised a dedicated workshop on the new KCI research section. The research section will feature Master’s theses and final dissertations on the topic of interpreting. No fewer than 40 participants took part- from a variety of backgrounds- representing 32 universities (all of which cooperate with DG SCIC) and 3 continents. SCIC colleagues were also involved.
The workshop consisted of 2 parts. In the morning, there were presentations from 4 invited keynote speakers: Prof. Tinka Reichmann (Leipzig University), Prof. Lieven Buysse (KU Leuven), Prof. Ivana Čeňková (Charles University Prague) and Prof. Dr. Bart Defrancq (Ghent University and CIUTI President). Each speaker demonstrated how MA theses are displayed on their respective university database and suggested possible methods for displaying them on the KCI. The presentations were followed by a Q&A session. The topics raised included potential selection criteria for ensuring that the theses displayed are of sufficient quality, the issue of multilingualism and technical aspects.
SCIC colleagues then presented a template which they had developed as a possible tool for displaying information about MA theses on the KCI, with subsequent discussion before the lunch break.
The afternoon session started with a preview of the new look and feel of the KCI and a presentation showing how the new research section could be incorporated into the platform. Participants were then assigned to breakout rooms to discuss the following topics:
• Formulating workshop conclusions
• Locating the research section appropriately within the KCI
• New ideas for cooperation between universities
• Ways in which university partners can contribute to the KCI
The workshop was a success, involving a wide range of participants and lively debates on a range of inter-related topics. A number of proposals emerged from the event. In particular, it was felt that the KCI should be used to foster the exchange of ideas and experiences between students and between trainers or thesis supervisors. The KCI team will keep in close touch with the participants, so that they can help to shape the new academic research section and come up with new proposals for sharing knowledge and experience in this area with the whole interpreting community via the KCI.