Fiasco Fest – What a party-workshop can do for a more failure-friendly research culture

The Arqus Innovation Fund awarded project “Fiasco Fest goes Arqus” will be presented in a webinar on 21 February from 13:00 to 14:00 CET: “What a party-workshop can do for a more failure-friendly research culture”.

The main goal of the “Fiasco Fest goes Arqus” initiative is to destigmatize rejection in academia and promote learning from mistakes in a supportive environment.

What is the Fiasco Fest? 

The “Fiasco Fest” creates space for researchers to talk openly about obstacles and failures. The premise is that career setbacks are unavoidable and are an opportunity for personal development. In a festive environment, researchers 1) share with each other points of pride and “fiascos” in their career so far, 2) move on to analysing and exploring together what makes one’s experiences into a “fiasco”, 3) after which they are provided with psychological insights and tools that help with coping with setbacks, enabling them to “handle their next fiasco with care”, and 4) finally there is an exercise in letting go.

Setbacks and defeats are common occurrences throughout one’s career, but they are often perceived as shameful and not openly discussed. To avoid discussions about rejection and failure leads to unrealistic expectations, a fear of taking risks or mental health issues. These negative consequences reduce researchers’ creativity, motivation and commitment. 

Funded through the Arqus European University Alliance Innovation Fund, the “Fiasco Fest goes Arqus” initiative consists of three components:

1. The workshop, known as “Fiasco Fest,” serves as the core of the initiative. It is a three-hour experience lab designed to provide a safe and open space for PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers to share their stories of setbacks and failures.
2. The collaborative session, referred to as “Train the Trainer,” equips trainers from at least five Arqus universities with the essential tools and techniques to independently lead the “Fiasco Fest” themselves. Professionals will learn to establish the safe space required for the “Fiasco Fest” and adeptly guide its participants through the event.
3. The manual, referred to as the Pedagogy Playbook, will support the trainers in effectively preparing for and conducting the Fiasco Fest. It will provide structured and organized information about the Fiasco Fest’s content, objectives, activities and procedures.

If you are working with researchers, you can create your own Fiasco Fest. This online workshop on Friday 21 February is the opportunity to learn about it. The webinar takes place during a Careers Advisers supporting Researchers in Europe CARE Monthly Meeting, hosted by Sarah Blackford and Barbara Janssens. More information here.