SHINDIG
The conference was run on the Shindig platform which replicates many of the experiences of a face-to-face conference in a virtual environment. Participants are all visible in the room and can ask questions either in person or through text. Participants can also chat with each other privately, either via video or text. There was a virtual coffee room where one could meet up with other conference attendees. If you want to have a look at the system please see the NomadIT resources website.
Training
Those attending the event are advised to spend 20 minutes learning how to use Shindig in advance. Test out the attendee ten-minute demo space, and refer to these resources for attendees. There is also a page for those who prefer to use mobile devices.
Chairs should familiarise themselves with the platform in advance via their specific ten-minute demo, referring to these resources if there is further need. Chairs cannot use the mobile app to chair their room.
FORMAT FOR THE CONFERENCE
As this was an entirely virtual event, we streamlined the programme to minimise screen time and maximise interactivity. We used the Shindig conference platform, with training offered to attendees.
The workshop took place over 8 working days (16 – 27 November), with one session per day, divided into multiple Chaired discussions, followed by a plenary feedback session. This resulted in a time commitment on any day of around two hours in the afternoon (plus a comfort break). Attendees were not required to join each day or even for the whole of a session!
Research cohorts and cross-cutting themes
All participants were assigned to one of three research cohorts indicated below:
- Research cohort 1: education in conflict
- Research cohort 2: gender, intersectionality and faith perspectives
- Research cohort 3: Peacekeeping, reparations and visions for the future
The three cohorts met daily in three panels. Each panel discussed a daily cross-cutting theme. For example: on day two, all three panels drew on their project experience to explore the cross-cutting theme ‘decolonial perspectives’. After such discussions, all three cohorts joined in a plenary session.
Attendees did not have to stick to this cohort or attend every session; but hopefully the opportunity to network with projects in a similar research area over different days and across a range of cross-cutting themes were be useful.
Padlet
Attendees were encouraged to add their profile to the Praxis padlet here.
Post-conference networking
The importance of continuing these conversations is critical; as such we would encourage you to continue discussing and engaging with other conference participants to identify areas of mutual concern, overlap and prospects for research collaboration. As a follow-up to this event, we plan to hold a series of 1-1 and group sessions to reflect on the critical lessons learned from the event. Our colleagues at the Arts and Humanities Research Council will participate in these conversations to provide opportunities for direct feedback. We will invite participants to contribute to these sessions on a project basis, but do contact us directly if you would like to take part.
Accessibility, inclusivity and diversity
A variety of views and contexts is critical to the success of these discussions. This conference is actively engaging with research communities and in-country stakeholders to enable attendance from research participants as well as practitioners. To this end, we can provide the following support to research communities to enable attendance and engagement:
- We can provide logistical and technical support to enhance accessibility, for example through helping you access the platform via a range of online formats (phones, tablets and a Whatsapp line) and providing financial reimbursement for data packages where necessary;
- Logistical support: captioning of discussions for those who might not be able to use sound; and we are looking into translation options. Please let us know if this is a need for you or your research community.
Please encourage your research communities to get involved by reaching out to them; and flagging contacts to us conference organisers. We will be approaching participants ourselves, as appropriate, but please do contact us to help secure specific support for your community.
Regarding conference accessibility and logistics, please contact Lauren via L.Wray(at)leeds.ac.uk