Conferences Part 1 – Attending, Speaking, Engaging

In this first part of a series on conferences, Judith and Chris discuss recent conference attendance and engagement and reflect on the value of discussion, uncertainty and working through ideas.

Chris reflected on his attendance at COP28 in Dubai and outlined his participation in a panel organised and chaired by Dr Zeenath Reza Khan.  The panel session was Academic Integrity as key competence for UN SDG 13 - Climate Change and brought together speakers for high schools, university, policy makers and students – from university and high school.  Chris talked about his experience being on a panel with no fixed presentation agenda and where speakers reflected on practice and were not defending an institutional position.  This can be liberating.

Judith reflected on her attendance at UKENIC 23 – Reconfiguration and her participation in a plenary session looking at the future of international higher education.  Judith discussed the nature of the event and how the audience make-up can alter the conversation that takes place on stage.  Diversity in the audience, and a move away from a specifically focused academic conversation, provides an opportunity for reflection and debate.

We talked about the need for engagement and reflection and the value in being able to disagree with colleagues.  As a result of the loss of activity and physical engagement during the pandemic, it does seem that we have emerged more willing to share, to be honest and to reflect.

It’s OK not to agree with each other, and even with ourselves at times!

https://www.cop28.com/en/schedule

https://www.ecctis.com/universities%20and%20colleges/Annual%20Conference/Default.aspx 

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