1. Getting your message across: Events for different audiences Hazel Burke Realities, NCRM/University of Manchester Presented at: Research Methods Festival, St Catherine’s College, Oxford, 8 July 2010

2. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Plan of action 1.How to organise a good event 2.How to organise really good events for: Research audiences Normal people

3. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Photo: Peter Kaminski from flickr Always ask yourself three questions: 1.Is an event the best way to get my message across? 2.What is the purpose of my event? 3.Who do I want to come?

4. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods How to organise good events

5. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Your safety net…. www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk – search for “communications toolkit” and use the section on Events.www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk

6. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Ask an expert Speak to a colleague with experience of organising a similar kind of event (good for insider info!)

7. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Project management! Make a task list, with headings for dates, names and comments…

8. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods

9. Project management cont… Use the task list…

10. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Troubleshooting common problems Finding and booking venue and speakers Start early, check the venue in person Going over budget: Get firm quotes from suppliers early Save money on non-essentials (flowers, freebies), get alternative quotes Organiser burnout: (large budget) Try paid conference services (small budget) Try free options: www.oxfordabstracts.com www.oxfordabstracts.com Set up a new email address if it’s a big event Put as much information as possible online

11. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods The Prophet of Doom trick What if… The venue has double-booked? The caterers go bust? Or get the day wrong? The computers don’t work? Your main speaker cancels? The fire alarm goes off in the middle of a session? The weather is so bad nobody can get to your event? You are ill on the day of the event?

12. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods How to organise really good events

13. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods It’s all about the audience

14. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Mission 1: Delegate at researcher training workshop How do you attract this kind of audience? (publicity) What information do they need (before they book and after they register)? What can you do to make their life easier/better?

15. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Mission 1: Delegate at researcher training workshop Email lists (which ones?), websites, posters, leaflets, adverts, word of mouth Programme, date, venue, directions, times, how to book, speakers, course objectives, fees, booking deadline. Before event: Clear information confirming booking with note of contact details, basic event details, reminder with same details, receipt, links to accommodation/travel etc At the event: Programme, map, food.

16. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Burke’s Hierarchy of Needs (apologies to Maslow) Signs: to venue, to rooms, to lunch, to toilets etc Correctly-spelled name badge Enough breaks Good programme Food. Especially tea, coffee and biscuits

17. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Mission 2: Guest speaker at research event What extra things do they need/want?

18. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Mission 2: Guest speaker at research event A bit more TLC! Details of AV facilities What to do with their presentation Water, cups A thank you. Try putting all the information on a special “Information for speakers” info sheet

19. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Stealing isn’t always bad

20. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods What ideas would you steal?

21. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Putting theory into practice: A case study Exhibition about Family Resemblances project: Purpose Audience Why an exhibition?

22. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Audience focus Not held at university Easy to get to Accessible, not stuffy. No jargon Family-friendly (timing, content) Informative (layers of information), thought-provoking, relevant Fun

23. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Borrowed (ahem) ideas

24. Realities, part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Toolkit about exhibition at www.manchester.ac.uk/realities/resources