How to Organise Inclusive Conferences and Workshops

Reviews / Votes

'I found How to Organise Inclusive Conferences and Workshops to be less a conventional handbook than a serious, humane argument about what professional gatherings reveal about power, access, and belonging... This is a thoughtful, candid, forceful book, and it deserves to be read by the people with the power to change how gathering works.' -- LiteraryTitan.com 'With this edited volume, Will Donald again demonstrates he is fast becoming a role model for inclusive organizing in academia and beyond. During the covid-19 pandemic, I first realized how important it is for conferences to consider their accessibility to people with disabilities, but also to those struggling to get visas or pay for the travel and accommodation. It was shocking to see how things that were possible then (like online and hybrid formats), in times of crisis, were swiftly rolled back as soon as large in-person gatherings were allowed again. This was met with disappointment and hurt among those who had finally been able to participate during covid, which was eye-opening to me. Will is a thought leader and a voice for others when it comes to the topic of organizing inclusive conferences and workshops, and seeing him speak out on this issue on the public forum has been extremely insightful and inspiring to me.' -- Nicky Dries, KU Leuven, Belgium 'How to Organise Inclusive Conferences and Workshops is a must-have roadmap for everyone working with or advocating for inclusion and sustainability, and willing to effect change. It is also a valuable tool for youth preparing to enter the workforce, seasoned professionals upskilling, as well as those wanting to know more about access, equity, and belonging for all, regardless of their background, race, culture, medical or other need. 'This book provides much-needed insights in making conferences and workshops more inclusive and truly accessible to all. This overlooked aspect of DEI offers practical advice and food for thought for those who want to walk the talk. The chapters cover several dimensions of diversity, outline the perspectives and lived experiences of various actors and show insights from different parts of the world. The topic is timely and can have a long-lasting impact on scholars and practitioners alike. If we want all voices to be heard and if we want knowledge to reflect society, then this book is the ideal starting point.' -- Sophie Hennekam, Audencia Business School, France 'This well-focused collection should be read by anyone who supports researchers and convenes academic events. It offers practical wisdom from a diversity of contexts and emphasizes how these strategies can make all colleagues feel more welcome and connected in our universities. This is not a "nice to have", it's essential.' -- Tseen Khoo, Deakin University, Australia 'A timely and practical guide that challenges us to rethink how conferences and workshops are organised. This book offers concrete strategies and lived insights for creating spaces that are not only accessible, but also genuinely inclusive, sustainable, and transformative for diverse professional communities.' -- Laxmikant Manroop, Eastern Michigan University, USA