Unconference

An unconference is an educational event that does not have set content; the schedule is filled during the event by the participants. It is often used in the kink and BDSM community because this structure allows for an agenda based on the passions and interests of the participants, allowing more creativity and spontaneity overall. This model is sometimes also called "open space". ### Origins of the Term The term has been used in the scientific community from as early as 1828 and is fairly common in the tech world as well. ### How an Unconference Works A typical format has a schedule board created by one or more facilitators using cards filled in by participants with descriptions of what they'd like to teach, learn, or do. This means that even when events are created the same way, the results can be vastly different each time depending on the participants involved. ### Common Principles of an Unconference - Schedule board and facilitator: Often there is a role where a person will "guard" the schedule, make sure there are no conflicts, and will help to coordinate when there are multiple things that participants want scheduled. Schedules are not always set up in the same way. Many times, a schedule with specific time slots of 30 to 90 minutes with breaks in between is used. Sometimes the schedule is more fluid, where sessions can last as long as they last and there are no specific time slots determined. - Law of mobility: A way to indicate that any participant can join or leave a session whenever they feel the subject or content is no longer for them. This may also include the person facilitating the session when there is another person to take over. This is also sometimes called the "law of two feet" or "voting with your feet", though concerns about the ableism baked into those terms has led to many unconferences dropping the older terms. - Any content is welcome: By allowing people to make up their own minds, there is no need to filter content or subjects as people are free to skip or leave any sessions. This can create space for difficult subjects to be approached, as well as for "alternative" views and ideas to have a podium. ### Formats There are different ways of doing an unconference, here are some outlines of common formats: - Fishbowl discussions: A circle discussion with a limited number of speaking seats in the middle. The discussion is lead by a facilitator that has the task of making sure everyone in the speaking seats is able to speak and share their points. Once a person on a speaking seat no longer feels they want to speak, they open up a chair for another person to step forward and take that seat and participate in the discussion. Seats are also placed in rows behind the speaking seats for people to listen. This works well in large group discussions. - Dotmocracy: Participants receive a set number of votes through stickers in the shape of a "dot". They can use these votes to share their wishes on "proposed" and "requested" items for the schedule. These items are also made by participants. The schedule facilitator will pick the items with the most votes and will schedule them together with the person that proposed it, or the person who would facilitate that item. - PechKucha / Lightning Talks / Ignite: These short format presentations are held at the beginning of the event and are precursors for later sessions. Based on that, a voting system can happen, or people can attend the follow-up sessions that are scheduled. This format often works better when facilitators are already known, or there is time to prepare the sessions. This makes it less suited for on-the-spot requests.