The unheard voices of academia: overcoming systemic barriers and fostering inclusive spaces for knowledge exchange
The unheard voices of academia: overcoming systemic barriers and fostering inclusive spaces for knowledge exchange
Our paper aims to consider how hybrid academic conferences can create inclusive spaces for knowledge exchange. The paper begins by considering the purpose of academic conferences and identifying the groups of people excluded when conferences are run in an in-person-only format. Reasons for exclusion include being disabled, being a carer, being unable to travel (e.g., in the final trimester of pregnancy), being unable to secure a VISA, or being unable to access funds to cover travel and accommodation costs. Next, we consider the existing challenges that individuals and event organizers face concerning academic conferences. Then, pragmatic opportunities for event organizers are presented, making the case for running conferences in a hybrid format. The paper concludes with a call to action for promoting care democracy in the workplace by addressing the humanity deficit and the unheard voice of academics currently excluded from in-person-only academic conferences.
Hybrid conferences, academia, disability, inclusion, sustainable career
Paul Vincent, Maria T.
c743ed12-3d78-4f3a-9006-101d96a2c79d
Donald, William E.
0b3cb4ca-8ed9-4a5f-9c10-359923469eec
16 February 2024
Paul Vincent, Maria T.
c743ed12-3d78-4f3a-9006-101d96a2c79d
Donald, William E.
0b3cb4ca-8ed9-4a5f-9c10-359923469eec
Paul Vincent, Maria T. and Donald, William E.
(2024)
The unheard voices of academia: overcoming systemic barriers and fostering inclusive spaces for knowledge exchange.
Disability & Society.
(doi:10.1080/09687599.2024.2312220).
Abstract
Our paper aims to consider how hybrid academic conferences can create inclusive spaces for knowledge exchange. The paper begins by considering the purpose of academic conferences and identifying the groups of people excluded when conferences are run in an in-person-only format. Reasons for exclusion include being disabled, being a carer, being unable to travel (e.g., in the final trimester of pregnancy), being unable to secure a VISA, or being unable to access funds to cover travel and accommodation costs. Next, we consider the existing challenges that individuals and event organizers face concerning academic conferences. Then, pragmatic opportunities for event organizers are presented, making the case for running conferences in a hybrid format. The paper concludes with a call to action for promoting care democracy in the workplace by addressing the humanity deficit and the unheard voice of academics currently excluded from in-person-only academic conferences.
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Paul Vincent & Donald (2024) AAM
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Paul Vincent & Donald (2024) Disability & Society
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 26 January 2024
e-pub ahead of print date: 16 February 2024
Published date: 16 February 2024
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© 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Keywords:
Hybrid conferences, academia, disability, inclusion, sustainable career
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Local EPrints ID: 487418
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/487418
ISSN: 0968-7599
PURE UUID: b2e160dd-7cda-483d-842f-e7d4ca1c9825
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Date deposited: 20 Feb 2024 12:48
Last modified: 20 Apr 2024 02:52
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Author:
Maria T. Paul Vincent
Author:
William E. Donald
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