About Unconferences

What is an unconference?

Unconferences (also known as Open Space Technology) began when observers of traditional conferences would say that the coffee breaks were always the best parts. That's because during a coffee break, participants are free to talk about the issues on their minds, share knowledge and connections, and work through their most interesting problems with other professionals they don't usually see everyday. Open Space Technology is like one big coffee break without all those pesky sessions and presentations in the way of great conversation. 

Each event begins with a marketplace. Participants propose topics for discussion and a place to meet to hold that discussion. Then each participant follows the law of mobility: If you find yourself in a conversation where you are neither learning nor contributing, you are free to move to another conversation. 

Open Space Technology comes down to trust. Participants have faith that:

• Whoever comes are the right people.
• Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened. 
• When it starts is the right time. 
• When it's over, it's over. 

If you are curious about others' expertise, open to new ideas, and ready for some spontaneous learning, you're ready for an unconference. 

What about presenters and session schedules? 

Topic leaders and session schedules will emerge throughout the day. The marketplace will change as conversations evolve and participants make new discoveries. That said, there are some key times that will help ground the day: 

• 8:00 am - 9:00 am: registration, light continental breakfast 
• 9:00 am - 9:15 am: welcome, framing, and flow 
• 9:15 am - 9:45 am: intro to open space and marketplace set up 
• 9:45 am - 10:00 am:  transition to breakout rooms 
• 10:00 am - noon: morning sessions 
• noon - 12:45 pm: lunch and mini-harvest 
• 12:45 pm - 1:00 pm: transition to breakout rooms 
• 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: afternoon sessions
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: harvest round 
• 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm:  closing and checkout

Is this a research conference? 

Unconferences are what you want them to be. You can bring your research and propose talking about your findings in the marketplace. You don't need to submit a session proposal; just be prepared for a more dynamic conversation.

Also, you could bring research questions and ask other participants for advice on methodology. You could bring your data and seek help with analysis. You could even show how your research answers others' questions or supports their work. 

That all being said, unconferences bring people together to have spontaneous conversations about what is on their minds. If this takes you deep into your research, great! If this takes you into conversations about evaluation practice, that's also great. Entering into an open space technology event means letting go and trusting the collective wisdom of the group. 

Resources for Understanding Open Space Technology

If you would like to learn more about the unconference format and Open Space Technology, there are several great resources available:

• Open Space Global Community of Practice 
• Open Space Resources - Chris Corrigan 
• Open Space Technology (video) - InCommonsOrg

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