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School of Modern Languages and Cultures

APTIS2024 Unconference format

APTIS 2024

Unconference Format

Why an Unconference?

An unconference is a participant-driven event following a bottom-up model conducive to identifying common opportunities and solutions to pressing challenges.

Since the foundation of APTIS, the translation and interpreting sector and the language industries have experienced a series of radically changing events: Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, varying student numbers, the challenges of decolonisation and EDI, and the rapid integration of AI into production processes. Reflecting on the implications of these changes requires the type of time and space that regular conference formats do not always provide.

Advancements in generative AI have boosted claims of the possibility of fully replacing humans in interlinguistic and intercultural stages, and there is growing pressure for modern languages and translation and interpreting programmes to respond to these changes. The sector is actively reflecting on these discussions, but we rarely have enough time to work together to identify efficient and sustainable solutions.

The 2024 APTIS (Un)conference will be an appropriate venue for academics, translation and interpreter trainers and researchers to come together and discuss topics, challenges and opportunities, thus providing a nurturing ground for discussions and cooperation to tackle urgent needs.

Basic Unconference Rules

We encourage all participants to embody the principles of the unconference and engage in making it a success. It is essential that participants are mindful and support some basic rules:

  1. Everyone is a participant
  2. All participants must actively engage in activities
  3. Everyone has a role to play in making the event successful
  4. There are a variety of session types and formats in which to participate. Find the one that fits well with your style but be willing to explore other options. You will be a participant in many different ways throughout this event!
  5. Maintaining the schedule and being mindful of time is a sign of respect for participants and their contributions, so we all need to be thoughtful timekeepers.

Rules from The Unconference ToolkitLink opens in a new window

Sessions and format

Unconferences are heavily discussion-based, and it is common for concrete projects to emerge from these discussions. The 2024 APTIS Unconference won’t follow the traditional paper plus-question panel format will be organised around a series of specific sessions raising distinct questions. The overarching aim of APTIS 2024 is to share good practice, learn from each other, reflect on our experiences and collaboratively co-create the conference from the bottom up.

The precise format, topic and duration of the Unconference sessions will be defined by participants. Flexibility and active engagement will be essential for the (Un)conference. and their research, and five unconference discussion sessions (each with three parallel rooms and leaders).

Before the Unconference

A pre-conference survey will be used to canvas the attendees and start framing the discussions for the conference. A general “session plan” will be agreed upon amongst attendees, with attendees asked to share their reasons for attending the unconference and what they hope to gain from it. Each session can use this format as a starting point and then decide how to continue the conversation.

During the Unconference

The unconference will include two parts featuring different types of sessions. A final conference-wide session will help us round up the discussions and lay out a roadmap for potential collaborations

Submit your proposals here.

Part I: Stimulus

The first part of the unconference will feature familiar conference-style sessions allowing participants to come together, connect and reflect on the current state of affairs. The Stimuli can take the form of poster presentations, rapid-fire presentations or Hot-topics discussions.

Part II: Response

The Response sessions will take the form of Group discussions or brainstorming sessions led by a facilitator who will guide the conversations, steer discussions and keep track of ideas for solutions and potential collaboration.

If you have ideas for another type of session that could work with the overall Unconference but doesn’t fit the above, drop us an email!

If you are concerned about the format or the possibility that your participation will not be eligible for funding at your institution, please let us know. We will provide the required participation certificates for any of the sessions above.

Post-Unconference: Lessons learned

  • The pre-conference surveyLink opens in a new window gave us valuable information to fine-tune the activities and allowed us to share some initial bottom-up information with all participants. We circulated the results using this Sway.Link opens in a new window

  • Balancing input sessions (like our Hot Topics Roundtables and Rapid-Fire presentations) with discussion sessions works well for a smooth transition from traditional conferences to unconferences. This combination gives participants the reassurance of a familiar delivery format and provides guiding input that then sparks discussion during the unconference sessions.

  • We used Padlet to collect feedback and comments from participants and Slido to conduct live questions. This combination worked well. Our Padlet can be accessed hereLink opens in a new window. Password: APTIS2024. The Padlet sections were added as the unconference developed. Participants also used LinkedIn and other social media to share their impressions, creating yet another layer of interaction and external engagement.

  • Participants need pockets of time to sit with their thoughts and digest the information before they can engage and feedback. Allocate quiet time to reflect individually and post comments and questions to Padlet or any other platform. 15-20 minutes are enough to gather feedback.

  • Engagement should be promoted and encouraged constantly. Our participants were excited and receptive to the unconference format, but it took until Day 2 of the unconference to really see a critical mass of participants commenting on Padlet. Conversations were already taking place, but sharing required additional prompting. Once the practice started, this became much more natural.
  • Constant reminders to visit the Padlet and share ideas and comments are essential. Building in reminders and short sessions (10-15 minutes) to visit the Padlet encourages participation.
  • Facilitators, presenters and roundtable leads were instrumental in encouraging discussion and participation.
  • Involving the keynote speakers early on was useful as it allowed them to better engage with both the format and the full event.
  • Considering the conversational and interactive nature, it is advisable to allow presenters and facilitators to submit their slides during the event, allowing them to make adjustments based on the discussions at the event.
  • Long lunch breaks also allow participants to choose between engaging in conversations or having time for themselves.
  • The post-lunch walk was well-received and participants welcomed the opportunity to be outside.
  • The format worked well for a face-to-face event, but we are not certain how this type of event could be made hybrid. By offering an on-campus-only version, conversations continued through multiple sessions and spaces. This type of unconference might not lend itself to a hybrid format, but future organisers could explore other options.