Hi
Last night I was speaking with a good friend - a soil scientist - who is attending and presenting at a 4 day international conference with 1,800 others in his field. This conference only happens once every 4 years! He reported the presentations range in quality; while some were brilliant and interesting, some were not up to scratch for such a salubrious event. No workshops to speak of and 'working groups' are exclusive. His experience of trying to connect with relevant colleagues has been 'needle in a hay-stack' stuff, frustrating and stressful. He's wondering if it was worth it. We discussed the wasted opportunity of so many specialists getting together with so little time to actually confer (why call them conferences?). One of the conundrums is that funded attendance can be contingent on 'presenting a paper', especially for academics for whom it is a measure of performance. I'd like to hear from anyone who has experience with overcoming this barrier while preserving the 'trial by peers' opportunity. Even so, it sounds like a proportion of the papers could be trimmed to preserve the quality, and space opened to enable a fuller exposition, exchange and greater shared learning. No news to this list of course, just re-iterates what we know - sigh. So thanks for your pertinent and timely experiences. I've forwarded this thread to my friend to inform his evaluation. You never know, it might find its way to the organisers. best wishes, Robyn Persistence of Vision Fremantle, Western Australia M: +61 (0)424 587 262 P: +61 (0)8 9331 8642 Skype: robyn.williams16 From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Suzanne Daigle Sent: Friday, 6 August 2010 10:05 AM To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Subject: Re: [OSLIST] Scientists in Open Space Oh everyone, this has been such a delight! I will not be demure or reserved. I just simply have to say how much I love and appreciate this community. Each morsel of advice I will treasure and re-read knowing that "whatever happens happens" which I really already knew but to be reminded of it here and to hear about your experiences, tips, tools and insights, well what a gift. Thank you not just for me but most especially for this group of scientists and others who I hope will soon meet in Open Space to engage and connect on their passion and what brought them to science in the first place: to create, discover and make a difference! And yes Andrew (and everyone else), yes indeed it all helps! Suzanne On Thu, Aug 5, 2010 at 6:07 PM, Andrew Rixon <and...@babelfishgroup.com> wrote: Hi Suzanne, With scientists being such creative people, I've found that they really get into Open Space... Here's one article I've written describing more about one experience... http://www.babelfishgroup.com/files/Measuring%20a%20successful%20meeting.pdf And... In terms of hurdles and client/sponsor trepidation... Here's a little tool that was topped off with a great discussion with Viv McWaters... It provides an entry point into some different conversations... http://www.babelfishgroup.com/blog/?p=254 Hope this helps! Warm regards, Andrew -- Andrew Rixon PhD Director Babel Fish Group Pty Ltd Skype: AndrewJRixon Mobile: 0400 352 809 Fax: (03) 8610 0162 Email: <mailto:and...@babelfishgroup.com> and...@babelfishgroup.com URL: <http://www.babelfishgroup.com/> http://www.babelfishgroup.com/ Interested in Story? Join us for the next <http://www.babelfishgroup.com/CelebratingStoryConference> "Celebrating Story: Bringing People and Work to Life" conference. Oct 7th and 8th. From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Suzanne Daigle Sent: Friday, 6 August 2010 3:42 AM To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Subject: [OSLIST] Scientists in Open Space Hi everyone! Over the past few months I have been working with a Sponsor connected with international scientists. She is passionate about inviting people to have new conversations around how we "do" science; how science is funded; the future of science and education; and the emerging trends leading into the next era of science. The goal is to experientially engage a highly diverse group of participants (scientists, policy makers and change agents) in ways that invite self-organization, collaboration and shared leadership - as opposed to how people interact in your typical conference. Nationally and internationally, science faces many urgent challenges not unlike the system breakdowns that we see in so many areas. Certainly there is a sense that the basic ingredients for an Open Space are there not the least of which real issues of concerns, high levels of complexity, diverse groups, great urgency. That said, the Sponsor feels a certain degree of trepidation about how independent-minded, self-directed scientists might respond to Open Space. Not a new question for any of us I know. It would be helpful if you could share any experiences you've had working with Scientists, globally or nationally. Which sectors? Themes? Context? Hurdles? How did it go overall? Any and all insights appreciated. Will send you buckets of smiles and sunshine from Florida in return. Suzanne -- Suzanne Daigle NuFocus Strategic Group 7159 Victoria Circle University Park, FL 34201 FL 941-359-8877; CT 203-722-2009 www.nufocusgroup.com s.dai...@nufocusgroup.com * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist -- Suzanne Daigle NuFocus Strategic Group 7159 Victoria Circle University Park, FL 34201 FL 941-359-8877; CT 203-722-2009 www.nufocusgroup.com s.dai...@nufocusgroup.com * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
