Welcome to the LJC Summer UnConference 2024

The LJC UnConference is not your typical event. It's an interactive, participant-driven experience that leverages the Open Spaces approach to create a dynamic, collaborative, and inclusive environment. Whether you're a seasoned expert, a curious newcomer, or someone who prefers to listen and observe, the UnConference is designed to be a valuable and enjoyable experience for everyone.

What is an UnConference?

An UnConference is a gathering where the attendees create the agenda at the start of the event, ensuring that the topics discussed are the most relevant and interesting to the participants. This format encourages spontaneous, passionate discussions and allows for real-time learning and knowledge sharing.

How Does the (LJC) Open Spaces Approach Work?

1. Setting the Stage:

• Opening : At the beginning of the UnConference we ask everyone to propose topics you'd like to discuss or learn about.  Write as many stickies as you want and put them on the wall.

• Agenda Creation: During the Keynote , the organisers will group the suggestions around common ideas and themes. 

• Voting: After the keynote, we’ll ask everyone to vote for their top 3 out of the groupings on display. Pens and tick marks will be involved, and the voting strategy may change depending on the number of disparate topics on the board. 

• Prioritisation: using the votes as a guide, we’ll ask for a show of hands for the first few topics and assign them to the rooms we have.  The most numbers of the hands get the biggest room, and so on.

• Rinse and Repeat: once a session is over, come back to the board, and we’ll repeat for the next items on the list.   Got a new topic - write a new sticky. We’ll add them in as they arise.

2. The Law of Two Feet:

• This guiding principle empowers you to move freely between sessions. If a discussion isn't meeting your needs, use your two feet to find another session that does. This ensures your time is spent where it is most valuable to you. No one minds you leaving or joining.

3. Sessions:

• Sessions are led by attendees and can take many forms—roundtables, demos, debates, or even quiet reflection spaces. The format is flexible to suit the group's needs and preferences. Sessions can be technical deep dives, brainstorming sessions, impromptu workshops, or casual discussions.

• We’ll assign a human moderator. Their job is to keep the discussion broadly on topic (if it descends to talking about football, we know it’s time to end) and to enforce a few simple rules—the primary one being no slides. We frown on showing any prepared work except if you want to do a lightning talk, in which case talk to the organizers beforehand. There are whiteboards and pens to aid the discussion. 

Why Attend an UnConference?

For the Active Participant:

• Engage and Contribute: Share your knowledge, lead a session, or contribute to discussions. Your insights and experiences can spark new ideas and innovations.

• Network and Collaborate: Meet like-minded individuals, form new connections, and potentially find future collaborators or mentors.

For the Quiet Participant:

• Listen and Learn: There is immense value in observing and absorbing the discussions around you. You'll gain insights and knowledge without the pressure to actively participate.

• Safe and Inclusive Environment: The UnConference is designed to be welcoming and non-intimidating. Feel free to join sessions and contribute at your own comfort level.

• Flexibility and Freedom: With the Law of Two Feet, you can explore different sessions without any commitment. Find what resonates with you and immerse yourself in those conversations.

What Do You Achieve?

1. Personalized Learning:

You control your learning experience by choosing sessions that align with your interests and needs. This ensures you gain relevant and actionable knowledge.

2. Community Building:

The collaborative nature of the UnConference fosters a strong sense of community. You'll leave with new connections, a sense of belonging, and perhaps even new friendships.

3. Innovation and Inspiration:

The open format encourages creativity and the exchange of diverse ideas. You'll encounter fresh perspectives and innovative solutions that you can take back to your own projects and teams.

4. Empowerment:

Whether leading a session or quietly participating, you'll feel empowered by the collective energy and shared commitment to learning and growth.

Final Thoughts

The UnConference is a unique opportunity to engage with a community of passionate individuals in a flexible and supportive setting. Whether you come to share, learn, or observe, your presence adds value to the collective experience. Join us to explore new ideas, build connections, and be part of a transformative event that is shaped by you for you.