The 2016 Nature Connections conference in Derby in June has the theme of Getting Connected to Nature. Whilst I quite fancy going because of the theme and topics to be discussed, looking at how stuffed full of brief inputs the programme is, suggests that I'd only get annoyed (again!). On Derby day, there are 29 15-minute speaker slots (presumably 10 minutes input + 5 minutes questions), and a couple of 20 minute 'keynotes'.
So, yet again, the TESCO style, pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap approach (so favoured by Natural Connections) is to the fore. All down to economics, I guess. Derby needs lots of people there to cover its costs, most attendees need to be seen to speak to get their expenses paid, and the result is less and less time for discussion and meaningful exchange.
People who justify this sort of programme usually say that discussion can take place in the breaks – which are a decent length at this event – but this means that these will be one-on-one conversations that few if any will overhear let along take part in. These are no substitute for the exchange of experience and insight that can happen in a seminar where a skilled chair allows a flow of ideas that everyone hears and can take part in. The challenge for conference organisers (which most fail) is to get as close to these conditions whilst enabling as many people to participate as possible.
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