BIG Event 2010

July 21 – July 23
Centre for Life and CultureLab, Newcastle
"Parallel Worlds"

BIG Event 2010 – Guidelines for Session Proposals

The British Interactive Group is accepting proposals for the 2010 BIG Event, which will be held at the Centre for Life and CultureLab in Newcastle upon Tyne. The Event this year will carry the theme 'Parallel Worlds' and aims to provide sessions which encourage knowledge transfer across disciplines and organisations, in particular where STEM communication has little overlap.

Proposals will be accepted until February 9th, 2010.

BIG is the skills sharing network for individuals involved in the communication of science, technology, engineering and maths.

A wide range of professionals attend the BIG event each year, including freelancers and those based in organisations such as universities, professional bodies, science centres, museums, zoos, education support centres and NGO’s.

What are we looking for?

The BIG Executive has set the following priorities for selection for the 2010 Event:

• Sessions that demonstrate they target all of the BIG community, or sections of our membership who are less catered for
• Sessions of varying length (from short, coffee break demonstrations, to standard 45 to 75 minute workshops or panels, to longer skills development opportunities)
• Sessions that provide state of the art professional development opportunities for those working in STEM communication

About the Sessions

• All sessions will be convened by a member of the BIG Executive Committee (BIG Exec) or a BIG regional convener. The convener will open the session and introduce the speakers, assist in facilitating any discussion elements, and keep the session to time.
• Standard equipment will be provided by the Event (laptop, projector etc.); all other materials must be supplied. Please contact us if you have any questions.
• The BIG Exec reserves the right to cancel programme sessions on any of the Event days and make changes to the programme where necessary.
• Participants do not choose sessions in advance. Speakers should plan for an audience of 20-40 people. A maximum limit can also be set (ie for a workshop where materials will be limited).

Creating a session

• We encourage sessions that have been created in partnership or bring together different organisations if appropriate.
• A key way for delegates to find collaborators and resources is through the BIG-chat email list. Email admin@big.uk.com for more information.

Session proposal – format

Session proposals should include the following information:

1. Participants
Names and contact details for participants, indicating who should receive correspondence. Speakers are greatly encouraged to attend the event for the full day that they are presenting. Special full-conference rates will also be available.

2. Summary
Please provide an outline of the session in 75 words or fewer.

Deadline: February 9th, 2010.

Please send all proposals and questions to event@big.uk.com