Conferences often reflect wider inequalities, with women, early career researchers (ECRs), and those from the Global South under-represented in speaker line-ups, despite events being crucial for professional growth. In response to the lack of existing resources, the University of Oxford’s REACH programme and School of Geography and the Environment developed a practical best practice guide on organizing inclusive conferences, based on research, expert consultation, and a survey of over 230 respondents. The REACH International Conference on Water Security and Poverty, held in Oxford in March 2019 was developed and structured based on this guide, so as to actively promote the visibility of under-represented researchers.
The guide covers six key areas of planning inclusive events – logistics, speaker diversity, inclusive participation, communications, discrimination and harassment, and respect for caring responsibilities – and has been used by institutions including Oxford, UKRI, FCDO, and international bodies like the UN. Since its 2019 launch, the guide has had significant policy and practice impact, influencing event design across sectors, being cited in academic and evaluation reports, and continuing to shape inclusive research culture at Oxford and beyond.
Click here to read the Best practice guide: developing inclusive conferences
