Dear All,
I have hesitated to reply to the comments about our conference as I'm not
sure that this is the appropriate forum, however, given the number of
replies and the obvious strength of opinion I feel I must.
Until this year our conferences have typically been held on a Saturday. When
this was the case participants from new universities averaged 14%. This year
participants from this sector are running at 28%.
The decision to switch to a weekday followed numerous complaints over many
years that Saturday conferences prevented people attending because of family
and/or childcare commitments. Given the extended hours academics in all
sectors work it was felt that expecting them to give up their weekends as
well was increasingly unrealistic. The evidence so far would indicate that
the switch to a weekday is broadening, not narrowing, participation.
I agree that Friday is not the ideal day on which to travel, particularly by
rail, but it was the only weekday available to us when booking the venue.
Nor does holding a conference on a Saturday entirely prevent the problem of
Friday travel for those unable to travel there and back on the day.
As an academic working north of the border I'm acutely aware of metropolitan
bias and the pull of the 'golden triangle'. I can assure you, however, that
the decision to hold the conference in London is due to neither of these
factors. None of the AHC-UK committee works in the golden triangle, and all
but three live and work north of Birmingham. The committee comprises members
from old and new universities, data providers, independent scholars as well
as spanning ages from under 40 to retirement.
The decision to hold the conference in London is entirely pragmatic. Whether
we like it or not, it remains the most convenient and cost effective
location for the majority of our members to attend. The AHC Committee has
considerable collective experience in organising events throughout the
country and it remains a fact, a sad fact admittedly, that people are far
more willing to travel to London than locations elsewhere. The IHR is a
prestigious venue, but it is also convenient, efficient and provides
flexible facilities at a very reasonable cost. This is an important
consideration for a small subject association run on an entirely voluntary
basis.
I am sorry that the date and location of our conference has prevented some
of you from attending. Whatever date and location we choose we will not
please everyone. However, none of this is set in stone. We will always
consider alternative dates and locations where we think this best serves the
interest of members.
Yours
Ian Anderson
Convenor AHC-UK
|