Reflections on my #WomenEd Techy Unconference

An unconference is 'a gathering that tries to avoid hierarchical aspects of a conventional conference, such as sponsored presentations and top-down organization.'

I have attended many of the #WomenEd unconferences both virtually and in person since the very first one in 2015.

When I think back to the very first one and I reflect on the most recent one, I can see how much I have grown in my leadership confidence, clarity, and purpose and how I'm now able to communicate the impact of what I do. I also see the influence we have on an individual and collective basis (once we recognise the potential and power we all have within us).

Looking through the lens of the theme for the day – #DISRUPT - it's clear that there is still a lot of change and challenge ahead of us, all highlighted in many of the learning points I noted throughout the day.

I learnt about the flexible working experiences of Ivie Okwuegbuna and Baar Hersi. Their LeadMeets highlighted two sides of the flexible working coin. Ivie's narrative highlighted the leaps and bounds made when leaders are innovative in their decisions to create flexible working solutions. Baar shared the experience of someone who left the teaching profession due to rigid leadership decisions, when they requested temporary flexi working arrangements. The coin analogy serves well here because it can often feel like 'flip of the coin' decisions that influence our individual experiences within the world of education.

Another example of this need for change was during the insightful panel discussion that I chaired with the incredible Laura Knight and Dina Foster. They thoroughly explored some of the issues and options to reduce gender gaps in technology / AI. I was thrilled to collaborate with Laura, Dina and Clare Erasmus on two sessions centred about EdTech and the role that #WomenEd Tech plays in this.

Towards the end of the event, I was chatting with someone about our thoughts, experiences and reflections of the day. Then it suddenly hit me. We knew most of the women that attended the unconference through our use of social media.

It was so heartwarming to continue virtual conversations, friendships, and professional developments on a face-to-face basis. It also highlighted some of the positives from social media and how powerful the sense of community can really be. That feeling and sense of community resonated throughout the whole day.

The reason I'm sharing my reflections of the event a week later is that I was exhausted afterwards! Saturdays have now become my day to decompress and relax from an intense working week. Ahead of the unconference, I knew the knock-on effect my attendance would have upon my much needed weekend of rest.

That said, I am so glad that I went.