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[thread] WHY PAYING SPEAKERS MATTER?
I recently accepted a speaking engagement for free but then realised that the event was ticketed. It has made me think more about my role in creating social inequality when I accept an unpaid speaking gig. So I sent them an email today:
I recently accepted a speaking engagement for free but then realised that the event was ticketed. It has made me think more about my role in creating social inequality when I accept an unpaid speaking gig. So I sent them an email today:
I notice that the event is ticketed, but the speakers are not being paid (At least I'm not. I don't know whether others are). This is disappointing for a number of reasons.
When we talk about empowering women and making such events and speaker panels are inclusive, it matters whether the speakers are being paid or not. Research has shown that this increases the gender pay gap and decreases the opportunities available to women.
It is often the perception that if one cares about social causes, then they should be able to offer their time for free. This isn't good practice in the industry. I am pleased to be part of this event, but it is a whole day commitment for me.
Considering the total time it takes, few make a profit from giving a talk at least if they are independent consultants/freelancers. For those who are not employed by a University or organisation this time isn't being compensated by a salary. There’s a great deal of us out there.
Being invited to speak at a conference is without a doubt a privilege and an honour. So, thank you for inviting me. But, as a conference organiser, it’s also a privilege to get great speakers to speak. There are other advantages to paying speakers, even if it is a nominal fee.
Paying the speaker changes the transaction to a business one, rather than a voluntary one. It is also about assigning value to a speaker. If you are paying suppliers and charging for attendance, it is only fair to pay your speakers too.
As someone who promotes & campaigns for equality, I feel that I am being instrumental in creating a further social divide by accepting a speaking engagement that does not pay. I can perhaps afford to do so, but there might be others who would have to turn such opportunities down.
In this way, it is always the same people who get invited to speak, who are visible, who get promoted, and then they can demand higher speaker fees because of their apparent prestige. This is a vicious cycle.
I give a lot of my time for free, voluntarily without any thought of commercial gain, but have been thinking a lot about the culture that we are perpetuating by doing so.
Perhaps we could all do more to set some industry standards and make this more transparent and equitable.
Perhaps we could all do more to set some industry standards and make this more transparent and equitable.
