Read on Twitter
With all the chat about alcohol and conferences....
In my twenties I had a number of liver problems, meaning I couldn't drink. I also went to a lot of conferences where other academics:
- challenged why I didn't drink
- mocked me for having soft drinks
- put alcohol into my drink
In my twenties I had a number of liver problems, meaning I couldn't drink. I also went to a lot of conferences where other academics:
- challenged why I didn't drink
- mocked me for having soft drinks
- put alcohol into my drink
- repeatedly asked me *why* I didn't drink
- made jokes about alcoholics
- told me not to join in social events (as I wouldn't be drinking)
- gave me punch they claimed wasn't alcoholic (but they knew was)
- made jokes about alcoholics
- told me not to join in social events (as I wouldn't be drinking)
- gave me punch they claimed wasn't alcoholic (but they knew was)
People don't drink at conferences because
- health reasons
- faith reasons
- financial reasons
- safety reasons
- sobriety reasons
- none of your business reasons
- health reasons
- faith reasons
- financial reasons
- safety reasons
- sobriety reasons
- none of your business reasons
You don't need to drink alcohol at conferences. But if you decide to host events with alcohol you need a variety of non alcoholic alternatives and a no-shame environment so anyone *not* drinking doesn't feel excluded or isn't put at risk.
No alcohol events exclude far fewer people than alcohol focused ones.
The conversations we're having about conferences right now,whether it's about shifting them online or not serving alcohol, should tell you a lot about how for many people conferences are nothing to do with academic work as claimed and everything to do with having a bit of a party
Having a party's fine. But making this model of networking central to academic lives excludes many. Alcohol, accessibility,cost,safety,childcare,duration,location,social events, dietary options, travel and transport, manels, whanels, speakers....all of these things need checking
