AI, ethics & public engagement Unconference 10th March: Our approach, and what to expect

What is an Unconference?

An unconference is a participant‑driven event. Instead of a predefined agenda, the content is shaped entirely by the people in the room.

Anyone can propose a session. Anyone can host. The value comes from shared exploration: asking questions, testing ideas, and learning from one another.

The format is open, collaborative and flexible. Sessions can be structured discussions, provocations, show‑and‑tells, problem‑solving groups, or simply conversations prompted by a question.

How sessions work

Our agenda is built live on the morning of the event using a simple process:

1. Propose a session – Write a title or question on a sticky note.
2. Place it on the agenda wall – Choose an available time slot and room.
3. We balance and cluster topics – The agenda wrangler may move or group sessions to ensure flow, diversity and space.
4. Attend, move, contribute – Join the sessions that interest you. Leave when you need to. It’s your day.

There are five breakout rooms. Sessions last 45 minutes.

Session types you might see

• Open discussion – A collective conversation on a shared theme.
• Deep dive – Exploring a challenge, question or work‑in‑progress idea.
• Showcase – Sharing an approach, tool or example (no slides required).
• Problem‑solving – Participants work together on a real challenge.
• Reflection space – Exploring ethical tensions, lived experience or emerging risks.

All formats are welcome as long as they’re inclusive, respectful and exploratory.

Guiding principles

We borrow from Open Space principles to keep things flowing:

Whoever comes are the right people

Attendance shapes the conversation. There’s no “wrong” group.

Whatever happens is the only thing that could have

We focus on what emerges, not what we expected.

It starts when it starts

Sessions begin as soon as the right people are ready.

Law of Mobility

If you’re not learning or contributing, you can move to another session at any time. It’s encouraged!

Roles on the day

To help the unconference run smoothly, a small team will support logistics, inclusion and flow:

• Lead hosts – Open and close the day, set the tone, introduce the code of conduct.
• Agenda wrangler – Helps organise the agenda wall and room allocation.
• Room stewards – Keep sessions on time, support accessibility, ensure notes are captured.
• Note capturers – Float between rooms to help document key points.
• Inclusion & safety lead – Point of contact for support, access and behavioural concerns.
• Logistics & tech runners – Manage materials, AV and wayfinding.

Accessibility and inclusion

We aim to create a welcoming, inclusive and genuinely safe space for all participants. On the day we will provide:

• Step‑free access and clear wayfinding
• Clear signage to rooms and facilities
• Room stewards for support
• A short, plain‑language code of conduct

If you have specific access needs please let us know. Our team is available to support you.

Materials and setup

Each room is equipped with:

• Whiteboards or flipcharts
• Thick marker pens
• Sticky notes (large, limited colour palette)
• Clear signage and room labels

The main space includes an agenda wall with time slots and room columns, built and updated throughout the day.

After the event

We’ll consolidate session notes, cluster insights, and share:

• event write‑up
• key themes and questions raised
• actions and owners (where relevant)
• suggestions for follow‑up conversations

Why this format?

The unconference model gives everyone a voice. It allows for:

• Real issues, not assumed ones
• Diversity of experience
• Space to test ideas, not defend them
• Collaboration over broadcasting
• Emergence over prescription

It reflects the values needed in ethical and inclusive AI work: openness, listening, responsiveness and shared ownership.

Ahead of the event, we ask all participants to please familiarise yourselves with our Code of Conduct in full.