SHE Academy 2020. The Do’s, Don’ts and Don’t Knows of Going Digital

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Going digital. It is a challenge we all got to face over the last couple of months. The organizers of SHE Academy 2020 proved to be true innovators by organizing a digital conference about going digital! The break-out sessions taught us how to collect data, how to communicate your research, and how to present yourself in the new normal. Those who attended will agree that it was an inspiring experience.

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More than sixty people from all over the world turned on their computers to join the event. Anique Atherley, who co-organized from her home in Barbados says: “there were so many people that came from all over the world. I thought that was fantastic, and it probably was more than it would have been at AMEE actually.” The program was especially adapted to the overwhelming amount of attendees. “Initially, we didn’t think it was going to be so many people, but we realized we needed to prepare for these numbers. We came up with the structure of having the plenary, then breaking out, and then closing again.”

Organizing SHE Academy online for the first time, meant overcoming some challenges. For example, in preparing her own session about digital data collection, Anique paid special attention to keeping it interactive. “Normally I would ask some poll questions here and there. Unfortunately, we learned we cannot use polls in break-out rooms, so then I had to reboot and use the chat function.” The organizers creativity was visible throughout the event. In order to overcome that awkward silence in ZOOM-meeting breaks (we all know that by now, right?) attendees listened to some smooth jazz music. “That was an idea of Kerry, to create a cozy ambience from a distance!”

Of course, the success is due to a fantastic organizing committee: Anique Atherley, Matt Charnetski, Tony Claeys, Stephanie Meeuwissen, Michelle Verheijden, Kerry Wilbur and Janneke Frambach. Special mention to Renee Stalmeijer as well who took over from Stephanie toward the end! This international collaboration sometimes meant setting alarm clocks very early or having an extra shot of espresso to be able to stay up late. “There were three time-zones to consider. Kerry was in Canada, Matt and I were in the same time zone and the rest were in Europe.” Nevertheless, they made it work and gifted us an amazing SHE Academy 2020!