The importance of networking and collaboration cannot be overstated, particularly in fields where research and practice intersect on an international level. Academics and practitioners alike stand to benefit greatly from participating in the conferences and workshops, where they can exchange ideas and share knowledge. One of the most significant benefits of attending the events is the opportunity to address specific challenges that participants may be facing in their work.
For example, in certain industries, professions, etc. there may be existing language structures or conventions that make it challenging to incorporate gender-inclusive language. Participants may struggle with finding appropriate alternatives or adapting their language use to promote inclusivity while maintaining clarity and effectiveness. Other participants might have difficulty translating the concept of gender-inclusive language into practical application. They may face challenges in identifying specific instances where gender biases are present, modifying their language use accordingly, and ensuring consistent implementation across various forms of communication (written, spoken, online). Also, different cultures and regions may have varying norms and expectations regarding gender and language. Participants working in multicultural or international settings might encounter challenges in navigating these complexities while striving to promote gender fairness.
By coming together with others who have faced similar challenges, they can find solutions and potentially solve their problems with the help of the group’s collective expertise. Another advantage of attending the conferences and workshops is the chance to learn about best practices and successful strategies from other participants. This knowledge sharing benefits everyone involved, as participants can draw inspiration and insights from each other’s experiences. Beyond the immediate benefits of solving problems and sharing knowledge, participating in these events can also lead to the establishment of future contacts and networks. By meeting and getting to know other academics and practitioners, participants can form relationships that may prove valuable in the future. This is especially the case when an interdisciplinary approach like ours is used.
Apart from the participating academics and practitioners, also academics and practitioners who do not have the opportunity to directly contribute to the Research Networking Project, can benefit: All five research network events will be held online, and archived on the project website. The entire networking project, as well as the five individual networking events, will be announced on relevant mailing lists such as our Jiscmail Gender-Inclusive Language, the latter with currently around 300 subscribed academics and practitioners. In addition, the project website will contain relevant abstracts and PowerPoint presentations.
Moreover, the workshops will lead to significant output: The two academic workshops, i.e. the one on terminology, and the one on state of research and desiderata, will result in one edited volume each, to be published by a company of excellent standing. The workshop for practitioners will result in a stakeholder targeted report, to contain the key highlights, findings, and recommendations resulting from the workshop. This document will be disseminated among the project participants, and also for interested outsiders via the project website.
Dr Falco Pfalzgraf (QMUL), Organiser of the Research Networking Project