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Job Specification : Conference Manager – Digital BAAS Conference 2021

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Job Specification : Conference Manager – Digital BAAS Conference 2021

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Job Specification : Conference Manager – Digital BAAS Conference 2021

 

Summary of Role

The British Association for American Studies (BAAS) is seeking a Conference Manager to oversee the planning and running of its 66th Annual Convention — its first to be hosted entirely remotely — which will be held online on 6-11 April 2021.

 

The Conference Manager will be responsible for the successful preparation for, and running of, the digital conference in accordance with BAAS’s twin principles of accessibility and sustainability.

 

The decision to host a virtual conference pre-dates the Covid pandemic. As part of the ‘Green BAAS’ agenda, we are committed to reflecting upon the environmental impact of our activities, and to making positive changes to combat climate catastrophe. A digital conference presents the opportunity not only to minimise international travel, but also to highlight the work of members working in the environmental humanities, and to reflect critically upon the culture of academic conferences.

 

Furthermore, we hope that the reduced costs associated with a virtual event will facilitate the participation of American Studies students and scholars across the globe, and will help generate new and productive networks and collaborations.

 

Applications for this position are particularly encouraged from under-represented groups in UK higher education, as part of BAAS’ active commitment to class, regional, racial, ethnic, gender and sexual diversity.

 

Duties will involve:

  • Researching digital events platforms and liaising with providers to build an accessible, user-friendly, and cost-effective conference platform
  • Leading a steering committee to building a schedule of sessions and exploring appropriate session formats
  • Populating and maintaining the chosen conference platform, including uploading asynchronous materials, moderating discussion boards, scheduling sessions
  • Providing technical support and guidance for speakers/contributors before and during the conference
  • Compiling and disseminating publicity materials using appropriate channels
  • Managing delegate registration and fielding associated queries
  • Communicating with advertisers
  • Managing the conference’s social media strategy up to and during the event
  • Collecting and compiling delegate feedback (and basic analysis of user statistics) following the conference

 

We conceive this role as an ideal position for an Early Career Researcher or postdoctoral member of the BAAS community aiming to gain valuable transferable organisational experience.

 

Location

This role is a remote role and there are no citizenship or location requirements. The expectation is that the position will involve UK working hours.

 

Hours Pro Rata

0.1 role (rising to 0.5 late March to early April 2021)

 

Salary

£6,000 (for an estimated 200 hours work between November 2020 and May 2021), paid monthly pro rata.

 

How to Apply

Applicants should send a one-page CV and a two-page covering letter to conferencesupport@baas.ac.uk indicating how you meet the below criteria, and outlining ideas you might have for running this event.

 

For any questions please contact Dr. Tom F. Wright, Chair of the Conferences Sub-committee at: tom.wright@sussex.ac.uk

 

Deadline for Applications

30 September 2020

 

Dates of Employment

November 2020-May 2021

 

Essential Criteria

  • Knowledge and understanding of UK American Studies
  • Experience of organising large-scale academic events
  • Proven organisational and administrative experience
  • Experience with web-management and digital communication

 

 

Desired Criteria 

  • Experience of the management of digital events and digital migration in the Covid-19 era
  • Extensive experience with web-management and digital communication
  • Experience of organising major international events
  • A postgraduate degree in American Studies or another cognate discipline (including, but not confined to: literary studies, history, cultural studies, media studies, film studies, politics, geography, criminology, sociology, law)
  • Experience of UK academic, cultural and/or educational institutions

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