Summary
Lou Rosenfeld from Rosenfeld Media welcomed attendees to the fourth Advancing Research Conference in 2023, acknowledging the difficulties researchers face during the economic downturn and the record number of scholarship applications, especially from recently unemployed participants. Lou stressed the long-term importance of research in helping organizations make better decisions and encouraged perseverance in the profession. The conference is curated into three thematic days: research as a transformational force led by Victor Unawaya, researchers as organizational change makers by Chris Geeson, and transforming the research craft by Jim Ahmed. Lou introduced the MC, Bria, a senior design program manager at Adobe, known for her humor and facilitation skills. The conference includes main paid content alongside a robust and optional sponsor program from companies such as Dovetail, Maze, and UserTesting, which are free and provide high-value sessions without sales pitches. Lou highlighted community-building efforts including Slack channels for engagement, support, and cohort participation, as well as social activities like networking games. She encouraged participation in digital swag bags, explained access to notes and sketchnotes by MJ Broadband, and emphasized the community’s code of conduct for respect and support. Overall, Lou framed the event as a vital moment for researchers to connect, learn, and sustain their craft through challenging times.
Key Insights
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The Advancing Research Conference is in its fourth year and has grown significantly, now hosting over 400 attendees with many on scholarships.
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Economic downturns heavily impact researchers, often leading to layoffs, but the demand for research skills remains critical.
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The conference is organized around three core themes curated by respected industry figures: Victor Unawaya, Chris Geeson, and Jim Ahmed.
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Sponsor sessions provide valuable content complementary to the main program and are freely accessible to anyone.
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Slack is the primary platform for community interaction, Q&A, and technical support during the conference.
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The conference delivers professionalism and inclusivity by enforcing a clear code of conduct and accessible support channels.
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Professional sketchnotes by MJ Broadband are provided to capture session highlights, reducing attendee note-taking burden.
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Social and networking activities are embedded into the conference to strengthen community bonds and peer support.
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Digital swag bags replace physical giveaways to provide attendees with useful resources and offers remotely.
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The conference aims not just to share knowledge but to inspire resilience and collective advancement in challenging times for researchers.
Notable Quotes
"Researchers have really taken it on the chin during this latest economic downturn."
"The world really needs what researchers like you bring to the table."
"This is absolutely not the time for us to be throwing our hands up in the air and giving up on research."
"We’ve never had so many scholarship applications for one of our conferences."
"Bria is the bringer of dad jokes and the glue of the conference."
"Sponsor sessions are optional, free, and offer really high content, not sales pitches."
"Slack is where the real party is happening — if you’re not there, you’re missing out."
"You don’t need to take notes; we have sketchnotes and resources that will be shared soon after sessions."
"Our code of conduct ensures that everyone feels safe, comfortable, and supported here."
"The conference is a community obligated to treat each other with respect and kindness."
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