Access Information
We’ve worked hard to make the BSA Postgraduate Forum Pre-Conference Day as accessible as possible for all delegates. Below is some information about various forms of participation in the conference as well as building and room information.
The Conference
Affordability: We’ve tried to make the conference as affordable as possible. Currently the cost of the BSA Postgraduate Forum Pre-Conference Day is £20 for BSA members and £40 for non-members. This delegate fee goes to pay for the room hire and quality catering throughout the day.
Content: The BSA Postgraduate Forum Pre-Conference Day features a wide range of academic topics. Some of these may draw on difficult emotional experiences, narratives of violence and exclusion, or sexual content. We are sensitive to the experiences our delegates bring with them to these events; as such all our speakers have been asked to give content notes or warnings during their presentations with respect to preparing the audience for difficult topics or discussions. We hope that this will enable delegates to make informed decisions regarding their interaction with the conference. If you need to leave the room, we are happy for you to do so. Conference Aston has open spaces with comfortable seating areas where you can sit quietly. We also have access to an alternative meeting room where you are welcome to sit. Please feel free to use this room, or the outside space, if you feel you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the conference.
Complete abstracts are available for each session. Abstracts can be accessed by clicking here. Again, if you would like to contact us ahead of the conference to discuss content, please get in touch – PGForum@britsoc.org.uk
Recording: The Postgraduate Forum intend to record all paper sessions and the keynote delivered at the Pre-Conference Day. These will be made available on our website for those who wish to hear the papers again, or who could not attend the event.
The Q&A after each paper will not be recorded, nor will the Careers Roundtable. This is in order to facilitate free debate protect the privacy of speakers and audience who may be discussing personal issues.
Asking a Question: Sometimes asking a question is hard! We realise that people may not want to speak publicly for a number of reasons. For our Careers Roundtable we will be using a ‘drop box’ placed on the Registration Desk for people to anonymously submit questions to our panel. We will collect questions in the break times throughout the day and put a selection of these to our panel, in addition to questions from the room. Slips of paper will be provided in your delegate pack for this, and we strongly encourage this form of participation.
Catering: The BSA Postgraduate Forum Conference is fully vegetarian/vegan. When booking delegates are able to inform us of any further dietary requirements.
If you have concerns regarding allergens/proximity of allergens please email either the BSA Events team or the Postgraduate Forum Convenors to discuss this further: events@britsoc.org.uk or PGForum@britsoc.org.uk
Socialising: We want to make the BSA Postgraduate Forum Pre-Conference Day a friendly and welcoming conference. We have plans to go out in the evening for post-conference drinks and will select a suitable accessible venue for this which will be close to the Conference Aston building. Everyone who wants to join is welcome, and we’ll all walk there together. From here, delegates are welcome to make their own dinner plans.
Childcare: Unfortunately, Conference Aston does not provide childcare facilities. If you would like to discuss your options with a convenor, please do contact us.
The Building and Rooms
The BSA Postgraduate Forum Pre-Conference Day is held at Aston University, Birmingham. We are based at the Conference Aston Meeting Suites, located in the university building. On arrival there are 12 steps to get to the ground floor; there is also a stair lift to assist guests.
Our conference will take place in the Steelhouse Rooms on the ground floor.
Lunch takes place in the Litchfield lounge adjacent to our rooms.
The Conference Aston website details various ways of getting to the building and their downloadable guides will help you plan your journey:
By Road and Booking Car Parking
Please also see the campus map here. This includes information on parking.
BSA Postgraduate Forum 