November 2024
ISTR is a voluntary scholarly society that supports research on theatre and performance in Ireland and internationally. The society acknowledges that there are significant issues regarding equal access to conferences and related events as a result of infrastructure, resources and inherited working practices within academia. This policy outlines how ISTR aims to mitigate against some of the barriers that prevent equitable access to such events hosted by/in association with the organisation. Where possible, and in so much as is possible within the modest resources that ISTR possesses, the organisation is committed to supporting fair access to events and resources for all scholars and artists who wish to participate. Host institutions for annual conferences and events may differ in the level of support they can offer. Regardless of institutional-specific supports, ISTR commits to:
- Creating, and promoting, flexible engagement opportunities, such as:
- Conference fee negotiation (reductions and/or waiver) for scholars/artists who are full-time residents of and mainly associated with institutions based in Global Majority countries or for scholars/students/artists who identify as socioeconomically disadvantaged and/or are from underrepresented groups. [1]
- A level of hybrid conference participation for scholars/artists participating from Global Majority countries and/or from scholars/artists with specific needs, to the extent that the host institution can support this.
- Providing clear information on the ISTR website about flexible engagement options for events and who to contact in relation to availing of these options.
Where conference or event participation cannot be supported satisfactorily, the ISTR committee will endeavor to produce future hybrid or online events that enable scholars to present their work in a public forum and receive feedback from peers. ISTR has already taken steps towards this in its webinar series that is recorded and posted to the ISTR YouTube channel.
- Promoting equality and accommodating diversity, such as:
- Advocating for accessible conference/events venues for ISTR events.
- Hosting hybrid events on accessible platforms where closed captions can be utilised, for example.
- Writing letters of support for VISA travel applications, where appropriate.
- Encouraging diversity in conference/event programming.
- Evaluating our policy and practice, such as:
- Making visible commitments to equality. [2]
- Reviewing the Fair Access policy on a yearly basis.
Direct queries regarding further support mechanisms should be addressed to directly to the hosts of ISTR events and will be considered on a case-by-case basis considering available resources and with a view to ensuring that ISTR can offer appropriate support per delegate. If you have suggestions for how ISTR may strengthen its policy regarding access or other policies, please email us at ‘info@istr.ie’.
Notes:
- Government of Ireland (2022) National Access Plan: A Strategic Action Plan for Equity of Access, Participation and Success in Higher Education 2022-2028, available: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b156c-national-access-plan-2022-to-2028/.
- Ciara L. Murphy, Rachel Parry, Sarah Hoover, Conall Ó Duibhir, Michael Lydon, Gráinne Pollak, Olwen Dawe Keishia Taylor, and Brenda Donohue (2024) Amplify: A Call for Transformative Action: Pathways to Dignity, Respect and Equity in Ireland’s Creative Arts Sectors, available: https://www.safetocreate.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ITIS2C_Amplify_2024_Report_INSIDE_With_Appendix_WEB.pdf (p. 46).