18 May 2021
"Resilience: FOI & EIR During and After the Pandemic", online, 24-25 August 2021
You can now book your place for this year's Freedom of Information (FOI) Practitioners' Conference.
Dates: 24-25 August 2021 (mornings only)
Format: Online via Microsoft Teams
Theme: Resilience: FOI & EIR During and After the Pandemic
Every year the University of Dundee's Centre for Freedom of Information, in collaboration with the Scottish Information Commissioner, hosts a conference specifically designed to give anyone working in FOI for a Scottish public authority practical advice and opportunities for discussion as well as the latest updates and developments in the field.
Overview
This year's event will reflect on these extraordinary times - during which the importance of transparency and access to information is clearer than ever while those working in FOI are having to adapt to changes in ways of working and the legislation itself - and look forward to other developments expected in the coming months.
On a similar note, due to the continuing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the event is taking place online this year, which will also reduce the costs involved for delegates - the delegate fee is just £30 (with no travel required!) - and open it up to those who may not normally be able to attend in person. However, please note the conference is specifically aimed at FOI practitioners operating under the Scottish legislation.
Programme
The conference programme also has a new look, with the event split into two half-day sessions comprising a mix of presentation, authority case studies and facilitated discussions:
- Day One (Tuesday 24 August, 9:30am-12:30pm) will look back on FOI during the pandemic, including an opening address from the Scottish Information Commissioner, Daren Fitzhenry, and later a summary of the impact of Covid-19 on FOI in Scotland and case studies of how some authorities responded.
- Day Two (Wednesday 25 August, 9:30am-12:30pm) will focus on the future, with an analysis of the lessons to learn from the University of Dundee's research into the use of public access to environmental information, and discussions around new approaches to proactive publication and examples of authorities' FOI improvement projects.
View the full programme including workshop details via the Centre for FOI website. Speakers will be confirmed over the coming weeks so look out for updates via Twitter (follow @FOIScotland) and in the June edition of our email newsletter, Open Update.
Registration
Book your place now via the University of Dundee's online store. The University of Dundee is responsible for the administration of the conference including the booking system. The delegate fee is £30; no refunds can be offered but places can be transferred if required. A full privacy notice will be provided via the Centre for FOI website.
The conference is always extremely popular, so if you're interested in attending, book your place as soon as possible.