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Why an Unconference?
BetaNYC grew from organizing community events based on the “open space” model. We love NYC School of Data, yet can’t always fit in all the things we want to discuss.
As our communities face unprecedented challenges, we’re introducing UnSchool of Data alongside our annual NYC School of Data conference. This Day 2 unconference creates space for NYC’s open data and public interest tech communities to come together, deliberate, share knowledge, and build solidarity through open data.
Unschool of Data extends the conversations sparked during Open Data Week and NYC School of Data Day 1. It’s a place to organize with your community, propose the sessions on subjects you care about, and work collectively on ideas that can help make NYC work better for everyone.
Opinions shared at UnSchool of Data are governed by BetaNYC’s Code of Conduct and Anti-harassment policy and are not representative of Fund for the City of New York/BetaNYC nor funders of Fund for the City of New York/BetaNYC’s programs.
How it works
The day begins with a blank page, a schedule (aka “The Board”), that is empty except for time slots and room locations. After informally brainstorming over breakfast, we will gather for a facilitated Brainstorm-and-Pitch session during which anyone can propose a session by writing the proposal on a session card and submitting it to the pitch wall.
UnSchool of Data sessions can take many forms: discussions, workshops, demos, or mini-hackathons, and cover a variety of data-focused topics like civic technology, housing, climate, transportation, education, and more. Once the round of pitches is complete and initial sessions are voted on, the first block of sessions kicks off and participants decide which to attend. Participants who propose a session are expected to attend that session and step in as leader/facilitator.
The Board
Top: Blank Unconference session board / Bottom: Populated Unconference session board
The Board is where the schedule lives.
It’s a large physical grid showing times and spaces for sessions. At UnSchool of Data, there will be three time windows (one hour each) and ~10 session locations inside CUNY School of Law.
So we’ll have about ~30 total slots for sessions, although there may be some adjustments depending on the total number of attendees.
The Pitch Wall
During the brainstorming and pitch time, sessions will be added and rearranged in open time slots by BetaNYC volunteers using submitted session cards with titles and short descriptions. Participants can browse the Board (both physical and virtual) throughout the day to see what’s happening and where to go next. Sessions may be added or shifted as the day goes on—check back often!
Pitch wall where participants post and vote on sessions.
Often, participants will suggest sessions with similar titles or aims. Rather than filling up the schedule with similar sessions, BetaNYC volunteers may ask participants to co-lead with each other.
How to Propose a Session
At Unschool of Data, you shape the agenda. Instead of a pre-set schedule, participants pitch session ideas on the day of the event.
Pitching a session starts with an idea, something you’d like to explore, change, or improve using open data in the city. Ideas can be big or small, from mapping green space to building a bike lane dashboard for your neighborhood. You don’t need to be an expert, just curious and excited to explore your idea with others.
Sessions are peer-led and collaborative, not presentations. As a facilitator, your role is to guide the conversation and make space for everyone to participate.
Live session pitches happen at the top of the day and session pitch cards will be made available on site.