British International Studies Association Conference 2022

The British International Studies Association Conference 2022 (BISA) is renowned for being inclusive, diverse and friendly. It brings together a worldwide community of specialists to discuss, promote and develop international studies.

Background of the event:

The British International Studies Association Conference 2022 was a three day hybrid event held in June 2022. The conference focused on surrounding topics about global challenges and international politics.

The main conference was for those studying or teaching International Politics at UK universities and increasingly attracts participants from the rest of the world, too. 

Image Credit: Simon Veit Wilson

Interview with Jocelyn Mawdsley, Professor of European Politics at Newcastle University:

Why did you choose NewcastleGateshead as the location for your event? 

NewcastleGateshead is a wonderfully vibrant and friendly city with two first- class universities and excellent transport networks from the rest of the UK, Europe and the world. There was a variety of accommodation on offer to suit different budgets and plenty of restaurants, bars and nightlife as well as rolling countryside and historical sites close by. 

 Which venues did you use for your event and what attracted you to them?  

We chose the Newcastle Civic Centre and Newcastle University Student Union to hold our panel discussions and round-tables. We used the Wylam Brewery for the reception as it was affordable, and it had suitable spaces to hold our events. 

Image Credit: Simon Veit Wilson

How did NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau support you along the way, did the support meet your expectations? 

Caroline Reed, Senior Manager of Business Events, NewcastleGateshead Initiative helped the team from Newcastle University (who were bidding to host the event) put together an attractive bid with multiple possible conferences and reception venues. She accompanied the BISA team on several location visits, provided assets to use in our promotions and set up a hotel booking site. Her support far outweighed expectations. 

Did the venue meet your brief/ expectations and how? 

The Civic Centre team went above and beyond to cater for every request we put to them. Tony Daly-Brant, the event lead, was excellent throughout, handling last minute requests and unexpected challenges as they arose. This included dealing with delegate complaints about the unprecedented heat wave, allowing delegates to hold panels in open communal spaces with ventilation, and moving rooms around at the last minute.   

Image Credit: Simon Veit Wilson

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important, especially in business events. Did your event take any measures to be more sustainable? 

We used tap water rather than bottled water in the conference. We made sure that all published material was digital. We asked colleagues to declare if they would be attending lunches to cut down on food waste and encourage the use of public transport to travel to and around the city. 

Was there anything that made the event particularly memorable?  

The Wylam Brewery was a spectacular location to hold our reception with delegates enjoying the spaciousness of the venue and its location by the lake. It was seen as an impressive and attractive venue.