A peep into the power dynamics at educational conferences… Mansoor Raza

Power dynamics in educational conferences often overshadow the primary goal of knowledge dissemination. These dynamics manifest in various ways, influencing interactions, decision-making and overall outcomes. This write-up explores some of the key areas where power plays a role, such as speaker selection, panel composition, networking opportunities and implicit bias.

For the choice of the topic, the “big boss” often dominates educational conferences, wielding significant influence over the agenda and decision-making. Their perceived authority and expertise can marginalise alternative perspectives and shape the overall conference narrative. Despite their “democratic” demeanor, the big boss often operates with a “my way or the highway” mentality.

The power vested in organising committee by the “competent” authority in selecting speakers and determining keynote addresses leads pleasing of the big boss as the key note speaker, amplification of certain voices while marginalising others based on factors like loyalty, reputation, institutional affiliations, future stakes or alignment with the organiser’s personal preferences.

The composition of panels and discussion groups, that depends on who knows whom, can reflect power imbalances, with dominant voices overshadowing marginalised perspectives. The search of established names is another factor. Power dynamics influence who gets invited to speak and whose expertise is valued, reinforcing existing hierarchies within academia. The biggest casualty is the consideration of morality of the invitee that does not appear at all as a consideration on the radars of the decision makers. There are those who want to maximise the opportunity to cater to their insatiable appetite for young girls and students particularly at tea/lunch breaks. The young ones usually fall to the trap of the academic quakes because either it’s a matter of temporary interaction which needs to be overlooked (out of respect for old age) or they have to survive or their ambitions in life tell them he is a jackpot. In the shallow waters of academia shrimps make fool of dragons.

During Q&A sessions, power dynamics often influence who gets to ask questions and whose questions are prioritised. Attendees with institutional prestige or social capital may dominate, while marginalised voices may feel less empowered to participate. Difficult questions are often avoided, and moderators may use their skills to deflect critical inquiry. This can create a hostile or unwelcoming environment for certain participants, limiting their opportunities for meaningful engagement.

In the name of networking, lunch and tea are the epitome of power dynamics, where established scholars, influential figures, political pundits and persons of ATM reputation receive more sycophancy ridden attention; served the lunch exclusively (outside the queue); have more snacks and cookies at tea; and earn fake laughter through their dumb and redundant jokes, leaving others feeling excluded, distasteful or overlooked. Such thugs get themselves filled with “false self-consciousness” of grandeur.

Educational conferences often involve the allocation of resources such as funding, space and promotional opportunities. Power dynamics can influence how these resources are distributed, with certain individuals or institutions receiving preferential treatment based on their status or connections. Those “money can buy everything” type of mindsets often tries to alter the agenda or the schedule of the program with unbearable naivety.

Based on gender, ethnicity, sect and faith, power differentials also manifest through implicit bias and micro-aggressions, with marginalised individuals and groups facing subtle and wooly forms of discrimination or exclusion based on their identity, background or perspective. Unfortunately, those who learned to muddle through such behaviours often, when get to power position, do the same as their predecessor have done to them, proving Nietzsche right that “if you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.”

Recognising and addressing the above-mentioned power imbalances is essential for creating more inclusive and equitable conference environments and to meet the very objective of such conference – dissemination of knowledge in an unbiased manner.

Courtesy The Express Tribune