event diy

Running your own event? These pages are intended for the use of scientists, communicators and those organising dialogue events. They contain all the information you will need to plan and run a dialogue event in your venue.

Print off documents from this site, and read our advice on how to use them.

background information

What makes an effective event
– the science museum’s dialogue model

Essential points to consider before you plan your event. This section outlines the characteristics of a successful dialogue event and the pitfalls that should be avoided.

Indicators of Dialogue

How can I spot dialogue? Find out how much dialogue is occurring at your events when you use our indicators of dialogue. This will give you examples of different kinds of dialogue so you know what to look out for in your own event.

Controversy in Events

Will people talk? Introducing an element of controversy into your topic will help to engage the audience. Here we give advice on what kind of controversy will get people talking, and suggest how you can make a topic controversial.

Past events

Before running an event, it's worth looking at some past events to see what worked and what didn't work, and to figure out which format you want to use for your event.

Performance events

Details of previous events involving performance.

Talk shows

Dialogue events based on the familiar television format

Multi format events

Events that were made up of more than one format at once

Gaming

Events that have used games as the basis for dialogue

In conversation

Variations on the traditional panel debate

plan your event: steps to a better event

Planning Guidelines

What are the main issues to consider when you plan your event? This will outline the key stages in planning your dialogue event. Don't forget to look at Evaluate Your Event at this stage too.

objectives document

Share information about your event by using the comprehensive objectives document. Once completed, this will hold all the information you and others need to know about your event.

Briefing the Chair / Speakers

How to give the speakers and chair all the information they need to ensure that genuine dialogue occurs at your event.

event checklist

Forgotten anything? The event checklist gives you a timeline to help you plan your event from 4 weeks before your event to the day itself.

Evaluation Guidelines

Why is evaluation useful? These guidelines describe what you can expect to find out from your evaluation, and provide some advice before you start.

Writing Questionnaires

Here we advise you on the diferent types of questionnaire and how to write them. There is also information on analysing the data once your questionnaires are completed.

Observe Your Event

How do you know if your event is successful? This section shows you what you can look out for in your own event and gives advice on this basic method of evaluation.

Audience Questionnaire

This questionnaire suggests what you can ask audience members to find out whether or not your event has achieved its aims.

Speaker Interview

What did the speakers think of your event? The speaker interview is a sample questionnaire to ask your speakers after the event.

Focus Groups

Focus groups are an ideal way to consult your audience on specific questions and find out detailed information that you need. This document provides you with guidelines on both recruiting and running a focus group.

Evaluation Report

An example of an evaluation report, this details what we learnt from one of our previous events and the things we wanted to change for our future event planning.