Events Principles and Practices: a level playing field?
Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, AEME 2020 has been cancelled. Information for 2021 will be announced soon.
This page includes information that has been confirmed to date. It will be updated as more confirmations are made over the coming weeks.
In collaboration with the New Carnival Company and the Open Road carnival project, AEME 2021 is aimed at industry practitioners, researchers and educators with an interest in events research to share and discuss international events, festivals and carnivals.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS – deadline by 14th April 2021

Event Details
1 July 2021
9.30 - 17.00: Main conference
17.30 - 20.00: Evening showcase
20.15: Conference Supper
2 July 2021
9.00 - 15.30: Main conference
Jurys Inn Waterfront, Brighton, UK
We welcome presentations and other contributions to this conference that explore links between events principles and practices with particular reference to (although not limited to) conceptual issues such as access, belonging, participation and empowerment. The 2021 conference intends to provide a platform to further our understanding of the impacts of class, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, religious priorities and others on the production and consumption of events, festivals, carnivals, celebrations and spectacles. We also invite papers on wider aspects of international events, festivals and carnivals. As with previous conferences we welcome contributions from various academic disciplines and practices.
Key Features of the conference
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Be inspired by keynote speakers and workshop leaders from academia and industry.
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Explore accessibility, inclusivity and participation through presentation, workshops and round-table discussions.
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Learn from internationally pioneering accessibility projects
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Create national and international research, education, and collaboration networks.
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Enjoy the vibrant city of Brighton and Hove by the sea in Sussex.
Key Dates
Abstract submission: 14th April 2021
Registration deadline: 18th June 2021
Conference: 1st - 2nd July 2021
Keynote Sessions
Bringing industry and academia together in this international conference creates opportunities for excellent key note sessions on best practice and cutting edge research around accessibility, inclusivity, and empowerment across a wide range of events and festivals.
Confirmed speakers for 2021 include Prof. Gayle McPherson (University of West Scotland) and Serge Attukwei Clottey (Founder of GoLokal and artist, Ghana).
Costs
There is one complementary place per institution for AEME members to attend the conference. All other attendees are required to pay in accordance with the rates below:
AEME member: £250
Non AEME member: £275*
Conference fee includes: two day conference keynotes and presentations; lunches and refreshments, delegate pack, entry to the evening showcase at the Sallis Benney Theatre and traditional fish’n’chips at Harry Ramsdens opposite Brighton Pier.
* Bursaries are available to support twenty inclusive carnival artists and/or outdoor arts practitioners to attend the conference. If you are interested in taking up a bursary, please contact Chris or Frankie at The New Carnival Company for a more detailed conversation via email at chris@thenewcarnivalcompany.com
Indicative Programme (draft*)
Wednesday 30 June 2021
19.30
Early arrivals and drinks at Jury's Inn Waterfront, Brighton (Sea View Lounge)
Thursday 1 July 2021
09.30
Arrival and refreshments
10.00
10.20
11.05
11.55
Welcome and introductions to AEME 2021 Brighton
Keynote speakers
13.00
Lunch at Jury's Inn Waterfront
14.15
15.20
15.40
16.45
Parallel papers, workshops and presentations
Refreshments
Parallel papers, workshops and presentations
Break and transfer to Sallis Benney Theatre, Centre for Contemporary Arts, University of Brighton (10 mins walk)
Thursday 1 July 2021 - Evening Programme - to be confirmed nearer the time
Friday 2 July 2021
09.15
AEME AGM
10.10
10.55
11.40
12.00
Welcome to Day two and Keynote speaker
Keynote speaker
Refreshments
Parallel papers, workshops and presentations
13.00
Lunch at Jury's Inn Waterfront
13.50
14.55
15.15
Parallel papers, workshops and presentations
Conference wrap
End
* All timing and presentations are subject to change. Additional details will be added when available
Accommodation, booking and travel
Booking: Click here to book your conference place
Accommodation
Brighton has a wide variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets. Accommodation can be found here
Venue
The conference venue is Jurys Inn Brighton Waterfront, King's Road, Brighton, BN1 2GS.
The evening showcase event will be at the Sallis Benney Theatre, Brighton Centre for Contemporary Arts, 58-67 Grand Parade, BN1 1AP
Travelling to Brighton and Hove
Getting to Brighton and Hove is easy. It’s just under an hour by rail from London and only half an hour from London Gatwick Airport.
Click here for general information on accessibility in Brighton & Hove
Public Transport
The city is also served by a direct rail link from Eurostar Service at St Pancras or directly from Ashford International, as well as easily accessible from the major ports of Dover, Portsmouth, Southampton and the local port of Newhaven. National Express coaches also regularly service the city.
Click here for accessible transport in Brighton
Travelling by car
Driving to Brighton and Hove. There are excellent public transport links into Brighton and Hove, but should you decide to drive to the city, the following information should help you plan your journey.
Orange/Blue Badge holders can park free and for unlimited time in Voucher Parking spaces and in on-street pay & display spaces in Brighton & Hove.
Additionally Blue Badge holders with a clock are allowed to park on yellow lines for up to three hours, provided they are not causing an obstruction.
Driving to Brighton from London. Taking approximately 90 minutes, London to Brighton is about 50 miles. Take the A23/M23 south until you reach Brighton.
Driving to Brighton from Kent and the South East. If you are travelling to Brighton from the East or West use the A27.
Parking
The nearest public car park to Jury Inn Waterfront is The Lanes, Black Lion Street,Brighton, BN1 1ND
List of Brighton & Hove car parks
Organising Committee
Dr Mandy Curtis
Dr Clare Weeden
Dr Michael Williams (Chair, Scientific Committee)
Contact details
If you have any queries please contact: M.curtis3@brighton.ac.uk or Mandy@18Hours.org.uk
Conference Partners





