Batool Almarzouq
Research Project Manager, Alan Turing Institute, London, UK
Lead of Open Science Community Saudi Arabia
When
Pre-conference workshops: September 22, 2025, 2 – 5pm
Main unconference – Inaugural key lecture and come together: September 22, 2025, 5pm
Project work: September 23 – 24, 2025
Where
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum
Format
In presence only. Due to the highly interactive and collaborative unconference format, hybrid and remote participation will not be possible.
Language
The communication language of the unconference is English.
Programme Organizing Committee
About the Event
The format ‘Unconference’
Unconferences are participant-driven, interactive, unconventional meetings designed to maximize the informal exchanges and stimulating discussions that typically occur during networking breaks at traditional conferences. Unconference participants learn from conversations and activities, while collaborating to create something new.
Projects at the Unconference
The call for up to 10 projects to be addressed during the QUEST Unconference 2025 is open. Persons submitting project ideas that are selected, will act as Project Team Leaders. Details regarding the submission of projects can be found here.
.Projects may seek to improve any aspect of research culture and practice, including all phases of the research process. Examples may include projects related to open science, responsible research practices, team science, stakeholder engagement in research, diversity, equity and inclusion, research assessment reform, research funding allocation, or scholarly communication.
Attendees
Apart from the Project Team Leaders, the QUEST Unconference 2025 will receive around 150 attendees, with a focus on attracting early career researchers from many countries and fields. Additionally, we will invite mid-career and senior researchers, along with other stakeholders such as funders, publishers and editors, regulators, and leaders of research institutions to participate and contribute to projects that will enhance research culture and practice.
Work during and after the Unconference
Participants will register for working on a project during the QUEST Unconference 2025.
Project team sizes will be set in consultation with the Project Team Leaders and will not exceed 20 persons per group.
Registered participants will work in transdisciplinary project teams to co-create outputs leading to actionable solutions to improve research culture and practice. Potential outputs might include toolboxes, tools, grass roots initiatives, recommendations, or networks.
Outlook
The unconference will also include opportunities for cross-pollination and networking among different projects. At the culminating session, each group will briefly present what they accomplished, including challenges, outputs created during the unconference and plans for further work after the conference, including sharing experiences.
