Submissions for the 2022 conference have now closed. Explore the 2022 programme here.
The UK Communities Conference 2022: An Exploration of Communal and Intentional Living
8–10 July 2022, Braziers Park, Ipsden, OX10 6AN
Call for contributions.
Amid political polarisation, environmental chaos, consumerism, inequality, and loneliness, there is an overwhelming need for us to change the way we live. This need has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has revealed deep problems with our present culture. Across the UK, there is a growing interest in communal living and other alternative lifestyles.
The UK Communities Conference 2022 (8–10 July) will be an exploration of communal living in Britain. The event will include introductions to existing communities, discussions around the value and practice of communal living, and information for anyone interested in joining or founding a community.1
Braziers Park School is now inviting community members, researchers, and anyone else with an interest to get involved! Contributions could include:
- Community introductions. These will be talks by community members describing their way of life and values, followed by Q+A. We hope that diverse communities will be represented (large, small, secular, spiritual, off-grid, etc.). Introductions could also take the format of a poster or display
- Community-forming experiences: If you’ve been involved in setting up a community, we’d be interested in hearing it. (This could include lessons learned from unsuccessful projects.)
- Research on the benefits of communal living: We’d like to hear from researchers exploring all aspects of communal living, especially when this reveals less-recognised reasons to consider communal and alternative lifestyles
- Histories of communal living: The history of communal living in the UK has rarely been told in detail; we’d be keen to hear from anyone who can share this knowledge, especially where it can inform current practice
- Other contributions: We welcome any other contributions that might be of interest to attendees (for example: workshops on conflict resolution or community finance; proposals for collaboration between communities; sessions purely for fun). Not everything needs to be based around thinking and talking; we’re open to more experimental offers if they fit the theme
The conference will include all meals from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime, plus camping in our camping field, and there will be a party with a bonfire and entertainment on the Saturday night.
Anyone who gives a talk or leads a session can attend for free, with a contribution towards their travel expenses. For other attendees, there will be a registration fee of £90 to cover estimated costs (£45 for those on low incomes). Attendees who wish to stay in the house here will be invited to make separate bookings closer to the event (prices tbc).
If you’d be interested in running a workshop, giving a talk, or contributing in any other way, please contact communitiesconference@braziers.org.uk. We will open the event for regular bookings early next year.