Knowing your public(s) : The significance of audiences in public history

Abstract

From April 17 to 20th, 2013, the National Council on Public History (NCPH) will return to Canada to hold its annual meeting with its joint host, the newly established International Federation for Public History. The NCPH meeting model is unlike most historical conferences in Canada, and in addition to the typical panel sessions, it includes hands-on skill-based workshops; working groups which begin discussions before the conference and often produce a best practices or policy paper; a THAT Camp (The Humanities and Technology Camp), a digital ‘unconference’ workshop; a free public plenary; formal networking opportunities for graduate students and new professionals; two minute Lightning Talks which showcase digital projects; a poster session; Dine Arounds which pair facilitated discussion with dinner; and tours of the city and Ottawa museums. Together, the joint conference offers four packed days with over sixty sessions and over twenty tours, workshops, and special events.