Open Space Technology

(The Copenhagen Interpretation)

Think of it like we invited you to an informal house party. Arrive when you want to, leave when you want to, do what you want to do while you’re here. Participate, or just watch, it’s up to you. Normal social interaction rules apply. No-one will be offended if you arrive in the middle of the party, metaphorically stay in the kitchen playing with the dog, and then go home early.

Family Tree

We have adapted the principles of a process called Open Space Technology, which was realised by a man called Harrison Owen who applied it to the world of corporate conferencing and conflict resolution. The Copenhagen Interpretation of Open Space has slightly different applications, and is therefore described differently. Nonetheless, we stand on the shoulders of the giant that is Harrison’s original version. Jenifer Toksvig first experienced Open Space Technology through a theatre company who use it to benefit their creativity, and their industry peers. They are called Improbable.

What does Open Space mean to us?

We have adapted Open Space Technology to serve our specific storytelling and people gathering intentions. In practical terms, it is a set of principles we apply to every gathering we have. Because our gatherings can vary from email contact, to online chat, to in-person events, we use these principles to ensure a consistency of experience. Open Space is, at its core, a quantum process rather than a binary one. Instead of setting up a strict system to be followed, we use the principles to enable us to mimic nature and be responsive to the actions and needs of the people at the gathering. Our energies, our moods, intentions, passions, are ever-changing and unpredictable from day to day, and the principles not only acknowledge this, but embrace it. The Copenhagen Interpretation believes that there is no such thing as a ‘safe space’ - but there can be a supported space where we attempt to prioritise everyone being as comfortable as possible. Or at least, comfortable enough to linger, even in uncomfortable moments. At our gatherings, people have normal social freedoms. We accept everyone’s ultimate freedom to leave if they don’t like something, but we also embrace continuous freedom of agency, of consent, the freedom to do what you want and need, when you want or need it, in order to navigate your own journey, through your own experience, from the moment you arrive until the moment you emerge.

What actually happens?

Typically, our Open Space gatherings go like this:

An invitation will be made beforehand, which describes what this gathering is about. It might be a general gathering about the project, or a specific gathering within the world of the story. Or both.

We’ll share a start time, which is when we intend to be in that place ready to gather. This will be mainly about three things: when we as hosts are able to be there, what time we’re allowed to be in that place, and how long it takes us to set up anything we need to set up. Often, setting up the place will be a thing we can all do together.

People arrive whenever they arrive, depending on things they can control, and things they can’t.

When a bunch of people are there, we explain the details of the gathering. We call this “Opening the space”.

At this point, people might say things they’d like to do, or talk about, or ask. We refer to this as “Calling sessions”. Other people can then think about whether they’d like to join in with those things.

Then people do those things. Or they don’t. Or they do other things.

Throughout the gathering, maybe some more people arrive. Maybe some people leave.

Some people might say new things they want to do or talk about. Stuff happens. There might be cake.

At the end, before we have to be out of that place, we like to check in with everyone who is still there. We call this a “closing circle” and it will take as long as it takes.

The time comes when we have to be out of that place. If we need to, we take down anything we have set up. This is often a thing that everyone can help with.