In the autumn of 1986 I proposed the establishment of a
British Research Symposium devoted exclusively to graphological issues.
Less than twelve months later one of our most famous University towns
welcomed well over a hundred people from ten countries to the first Symposium.
Paul Ferguson had the commitment to turn my original idea into reality at
Oxford in 1987. In 1989, John Blomfield and The British Institute of
Graphologists took responsibility for the organisation of a second Symposium
held at Cambridge University. Events
such as this are essential for the academic and public acceptance of graphology.
One of the symposium delegates asked me why I pushed to make
the Symposium happen. The
answer is quite simple - interest and conscience. After several years of
exposure to graphology, I have become convinced that it can be a valuable tool
in all walks of life. The
applications range from personnel management to criminal investigations; from teaching to marriage guidance. Its uniqueness gives it a 'market position'
unparalleled by competing techniques. By appreciating the value of handwriting
inspection and realising that it does have limitations, my conscience pushed me
to read on.
Bruno Hauptman was executed in 1935 after a trial for
kidnapping and murder. The debate
about his guilt continues to this day. The
evidence drew heavily on the testimony of handwriting experts.
There is good reason to suggest that handwriting-related knowledge denied
this man the experiences that were denied to the victim of the original crime.
Wilson Harrison was not a graphologist, but a 'handwriting
expert'. In his book aimed at police and private investigators, he criticised
graphologists for not being able to 'demonstrate their science'. Given the
potential ability that graphology has to affect the well-being of individuals -
in both negative and positive ways - there does need to be a universal debate.
The symposium was just one method of furthering this debate. This article is
intended to create a document to encourage the Symposia to continue, by
reviewing the structure and concept. The thoughts are personal; no-one can
criticise modifications to this outline if they are necessary for the meetings
to continue.
Organisation for
such an event is essential and it would appear that a committee of three to four
people, with a clear leader, is a winning formula. Numerous helpers at the
actual event are essential. This means that the organisers are ideally one of
the mainstream Graphological bodies rather than individuals.
The title of the Symposia implies that no one organisation should call it
their territory, and the body should appreciate that attendance cannot be
limited to its members. Organisational experience should be passed to future
organisers, whether by word of mouth or in articles such as this. The continual
success can only be assured by improvement and avoiding mistakes.
Venues such as
well known and world famous British Universities attract international audiences
and attention from non-graphological communities. Cambridge, Oxford, London,
York and Edinburgh fit this description, but also offer low-cost, beautiful
accommodation.
Frequent meetings
of this type lead to an exhaustion of effort. Research in Graphology does not
take place on a regular enough basis to hold Symposia every year. The idea of an
event every 2 years provides a manageable and logical workload.
Themes to each
meeting are useful in order to focus attention. However, they do mean that
specialisation becomes a feature and delegates may be dissatisfied.
Additionally, research into specialist areas (e.g. children) is not readily
available. Therefore the theme should simply be embracing enough to include the
variety and complexity of research available.
Speakers are best
selected by the committee after powerful marketing of a ‘Call for Papers’
sheet published in all Graphology publications worldwide immediately after the
end of each Symposium. Additionally, eminent researchers, journal editors and
Graphology societies worldwide should be asked for a list of recommended
researchers. The decision to choose particular speakers should take into account
originality, availability of researcher, professionalism, contribution to
Graphology, and specific features of the individual (e.g. is in the U.K. from
America at the time, may be at the end of his/her career, etc.).
A mix of established practitioners and ‘stars of
tomorrow’ is essential for counter-argument and development. Career speakers
who expect performance payments should be avoided to keep costs low and keep to
research. Assistance should be given to speakers to enhance their presentation
skills, whether by tuition or tangible help with the production of visuals.
The Papers should
be available either as a journal article, a give-away photocopy or published as
proceedings. Ideally, all three methods are best. Publishers should strive to
edit and use a type-face which assures professionalism. It should not be
forgotten that the law requires the author to receive ‘reasonable
consideration’. The official book should give short biographies of
contributors, acknowledgements to all involved, comments from organisers, and a
full index. It would be good to have the book available before the Symposium,
but final programmes are not established until the event. Appearance of the book
one year afterwards is a feasible and logical plan.
Prices for delegates must cover the costs involved. No-one can claim complete poverty nowadays, but we all have priorities. A high entry fee prevents equal opportunity of entry, as the Symposium falls further down the ladder of priorities. Pricing is a delicate area that must be resolved by the organisers. Sponsorship would help. In effect The British Institute has done this at Cambridge. Companies in the writing business are ideal sponsors. Delegate packs, pens, the speaker’s slides, room hire, administration, can all be sponsored at relatively low costs, as can the collected papers. Any profits should be put back into the next Symposia, and where possible towards research grants.
Marketing is an
essential element of the Symposium. The ‘Call for Papers’ advertisements are
part of the effort. The other, is to distribute, very widely, self-adhesive
announcements which are put behind any correspondence. Graphologists are great
letter writers and this is a very successful, low cost method. The Symposium is
positioning itself as the ‘Best World Graphology Event’. That is the market
position it must reach and maintain. A press release should be sent to quality
newspapers and local bookshops one month and then two weeks before the
Symposium. Assistance and direction should be provided for journalists who
should arrive by appointment only. All
documents relating to the Symposium must be of top quality, not only for content
but also type-face, layout and paper used. These are signs of a ‘Strong
spirit’.
The Target Audiences
are established graphologists and those interest in graphology. But additionally
University and College teaching staff. Overseas delegates should be welcomed
with open arms. Delegates must not be restricted to members of particular
bodies; open-mindedness and neutral ground should be the key.
Peripheral Events
to the actual papers help to maintain interest. These should include the
world’s biggest graphology book sale (new/used), workshops, exhibitions,
poster exhibitions of research not being presented, a common meeting room,
cocktail party, meeting of world editors of graphology journals, stands by
different organisations explaining their functions and work. Notice boards of adverts (For Sale/Wanted/Information
Exchange) also provide an interesting ‘focal point’ for delegates.
On-Site Organisation
should be thoughtful. A registration desk, a delegate pack and comfortable
lecture room are essentials. The registration desk welcomes the delegates, gives
the room key, badges and information in the delegate pack. The delegate pack
contains the speaking programme, biographical notes on speakers and delegates,
meal/refreshment details, a pen, small notepad, local places of interest, travel
details, and of course acknowledgments. Session chairmen should keep each phase
of the programme to time, not make personal statements, but do all possible to
help speakers carry all their tasks effectively. The lecture room should
accommodate 35mm and overhead projection, and lighting must be examined
carefully to ensure note taking can take place. Direction signs should be
created to help delegates find their way around.
The graphological debate will continue with strength when
the spirit behind events such as this is strong. This can only be achieved by
the co-operation of all concerned parties. Today’s delegate is tomorrow’s
organiser or speaker.
This article first appeared as: The Blueprint for British Research Symposia (Graphologist, 1989 (Autumn), 7(3), 24-26)
Last modified 25 January 2002. Please report any corrections to me at this email address bradlen@wmin.ac.uk
hits since 25 January 2002