EAGxBoston

EAGxBoston 2016


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#### What is EAGx?
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EA Global conferences are not the only events for people interested in effective altruism! _EAGx_ conferences are locally-organized conferences designed primarily for people: 

* Familiar with the core ideas of effective altruism
* Interested in learning more about what to do
* From the region or country where the conference is taking place (or living there)

An EAGx event takes place over 1-2 days and will typically involve: 
* Talks and workshops on [pressing problems](https://80000hours.org/problem-profiles/) that the EA community is currently trying to address and ideas to help the community achieve its goals
* The opportunity to meet and share advice with other EAs in the community, including meet-ups for people who share interests or backgrounds
* Social events at and around the conference
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#### What’s the difference between an EA Global and EAGx?
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Both EA Global (EAG) and EAGx events are quite similar; they are opportunities for people interested in effective altruism to make connections, exchange ideas, and attend talks and workshops over the course of a few days.

Just like there are [TED and TEDx conferences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TED_(conference)#TEDx), there are EAG and EAGx conferences. The 'x' indicates that this is a community organised EAG event. 

EA Global conferences are organized by the Centre for Effective Altruism, and people from all over the world attend these. The team at CEA is responsible for choosing the content, processing admissions, and production of the conference. 

EAGx events, on the other hand, are mostly community-organized (with some support from the EA Global team). The target audience for EAGx events is broader than EAG, but tends to have a more regional focus.  CEA provides funding and support to EAGx events (eg. access to our event app), but the local community organisers are responsible for choosing content, processing admissions, and the production of the conference. 

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#### Who are EAGx conferences for?
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EAGx conferences are primarily for people who are:
- Familiar with [the core ideas of effective altruism](https://80000hours.org/articles/effective-altruism/)
- Interested in learning more about what to do
- From the region or country where the conference is taking place (or living there)

We consider people familiar with the core ideas of EA if they have completed an [EA introductory program](https://www.effectivealtruism.org/virtual-programs/introductory-program/) or have engaged with [EA content](https://www.eaglobal.org/ea-conference-reading-list/) at an equivalent level of depth. We encourage everyone at or above this level to apply to attend EAGx conferences. 

__You can apply for a free online introductory program [here](https://www.effectivealtruism.org/virtual-programs/introductory-program/).__

If you want to attend but are unsure about whether to apply, __please err on the side of applying.__

There are also [EA Global conferences](https://www.effectivealtruism.org/ea-global). These conferences are for people who are knowledgeable about the core ideas of effective altruism and are taking significant actions (e.g. work or study) based on these ideas. You can attend both EAG and EAGx conferences.
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#### Why is it called EAGx?
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Just like there are [TED and TEDx conferences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TED_(conference)#TEDx), there are EAG and EAGx conferences. The 'x' indicates that this is an community organised EAG event.
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#### Where are EAGx conferences happening?
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View our [upcoming events](https://www.effectivealtruism.org/ea-global/events) to see what's currently in the works.
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#### Can I organise an EAGx conference?
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Yes! If you are interested in organising an EAGx conference yourself, please [apply here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9oue1arul-YQ0RB3MUCSbBXMEFyhIp573Zf6FCgx4khtVHA/viewform) and contact ollie@eaglobal.org with any questions. 
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EAGx FAQ


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#### What are EA Global and EAGx Events?
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EA Global (EAG) and EAGx are a series of conferences for members of the effective altruism (EA) community.

Both EA Global and EAGx conferences typically last around 2-3 days. They involve talks, workshops, discussions, and many chances to network with people interested in effective altruism. The conferences can range in size, from several hundred to over a thousand attendees! 

Although the events are very similar, there are some differences between EA Global and EAGx events. For example, EA Global is organized by the Centre for Effective Altruism, while EAGx is organized by members of the EA community, with support from the events team. See below for more information.
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#### What’s the difference between an EA Global and EAGx?
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Both EA Global (EAG) and EAGx events are quite similar; they are opportunities for people interested in effective altruism to make connections, exchange ideas, and attend talks and workshops over the course of a few days.

Just like there are [TED and TEDx conferences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TED_(conference)#TEDx), there are EAG and EAGx conferences. The 'x' indicates that this is a community-organised EAG event. 

EA Global conferences are organized by the Centre for Effective Altruism, and people from all over the world attend these. The team at CEA is responsible for choosing the content, processing admissions, and the event's production.

EAGx events, on the other hand, are mostly community-organized (with some support from the EA Global team). The target audience for EAGx events is broader than EAG, but tends to have a more regional focus. CEA provides funding and support to EAGx events (eg. access to our event app), but the local community organisers are responsible for choosing content, processing admissions, and the event's production. 

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#### Who should attend an EA Global or EAGx conference?
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EA Global and EAGx events are designed to help members of the effective altruism community make progress on the world's pressing problems by sharing new thinking and research as well as starting or coordinating on important projects. We have an admissions system for EA Global and EAGx events, to help us select for applicants who seem most able to help each other pursue these goals.

You can read more about what we’re looking for in the admissions section of the FAQ, but in short: 

EA Global is mostly aimed at people who have a solid understanding of the core ideas of EA and who are taking significant actions based on those ideas. Many EA Global attendees are already professionally working on effective-altruism-inspired projects or figuring out how best to work on such projects.

EAGx conferences are primarily for people who are:
- Familiar with [the core ideas of effective altruism](https://80000hours.org/articles/effective-altruism/)
- Interested in learning more about what to do with these ideas
- From the region or country where the conference is taking place (or living there)

**If you want to attend but are unsure about whether to apply, please err on the side of applying!**

We sometimes admit people who view themselves as less experienced. We also sometimes admit people who are less invested in effective altruism than other applicants, but whose professional background or studies make them well placed to help other attendees at the conference achieve their goals.

__You must be 18 or older at the time of the event in order to attend EAG and EAGx events.__ In the past, we allowed under 18s to attend with a chaperone. Unfortunately, this is no longer allowed due to our current insurance policy.
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#### Should I volunteer? How do I sign up to volunteer?
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Volunteers are crucial to the success of our conferences! Before EA Global, volunteers are asked to do 3 hours of pre-event training. During the event, volunteers generally complete one 4-6 hour shift each day. Besides these time commitments, volunteers participate in the conference as all attendees do. For this reason, we require volunteers to be accepted to the conference as an attendee before they can join the volunteer team.

Volunteers help the conference run smoothly in a variety of ways, such as liaising with speakers, welcoming attendees, managing the content rooms, and helping attendees navigate the venue.

In the past, volunteers have found connecting with each other and the conference organisers to be extremely valuable. We view this benefit as a crucial aspect of the volunteering process. 

We think volunteering is particularly useful for: 

* Attendees who want to test their operations or event-running skills
* Attendees who would like to help ensure the conference is a success
* First-time attendees who don’t expect to be completely booked with meetings
* Attendees who would like to meet other volunteers or work with the organising team

To volunteer, simply express interest in the application or registration form for EA Global, or email us at hello@eaglobal.org. 

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#### How much will it cost to attend?
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We typically require attendees to buy a ticket. For events that require tickets, the default price is __$500__ though we offer reduced-price and free tickets to those who might need them. Students and attendees seeking work will have an opportunity to request a free ticket as part of the application form.

Some of our EA Global Events are free to attend—this will be made clear on the registration page for the relevant event. We do ask that you consider donating, and when registering for the conference you will have an opportunity to do this. Just like our ticketed events, our suggested donation is £400 ($500).

EAGx events are organised separately and ticket prices will vary by event. Please see the relevant event for the details.

Our events cost between $500 and $2,000 per person to run, with EAGx events on the lower side and EA Global events on the higher side. There are relatively few venues that are well-located and large enough to accommodate our events and the costs to host events at these venues are often high, with large line items like catering and audio-visual (AV) services heavily marked up.

We’re working to reduce these costs. Recently, we’ve reduced the number of meals we serve at our events, negotiated more competitive AV quotes, limited how much travel support we provide to attendees and identified cheaper venues. Still, we ask that attendees consider supporting us so that we can continue to run these events for the benefit of the effective altruism community.

We also offer some travel support. If you need travel support, you should let us know during your application; there is a designated question about this. Requesting travel support does not lower your chance of being accepted to the conference.

You can see [more on travel support here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gOvK6TKnQS0LADHmYCExCbWK7xsBVmqHdCICvDxNmjo/edit#) and in FAQs below. 
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#### What is your travel support policy? Why has it changed?
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**Our travel support policy has recently changed**, for reasons explained in this post on [updates to spending for CEA-run events](https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/4JF39v548SETuMewp/update-on-spending-for-cea-run-events). For more up-to-date information on EA Global spending, you can also read about [how much EA Globals cost and why](https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/n5GJEP3tMrzdfYPGG/how-much-do-eags-cost-and-why#What_are_we_doing_to_save_money_).

Please see our full travel support policy [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gOvK6TKnQS0LADHmYCExCbWK7xsBVmqHdCICvDxNmjo/edit#) for more details.

Many attendees can use their own funds to cover travel and accommodation for the conference, or can ask for them to be covered by their employer or university. While we'd like for attendees to use these funding sources wherever possible, others may need financial support in order to attend. 

In the past, we funded people to travel to any EA Global or EAGx conferences they were accepted to, if they needed financial assistance to attend. However, our policy has recently changed. Here is an excerpt from our updated policy:

  *Please note that travel support funds are now extremely limited and we can only accommodate a very small number of requests. If you do not end up receiving travel support, this is likely the result of limited funds, rather than an evaluation of your potential for impact. When planning around an event, we’d recommend you act under the assumption that we will not be able to grant your travel funding request (unless it has already been approved).* 

If you need travel support, let us know during your application; there is a designated question about this. __Requesting travel support does not lower your chance of being accepted to the conference.__ 

In 2024, attendees are eligible to receive funding for a maximum of one EA Global conference for the year (note: this does not include EAGx conferences). 

If you attend an EA Global in 2024 without funding, you’re still eligible to apply for funding to another EA Global that year, though we may down-weigh your application (as we try to fund people who’ve been to fewer EA Globals). This decision is based on decreased availability in travel funding.

Please read the [full travel support policy](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gOvK6TKnQS0LADHmYCExCbWK7xsBVmqHdCICvDxNmjo/edit#) to find out more. If you have any questions, please contact admissions@eaglobal.org.

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#### What should I do if I need a visa?
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If you may need a visa in order to attend, you should apply as early as possible, and let us know during your application; there is a designated question about this. We can provide you with a visa letter if you are admitted. Unfortunately, we're unable to offer advice regarding visa application processes.
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#### If I paid for a ticket or made a donation, is it possible to get a refund?
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Refunds are possible for certain events up to a few weeks before the event. Please check the relevant event page for details. If you believe you are eligible for a refund, please contact us at [admissions@eaglobal.org](mailto:admissions@eaglobal.org).
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#### How should I prepare for the conference?
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We've found that attendees get much more value from the conference if they prepare in advance. 

Here are some concrete steps you can take to prepare for the conference itself:

* Make a list of your priorities — what you’d like to get out of the conference
* Make a plan of action based on those priorities
* Follow the instructions in the emails you’re getting and make yourself a profile on Swapcard (our event app) 
* Look through other people’s profiles and connect with those you’d like to meet with or who share your interests
* Look through sessions on the agenda and register for the ones you’d like to attend (and bookmark the ones you’re interested in but which you’re less sure about)
* Be realistic - plan in adequate time to rest, refuel and to have spontaneous conversations  
* Read [Forum posts tagged “effective altruism conferences”](https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/tag/effective-altruism-conferences) for lots more tips on how to get the most out of attending a conference  

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#### How do I find accommodation?
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In general, attendees are responsible for booking their own accommodation. We also have a conference-specific Slack for each event which includes a channel for coordinating accommodation with other attendees. 

At some events, such as EA Global: Bay Area 2023, we have had accommodation available on site, but this will generally not be the case.

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#### What is Swapcard? How do I use it?
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Swapcard is the app we use for our events. Attendees use it to:
* Look at the agenda and register for the content sessions they’d like to attend
* Make a profile to help you connect with other attendees - you can say what you do, what you’re interested in talking about, what ideas or expertise you can give others, and how to contact you 
* Request 1-1 or small group meetings with other attendees - choose the people, the time, and the meeting point
* Send messages to coordinate with other attendees, during and after the conference
* Find key information about the event, such as the attendee guide, map, wifi, jobs board, or what time food is being served

Once your application has been accepted to the conference, you'll be given access to the event Swapcard page roughly 1-2 weeks before the event.

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#### I want to speak at a conference or there's some content I'd like to see, what do I do?
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You can suggest a speaker (including yourself) or share other content ideas using [this form](https://forms.gle/ePtLDy11c33Te8N29). 

This form does not guarantee that a content suggestion will be included in a conference, nor that each entry will receive a response. However, we're grateful for submissions to this form and we monitor form responses regularly.  

You can also email speakers@eaglobal.org, or contact specific EAGx teams by using the email address on their event page.
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#### What kind of food will be served?
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Catered food at our conferences is typically vegan. Any non-vegan or allergy-specific food will be labeled. Each event will share a participant guide with accepted attendees shortly before the conference, which will cover many logistics, including more information about food at the conference. 

If you need to bring your own food, we are usually able to help you with refrigerator space — please ask at [hello@eaglobal.org](mailto:hello@eaglobal.org).
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#### Can you make accommodations for accessibility?
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We try to make our conferences accessible to everyone. Please ask at [hello@eaglobal.org](mailto:hello@eaglobal.org) if you have questions about accessibility or if you need us to make any accommodations.
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#### How do you manage COVID risk?
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The COVID protocols will vary by event, as the situation and location changes. Some events may require that attendees follow certain rules (such as declaring their vaccination status and testing before the event).

For EA Global events we are not currently imposing any COVID restrictions, though we recommend attendees to be up to date with WHO-approved vaccines. 

When possible at our venues, we set up space outdoors or areas with good ventilation.

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#### What is the code of conduct at EAG(x) events?
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__At EA Global, EAGx events and social events associated with EA Global or EAGx events, all attendees agree to:__

- Respect the boundaries of other participants.
- Look out for one another and try to help if you can.
- Adhere to national and local health and safety regulations, as well as any additional policies we institute for EA Global.

__This is a professional learning and networking event. These behaviors don't belong at EA Global or related events:__ 

- Unwanted sexual attention or sexual harassment of any kind.
- Using the event app to request meetings for romantic or sexual reasons.
- Offensive, disruptive, or discriminatory actions or communication.

We understand that human interaction is complex. If you feel able, please give each other the benefit of explaining behavior you find unwelcome or offensive. 

If you’re asked to stop a behavior that’s causing a problem for someone, we expect you to stop immediately.

*You can contact us at hello@eaglobal.org if you have any questions.*

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All our conferences have at least one community contact person whose role is to be available for personal or interpersonal problems that come up. Feedback can also be left anonymously on the event survey, or on the community health team’s [anonymous contact form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJooJD0Sm2csCYgd0Is6FkpyQa3ket8IIcFzd_FcTRU7avRg/viewform).
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#### How can I contact the EA Global or EAGx organizers?
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For general enquiries, please email us at [hello@eaglobal.org](mailto:hello@eaglobal.org). We can redirect you to the right teams from here.

You can find EAGx organising team email addresses on their specific [event pages](https://www.effectivealtruism.org/ea-global/events). 

For EA Global admissions related questions please contact [admissions@eaglobal.org](mailto:admissions@eaglobal.org).

For anonymous feedback, use CEA's form [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAuu8qVC_jGNaLF_hIcp7WValy5DlN6kyYeAA3zOkj5W2WJg/viewform).
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#### I can no longer attend EAG(x), how do I cancel my registration?
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To cancel your registration, please complete the following steps: 
1. [Log in](https://effectivealtruism.force.com/EAGlobal/s/my-event-registrations) to your EA Global account and go to the 'My Event Registrations' tab.
2. Navigate to the relevant EA Global event and click 'Manage'. This will open your registration record.
3. To the right of your registration record, you will see a small form titled, 'No Longer Interested in Attending?'
4. Please fill this out and click, 'Request Registration Cancellation'.
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EA GlobalEvents

EAGxBoston 2016