There is so much to do at HA Conference – whether you go for one day or the full two days. And just because you have booked your workshop/lecture sessions in advance, that doesn’t mean that you cannot have a bit of spontaneity and find new things to do – so, in the style of a newspaper weekend column, here are ten things to do at Conference:

1. Go to a lecture on something that you previously knew nothing about

The keynote lectures offer an opportunity to listen to a top UK academic speak on a subject that may not be something about which you have previously read, researched or taught – that is what makes them so fascinating. A keynote talk is a real opportunity for you to indulge your love of anything history and historical, without having to do any work or follow up.  

2. Make a new friend

Over three hundred people usually attend HA Conference – some in groups, but more and more people just attend on their own, knowing that a shared love of history and/or teaching will ensure that they will find something to say to someone. Lots of people find that they start talking to people at Conference who become lifelong friends. So don’t worry if you are attending on your own – you won’t be alone for long.

3. Get workshop envy when you see all the other choices that are on offer

Before you got to Conference, you picked which workshops/talks/visits you were going to go to. You attend the workshop of your choice and it is brilliant – however, you are chatting to someone at the coffee break and the workshop that they attended sounds brilliant too. But there are only so many hours in a day. Tip: Plan ahead and book the digital package as well as the attending-in-person package.

4. Put a Liverpool-based music reference on a social media post

The HA team love a bit of a pun and a themed SM message – see whether you can get one with a Liverpool music theme onto a social media post while at Conference, just to make people Come Together and all that… #HAconf2025

5. Fail to resist the Roving Books bookshop

Lots of the speakers at HA Conference are also authors and lots of the topics being covered also have key texts that can support them. There are also lots of really good historical fiction books for children entered into the HA Young Quills awards each year, so at HA Conference we have a travelling bookshop that attends – Roving Books – and despite your best efforts, you will probably return home at least one book heavier.  

6. Get a free pen/highlighter at the exhibition

In addition to all the workshops, lectures, talks, etc., there is also an exhibition area at Conference. Many of our exhibitors offer complimentary resources and promotional items on their stands, so make sure that you visit to collect useful information, take advantage of exclusive event discounts and take part in light-hearted competitions with colleagues. The exhibition also provides a good chance for those in education to catch up with existing suppliers and discuss how well their products and services are delivering results for your school, college or trust.  

7. Try lunchtime yoga

It is not actually yoga, but it does need some flexibility to try to balance your lunch with your cup of tea/coffee, while gesticulating wildly with enthusiasm about the session that you have just been to. There is also the sitting down option, but then you can’t keep grabbing another sandwich as easily or drawing another person into the discussion!

8. Take part in an HA challenge

As historians and educators, the HA team are very serious people. However, we are also quite fun (see earlier reference about SM posts), which means that at HA Conference we usually promote a challenge for you to join in with, such as a task at the exhibition or getting involved with an activity!

9. Get fanboy/girl excited

When you look at the names of the people giving the keynote lectures and then you look at the people giving the general talks and the workshop sessions, you are bound to see some familiar names – names of people whose books you have on your shelf or whose articles you have highlighted for reference – so remember to just stay calm and nonchalant.

10. Don’t lose all your points in the HA quiz wipeout round

On the Friday evening, as the (optional) evening dinner ends, we hold an HA quiz. This year, the HA HQ team are putting it together and the CEO is getting very excited about her wipeout round – join in and see whether you are up to the challenge.