Open Space

Open Space (aka Unconference) is a way to run meetings in a self-organizing manner with very little upfront planning.
The process involves these steps:

the meeting or session begins with participants sitting together
facilitator greets, explains laws, and introduces the theme
facilitator invites people (hosts) to come up with topics related to theme
hosts come to center and write topics and announce to the group
hosts choose a time and place and posts these details on a wall
the wall becomes the 'agenda'
participants refer to the wall and attend desired sessions
hosts should start a discussion with the participants
sessions are meant to be interactive
groups return to gathering area after the sessions
hosts share the key points discussed in their respective sessions with the whole group
that's it!

Four Principles

whoever comes are the right people
whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened
whenever it starts is the right time
when it's over, it's over

Law of Two Feet

"If at any time during our time together you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet. Go to some other place where you may learn and contribute."

Themes

The themes for the two Open Spaces at NZSCRSC2010:

Doing a PhD (Example topics: Writing papers, theses, proposals; Studying overseas: adapting to new cultures; Research collaborations; Presentation skills; Talking to non- technical people etc.)