Barcamp (http://www.barcamp-beijing.com) is a regularly run event held in Beijing to bring together people from a wide range of disciplines to share their stories and experiences. Similar to the well known TED talks, scientists, entrepreneurs, designers, artists and more, come together to inspire others about their work or personal experiences.
At Beijing's most recent Barcamp event, held on Sunday 30th March 2014, Justine Alexander and Charlotte Whitham participated with the aim of sharing their passion for conservation with it's over 600 attendees and asking their audience to consider reflecting on the importance of wild cat conservation in China. They gave a joint presentation entitled: "Geeks with Passion: Saving China's Wild Cats".
Justine and Charlie discussed the important role of young researchers in working towards saving wild cats in China; fuelled by their academic expertise and their passion for their research for snow leopards (Justine) and tigers (Charlie) in China. They highlighted how young researchers played an important role in providing a strong scientific basis for policy, linking different stakeholders, initiating training activities and building awareness among different groups.They then encouraged the audience to join in a discussion in order to explore what role the audience could have in saving China's wild cats. Musicians, marketing advisors, scientists from other fields and business men and women gave concrete suggestions on how they could get involved with the protection of wild cats in China or more specifically, to helping researchers like us at the WI, continue our research and training and communication activities to further support our conservation efforts.
Justine and Charlie discussed the important role of young researchers in working towards saving wild cats in China; fuelled by their academic expertise and their passion for their research for snow leopards (Justine) and tigers (Charlie) in China. They highlighted how young researchers played an important role in providing a strong scientific basis for policy, linking different stakeholders, initiating training activities and building awareness among different groups.They then encouraged the audience to join in a discussion in order to explore what role the audience could have in saving China's wild cats. Musicians, marketing advisors, scientists from other fields and business men and women gave concrete suggestions on how they could get involved with the protection of wild cats in China or more specifically, to helping researchers like us at the WI, continue our research and training and communication activities to further support our conservation efforts.