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@graphology.ws
25 January 2002