Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time – #PanelHack 2015
UPDATE: If you are reading this post, then you are among the thousands who have this week on a number of platforms such as Quartz, Huffington Post, LinkedIn and the Australian Women’s Agenda Network. Twitter has also been set alight by the #panelhack hashtag.
I have been humbled by many of the comments, via twitter, on the platforms listed above and via direct message, LinkedIn and my contact form that have complimented me on what I did.
I am glad that the issue of panel diversity has been raised to a global audience, and it has already made other panel organisers reconsider their panel mix. I’m proud to be a #Manbassador. See where I will be speaking next on my upcoming events page – and perhaps you will see me hacking a panel at an event near you!
Conscious that I am overseeing an all male panel at IEEE ICC in a week or so. @AndrewGrill's #panelhack could get revisited @MischaDohler ?
— Dr. Dan Warren (@TMGB) May 29, 2015
Even the All Male Panels tumblr set up by Saara Särmä (@huippumisukka) rated an honourable mention for this #panelhack

The original post is below…
On the same day as the UK Election (May 7th), I was honoured to be invited to present at the Online Influence conference in Cardiff.
I presented a keynote in the morning on “from Social Media to Social Business” which was well received from the tweets and feedback at the event. You can watch a video replay of the talk here.
I was also invited to take part on a panel as the last item of the day, in front of 300 or so people.
The panel consisted of William Conner, from PWC, Jeremy Waite from Salesforce (a good friend of mine), Michael Page, from Synthesio, Luke Moore, from Crimson Hexagon, and Mike Bevans from Yahoo.
When I took my seat on stage, I very quickly realised that the panel consisted of five middle-aged men (6 including William as Chair), clearly not a fair representation of the digital, social or even real world.
What I had learned just before the panel started was the fact that there were two female panellists that had been invited (thus balancing the mix with 40:60 female), however both were unable to attend, one apparently involved in voting on the General election being held in the UK on the same day.
Some way into the panel, a young woman asked the obvious question – where are the women?
I am not sure if William knew about the 2 female panellists dropping out, so no mention of it was made, making the five of us look quite stupid on stage at that very moment.
We were asked to respond to the issue of gender diversity, and I mentioned that I fully support women on boards, and there is also an active campaign by the UK Government, headed by Lord Davies to ensure 25% female representation on boards by the end of 2015, and in Australia this goal is 30% by 2017.
I did mention that there was a real opportunity for people of either gender to prove their Digital literacy (thus helping to inject strong digital skills on FTSE100 boards), and this is a topic for an upcoming blog post. You can watch a replay of my presentation at the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce in Belfast earlier this month where I outlined the urgent need for digital literacy on boards in the UK and beyond.
However as I was talking about digital diversity I realised I was not addressing the very real issue of gender diversity on the very panel that I was sitting on.
I asked the young lady her name – Miranda she said.
Hacking the panel format
What happened next changed the whole dynamic of the panel, and the discussion, and it lit up twitter.
I offered to give up my seat on the panel and invited Miranda Bishop onto the stage. As I heard discussed after the panel, there was some encouragement from those sitting around Miranda, and she came forward to sit on the panel for the rest of the session. In fact as Miranda tells it on her blog post about the experience:
As I made my way down from right at the back of the hall I think my whole body turned red from blushing. Also it’s actually quite lucky that this was a conference about something I am pretty well-informed on in hindsight…
great to have @Miranda_Bishop on stage with us on the panel at #oi15 pic.twitter.com/WmyXBwaAG9
— Andrew Grill (@AndrewGrill) May 7, 2015
Thanks so much @AndrewGrill for giving up his seat for me at #Oi15. Amazing feedback!
— Miranda Bishop (@Miranda_Bishop) May 7, 2015
After the event, I heard that the organisers literally were looking through their hands wondering what this crazy Australian had done, and fearful of what might happen next.
As it was, Miranda brought an amazing perspective to the panel as a 26 year old small business owner. She explained that when she left school she found it hard to get a job so she started her own social media training agency, “Talking Social Media“.
The response to our new panelist was extremely positive, as I had expected.
It's official. @Miranda_Bishop from @Talking_SM rocks! #oi15
— Louise Czekaj (@louczek) May 7, 2015
Great to see @Miranda_Bishop representing women on the #oi15 panel – good to hear a different perspective on working in the digital space
— Sian Fording (@sianfording) May 7, 2015
Role-models for young women and investment in female-led companies: amazing advocacy. @Miranda_Bishop @OiConf #Oi15 pic.twitter.com/31yC1rGsdx
— CREO (@hello_creo) May 7, 2015
I think it's fair to say we witnessed #PanelGate at #oi15 today. @Miranda_Bishop was an inspiration to be brave, get up and speak out.
— two for joy (@secondmagpie) May 7, 2015
Wow I've had emails, tweets, texts and facebook messages from people who weren't even at #Oi15 today! Crazy!
— Miranda Bishop (@Miranda_Bishop) May 7, 2015
Sharing a panel stage with IBM, Yahoo, Synthesio, Crimson Hexagon and PwC was a serious highlight of #Oi15. #SitAtTheTable
— Miranda Bishop (@Miranda_Bishop) May 7, 2015
Now I am sure I am not the first male panellist to give up my seat and try to inject some gender diversity into a conference panel, but we still have a long way to go. There is an excellent tumblr called “congrats you have an all male panel” that calls out the many, many conferences that neglect a female voice and perspective.
Miranda rightly asked the question that many were asking at the conference, and she also had the confidence to come forward when I asked her to join the panel, and I am so glad she did.
So next time you are at a conference where there is an all-male panel, be the one who says “this is not right” and do something about it – in real time.
UPDATE: 10 June 2015. This story just keeps on giving. Today I received in the post the following gift from Miranda, thank you so much!

UPDATE: 15 June 2015. Andrea Barrica (@abarrica) tweeted about how she crashed a panel recently at the Shift Conference in Split, Croatia
Hey @AndrewGrill, appreciated your effort. Check out mine: https://t.co/gCVljzX4af #panelcrashers
— Andrea Barrica (@abarrica) June 15, 2015
This is where #panelhack meets #panelcrashers. If we all address this problem, then it won’t be one.
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RT @cardiffisyours: For anyone who was at @OiConf #oi15 here’s a great write up from @AndrewGrill about us fixing the #allmalepanel http://…
RT @stuartbruce: This is one neat solution to a problem that shouldn’t even occur – all male panels http://t.co/yHqNXHxnUw @AndrewGrill
RT @cardiffisyours: For anyone who was at @OiConf #oi15 here’s a great write up from @AndrewGrill about us fixing the #allmalepanel http://…
Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff http://t.co/MAiTqBEGfq via @andrewgrill
RT @jkhoey: THIS! “I offered to give up my seat on the panel” – http://t.co/USEsOvMKCm Thank you @AndrewGrill #womenintech #diversity
Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time – http://t.co/brrLJw7u5y from http://t.co/vv22g3D3vg
RT @Miranda_Bishop: Next time you are at …an all-male panel, be the one who says “this is not right” and do something from @AndrewGrill h…
Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time: On the same… http://t.co/kg1nsbwlj2 | @AndrewGrill
RT @AndrewGrill: Well @jkhoey I thought you’d really enjoy my #panelhack blog http://t.co/S279SSdxbM #womenintech #diversity
@DigitalGodess Think you’d also like my latest post on how to fix the “all-male panel problem” at http://t.co/S279SSdxbM
RT @AndrewGrill: New post: Hacking the “all-male conference panel” problem in real time http://t.co/S279SSdxbM cc @Miranda_Bishop
RT @Miranda_Bishop: Next time you are at …an all-male panel, be the one who says “this is not right” and do something from @AndrewGrill h…
Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time – http://t.co/GxfNjtrtUD from http://t.co/3amCatGoTK
RT @kmlarkinwong: Major #TIMInitiative props to @AndrewGrill for giving up his seat on an all-male panel to a woman in the audience! http:/…
RT @Talking_SM: Next time you are at …an all-male panel, be the one who says “this is not right” and do something from @AndrewGrill http:…
Make panelist on all male panel gives up seat for woman in real time go @AndrewGrill! http://t.co/ubhuB6Mp9r
RT @Miranda_Bishop: Next time you are at …an all-male panel, be the one who says “this is not right” and do something from @AndrewGrill h…
don’t like being a part of an #allmalepanel? give your seat to a woman. inspiring article by @AndrewGrill: http://t.co/RbPZXH7CCi
For anyone ever incensed by #allmalepanel thing, check @AndrewGrill – a must-read (!) via @sumolaw http://t.co/9gSHeAIY5p cc @djrothkopf
Congrats, you don’t have an all-male panel. @andrewgrill thinks on his feet (or rather, in his chair). http://t.co/BpfxzWn7r8
pro-diverse and keeping things surprising #epicwin https://t.co/PsRMePXl1A
RT @AndrewGrill: New post: Hacking the “all-male conference panel” problem in real time http://t.co/S279SSdxbM cc @Miranda_Bishop
RT @Miranda_Bishop: Next time you are at …an all-male panel, be the one who says “this is not right” and do something from @AndrewGrill h…
Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time – http://t.co/MEsxbuoHL6 from http://t.co/E8HhRFfcr7
RT @sumolaw: Fixing the “all male panel” problem in real-time – http://t.co/t3195OXQyF from http://t.co/K0ck8K24tA – well done @andrewgrill
RT @sumolaw: Fixing the “all male panel” problem in real-time – http://t.co/t3195OXQyF from http://t.co/K0ck8K24tA – well done @andrewgrill
Excellent write-up by @AndrewGrill who gave up his seat to inject some gender diversity into a conference panel: http://t.co/uDjQ9tTfjN
@KMarzantowicz did you see my #panelhack post? Thought you might like to share it with your CEE WIT network http://t.co/S279SSdxbM
#panelhack How about fixing the “all male panel” problem in real-time – http://t.co/9i88bATqUQ from http://t.co/ge6QhcwPfu
@amali_d did you see my #panelhack post this week? http://t.co/S279SSv8Am
RT @AndrewGrill: Well @prconversations @wadds @Miranda_Bishop @huippumisukka just updated my #panelhack post to highlight this! Fab! http:/…
#panelhack Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time – http://t.co/VmMxwyngZA
RT @ZacharyJeans: #panelhack Fixing the “all male panel” problem | @AndrewGrill http://t.co/KybCpnTGml
(TY Andrew) c @jeremywaite http://t…
Major #TIMInitiative props to @AndrewGrill for giving up his seat on an all-male panel to a woman! http://t.co/0ctsYF9jUH cc: @msjdorg
Major #TIMInitiative props to @AndrewGrill for giving up his seat on an all-male panel to a woman! http://t.co/Vf9jxk0uQj cc: @msjdorg
RT @kmlarkinwong: Major #TIMInitiative props to @AndrewGrill for giving up his seat on an all-male panel to a woman! http://t.co/Vf9jxk0uQj…
RT @AndrewGrill: New post: Hacking the “all-male conference panel” problem in real time http://t.co/S279SSdxbM cc @Miranda_Bishop
RT @AndrewGrill: Loved your #panelhack story @abarrica I’m sure @huippumisukka @Miranda_Bishop will too. http://t.co/S279SSdxbM http://t.co…
RT @AndrewGrill: so @abarrica #panelcrashers http://t.co/Y46iXY7jMW meets #panelhack http://t.co/S279SSdxbM nice to meet you!
RT @AndrewGrill: @abarrica just added your story as an update to http://t.co/S279SSv8Am #panelhack #panelcrashers
RT @AndrewGrill: Loved your #panelhack story @abarrica I’m sure @huippumisukka @Miranda_Bishop will too. http://t.co/S279SSdxbM http://t.co…
RT @AndrewGrill: Loved your #panelhack story @abarrica I’m sure @huippumisukka @Miranda_Bishop will too. http://t.co/S279SSdxbM http://t.co…
RT @AndrewGrill: Loved your #panelhack story @abarrica I’m sure @huippumisukka @Miranda_Bishop will too. http://t.co/S279SSdxbM http://t.co…
RT @AndrewGrill: #panelhack meets #panelcrashers read the amazing story from @abarrica http://t.co/Y46iXY7jMW & the original http://t.co/S2…
RT @AndrewGrill: #panelhack meets #panelcrashers read the amazing story from @abarrica http://t.co/Y46iXY7jMW & the original http://t.co/S2…
What happened at Cardiff Oi15 conference when @AndrewGrill was asked where the women were http://t.co/BcjWwIVmnM http://t.co/wGaxQfFAX7
RT @cardiffspeakers: What happened at Cardiff Oi15 conference when @AndrewGrill was asked where the women were http://t.co/BcjWwIVmnM http:…
Major #TIMInitiative props to @AndrewGrill for giving up his seat on an all-male panel to a woman! http://t.co/jXFZcoownz cc: @msjdorg
RT @kmlarkinwong: Major #TIMInitiative props to @AndrewGrill for giving up his seat on an all-male panel to a woman! http://t.co/jXFZcoownz…
Major #TIMInitiative props to @AndrewGrill for giving up his seat on an all-male panel to a woman! http://t.co/wxpYGUQSZK cc: @msjdorg
@AndrewGrill glad that others can see the presentation that you delivered @NIChamber http://t.co/ErIED88qDd #panelhack
Would I be bold enough to give up my seat on an all-male panel like @AndrewGrill did for @Miranda_Bishop? http://t.co/eln33xBnzi #panelhack
RT @betterallies: Would I be bold enough to give up my seat on an all-male panel like @AndrewGrill did for @Miranda_Bishop? http://t.co/eln…
RT @betterallies: Would I be bold enough to give up my seat on an all-male panel like @AndrewGrill did for @Miranda_Bishop? http://t.co/eln…
RT @betterallies: Would I be bold enough to give up my seat on an all-male panel like @AndrewGrill did for @Miranda_Bishop? http://t.co/eln…
RT @betterallies: Would I be bold enough to give up my seat on an all-male panel like @AndrewGrill did for @Miranda_Bishop? http://t.co/eln…
RT @AndrewGrill: Rewind: #panelhack Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time http://t.co/S279SSdx…
RT @betterallies: Would I be bold enough to give up my seat on an all-male panel like @AndrewGrill did for @Miranda_Bishop? http://t.co/eln…
RT @AndrewGrill: well @servantofchaos looks like they need a #panelhack http://t.co/S279SSdxbM cc @Miranda_Bishop
RT @AndrewGrill: Rewind: #panelhack Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time https://t.co/S279SSd…
RT @AndrewGrill: Rewind: #panelhack Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time https://t.co/S279SSd…
RT @AndrewGrill: Rewind: #panelhack Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time https://t.co/S279SSd…
Rewind: #panelhack Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time https://t.co/S279SSdxbM
RT @AndrewGrill: .@ITredux @fintanr @drjohnbates yeah do a #panelhack here’s how! https://t.co/S279SSv8Am
RT @AndrewGrill: Rewind: #panelhack Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time https://t.co/S279SSd…
@KerryMG see also https://t.co/S279SSv8Am #panelhack
RT @AndrewGrill: Rewind: #panelhack Fixing the “all male panel” problem at the Oi15 conference in Cardiff in real-time https://t.co/S279SSd…