How The Gurdon Institute at the University of Cambridge Uses the Meeting Owl for Engaging Hybrid Events

The Gurdon Institute at the University of Cambridge is a world-leading center for research on the biology of development and how normal growth and maintenance go wrong in diseases such as cancer.

Alastair Downie, the IT Manager at The Gurdon Institute, explains that the institute had to rethink how it would enable its scientific seminars for people to attend remotely if they couldn’t travel to campus.

“At The Gurdon Institute, a hybrid approach to scientific meetings allows researchers from around the world to participate. In the past, to enable this, we’ve relied upon expensive and complex video conferencing systems installed at the front of the room, but this has never provided a good experience for our remote collaborators. Stuck to the wall, as it were, their point of view can make them feel somewhat marginalized.”

Eager to find a better solution, Alastair decided to try out the Meeting Owl that would make remote attendees feel more included and engaged in the Q&A and discussion portions of the seminars.

“The Meeting Owls have changed everything! These clever devices sit in the middle of the table and pan their built-in cameras and microphones to focus on whomever is speaking, providing a much more rewarding, face-to-face experience for everyone.” 

At larger seminars and conferences, The Gurdon Institute uses wireless device pairing to pair two Meeting Owls together for increased video and audio range in meeting spaces with lots of attendees.

“We’re using the Meeting Owls to develop a blueprint for other departments around the campus, so that researchers can gather locally to participate in remote events. With colleagues by their sides and an Owl handling all the AV, it’s every bit as engaging as being in the seminar room. In my view, the Meeting Owl is an exciting and transformational piece of technology, and we’ve only just begun to explore its potential.”

The Meeting Owl helps organizations keep people connected and included in the discussion when they can’t be there in-person.