Silent Signage: How Manchester 2013's Lanyard Colours Sorted Delegates — and What 2026 Can Learn
The lanyard is the most ordinary object at an academic conference, and one of the most consequential. Drawing on badge templates, registration lists and volunteer briefings in the Manchester 2013 archive, this article traces how colour codes and name formats sorted delegates into categories — and sets out practical changes for UK organisers in 2026.