This week in our Humans of EuroPython series, we’d love to shine a light on Emma Cooke, a member of the Accessibility Team, and the ways she helped shape the EuroPython 2026 conference.
Emma’s unique perspective took our approach to accessibility to a whole new level, helping us progress towards our goal of making EuroPython a place for everyone. We’re extremely grateful for that.
EP: If you had to sum up your volunteering experience in just three words, what would they be?
Energising. Welcoming. Fulfilling.
EP: Before you volunteered, had you already been to EuroPython as an attendee, or did volunteering mark your very first encounter with it?
I’d been as an attendee in Prague 2024, then as a ‘pocket of sun’ volunteer in 2025, and 2026 in Kraków was my first year volunteering on the organising committee.
EP: What did your main volunteer role involve, and what would a typical day look like for you?
As part of the accessibility team, I wanted to focus on making the conference as inclusive and as accessible as possible. I looked after things like checking the venue was physically accessible for those with mobility issues, having quiet rooms and stim toys available to help neurodivergent attendees, responding to individual requests for assistance, childcare, dietary requirements, and just generally ensuring that folks at the conference could get the support they needed.
EP: What are you most proud of achieving as part of your volunteer work?
I am proud of introducing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme to EuroPython this year. The Sunflower is a tool that helps people with non-visible disabilities signal that they may need a little extra time or patience, without having to explain themselves. As a sunflower wearer myself, it is nice to see the sunflower supported in more places, and to raise awareness of the initiative.
EP: Has volunteering changed how you experience conferences generally, even ones you're just attending now?
Volunteering has massively changed my perspective! I have so much appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes. This is what got me interested in volunteering in the first place - the first time I attended EuroPython I was just in awe of the dedication of the volunteer team, and I wanted to know more about how it all came together.
EP: If you were encouraging someone to join the EuroPython organising team, what would you say are the top three reasons to do it?
The people. This community draws in people who genuinely want to make things better for everyone, and being part of the organising team gives you a chance to work with those people.
The impact you can have. The conference simply doesn’t happen without volunteers.
You'll gain a perspective you can't get as an attendee.
EP: Thank you so much for your contribution, Emma!