meetstudies

Meetstudies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to the study of meetings and other collaborative sessions. It investigates how meetings are designed, conducted, and governed, and how these processes influence decision making, coordination, and outcomes in organizations and communities. The field draws on organizational behavior, communication studies, psychology, information technology, and management science.

Research in meetstudies employs a range of methods, including observational studies, controlled experiments, surveys, and social network analysis, as well as analytics of meeting artifacts such as agendas, minutes, and action items. Common metrics examine attendance, participation balance, meeting duration, agenda adherence, decision quality, and follow-through on commitments.

Key topics in meetstudies include meeting structure and facilitation, roles (such as facilitator and note-taker), time management, psychological safety, inclusivity, and power dynamics. The field also explores the use of collaboration technologies, remote and hybrid meeting formats, and the design of meeting ecosystems that support organizational goals and effective communication.

Applications of meetstudies aim to improve productivity, engagement, and governance processes. Findings inform the design of better facilitators, more effective agendas, and processes that reduce wasted time and cognitive load. Critics note that many meetings can be inefficient or unnecessary, and research in meetstudies often emphasizes evidence-based approaches to optimize collaboration.

See also: meeting science, facilitation, organizational behavior, collaboration technology.