Electromagnetic Field (also known as EMF, or EMF Camp) is a camping festival in the UK, held every two years, for
hackers,
geeks,
engineers and
scientists.[1] It features talks and workshops covering a wide variety of topics.[2] EMF is a non-profit event run entirely by a team of volunteers.[3]
Attendees of EMF receive an
electronic conference badge, funded by sponsorship, which in 2014 included an LCD screen,
Arduino-compatible microcontroller, and a radio transceiver.[4]
History
The first Electromagnetic Field event was held in 2012 at
Pineham in
Milton Keynes, and completely sold out a 499-person capacity. Each tent at EMF 2012 was provided with power and the internet, via a 2.5 km direct microwave link to a data centre[5] which provided 370 Mbit/s[6] to the campsite. Over 50 speakers gave talks, including
Ben Goldacre.[7]
In 2013, a smaller interim one-day event called Electromagnetic Wave was held in London on board the
MS Stubnitz.[8]
The main event was held again in 2014 at Hounslow Hall Estate,
Newton Longville (near
Milton Keynes). Over 1,200 tickets were sold.[9] As with the 2012 event, internet was provided by a direct microwave link which provided 436 Mbit/s.[10] The entire event had over 100 talks, workshops and events with a separate track for children. Notable speakers included
Tom Watson MP and
Simon Singh.[11] In addition there were 45 'villages'[12] that ran their own workshops and events including silver smithing, wood turning and making
stroopwafels.
Electromagnetic Field 2016 was held on 5–7 August 2016 at
Loseley Park, Guildford[13] with an attendance of over 1,600. The 1 Gbit/s internet connection was provided by fibre, and the on-site network had a 10 Gbit/s backbone.[14]
Electromagnetic Field 2018 was held on 31 August – 2 September 2018[15] at
Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire.[16] The attendance was 2,500.
Electromagnetic Field 2020 was due to be held on 24–26 July 2020, again at
Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire.[17] However the event was cancelled due to the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
Electromagnetic Field 2022 was held on 2-5 June 2022 at
Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire.[19] The attendance was 2,500.