ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode, hosts Chris Armstrong and Russell Craxford are joined by #PeersCon27 Programme Chairs, Veerle Verhagen and Callum Akehurst-Ryan, to launch the Call for Collaboration.
The conversation introduces the 2027 theme, explores what “quality on the boundaries” means in practice, and sets clear expectations for submissions. It also reinforces what makes #PeersCon different: real experiences over theory, diverse voices, and a community-first approach to shaping the programme.
Theme
Quality on the Boundaries: Where does quality begin and end, are there lines in testing that we won’t cross?
What does this mean in practice
The theme isn’t meant to be interpreted one way.
For some, it’s about the boundaries of the work itself. The systems, the domains, the tooling, the edges where things get unclear or uncomfortable.
For others, it’s about people. The boundaries between roles, between experience levels, between perspectives. Who owns quality, and where that ownership starts to blur.
It might be about pushing forward. Exploring new spaces, new ideas, new ways of working in a landscape that is changing quickly.
Or it might be about limits. The moments where things don’t work, where something shouldn’t be done, or where you’ve had to draw a line.
There isn’t a single “right” interpretation. That’s the point.
What matters is the experience behind it, and what others can learn from it.
What to do next
If you’re listening to this and thinking “I’ve got something there”… you probably do.
This isn’t about having the perfect abstract or the most polished idea. It’s about the things you’ve actually lived through. The messy bits, the decisions you made, the times it worked, and the times it didn’t.
Maybe you’ve pushed into a new space. Maybe you’ve been working at the edges of your role. Maybe you’ve hit a boundary and had to stop. Maybe you’ve crossed one and learned something the hard way.
That’s what we want.
And it doesn’t need to fit neatly into a box. Talks, workshops, or something a bit different, if you’ve got an idea that doesn’t quite fit, submit it anyway.
If you’re not a “tester”, that’s fine too. Quality doesn’t belong to one role, and neither does this conference.
If you’ve never spoken before, that’s not a blocker. Support is there to help shape your idea and your abstract.
And if you’re thinking “this might be a bit niche”, that’s okay. Not every talk needs to be for everyone.
So submit. Share your experience. Bring your perspective.
The programme itself is being shaped by a deliberately diverse committee, alongside Veerle and Callum, including Jacob Urantowka, Lisa Crispin, Parveen Khan and Jitesh Gosai.
And if you’re planning to attend, bring someone with you. A colleague, a friend, someone outside your usual circle.
Why #PeersCon exists (and why it matters)
Testing Peers exists because folks were working in isolation, and knew we weren't the only ones.
It grew from a small group of peers looking for connection into something much bigger, but the intent hasn’t changed. It’s still about creating a space where people can share honestly, challenge each other, and learn from real experiences.
It’s also intentionally accessible. Low cost, community-driven, and designed so people can attend without needing large budgets or corporate backing.
And in a world that is becoming more automated, more distributed, and in some ways more isolating, spaces like this matter more.
Not just for the talks, but for the conversations. The challenges. The different perspectives you don’t get day to day.
That only works if people show up.
If you want spaces like this to exist, support them. Submit. Attend. Bring others with you. Be part of it.
Part of that support is partnership.
#PeersCon is run by the community, for the community, but it does
