Changing scientific meetings for the better

Sarabipour, Sarvenaz; Khan, Aziz; Seah, Seng Hong; Mwakilili, Aneth D.; Mumoki, Fiona N.; Sáez, Pablo J.; Schwessinger, Benjamin; Debat, Humberto Julio; Meštrović, Tomislav

doi:10.1038/s41562-021-01067-y

Cited by 121 publications

(132 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…This implies that in-person conferences would always have an advantage with respect to these aspects, and when we conceptualize the hybrid conference format going ahead, we need to ensure that they are maintained. Therefore, we believe that organizers and societies should continue striving to provide travel fellowships and services 7 (such as child care) to allow broad access to the in-person experience.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, in our analyses, we observed a dramatic increase in the number of participants from underrepresented minorities, as well as international attendants, including those from developing countries. The virtual conference platform offers increased accessibility and reduced administrative burden and more flexible programs compared to in-person ones, especially for international participants 7 . The remote format allowed more people to present their work and attend events by offering recorded lectures by on-demand online services and eliminating physical space limitations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, we believe that organizers and societies should continue striving to provide travel fellowships and services 7 (such as child care) to allow broad access to the in-person experience.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This advantage not only provides flexibility in who can attend but also promises to break logistical barriers associated with physical traveling and to connect researchers across the globe. Virtual conferences are not bound to one physical location, which promises to increase global participation and promote inclusivity 6,7 . Another major advantage is the reduction of cost, not only in terms of registration fees and travel by the attendees but also in terms of organizing the conference itself 8 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Virtual meetings promise to eliminate the geographical and administrative barriers and increase accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity

Rajesh

Huang

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The COVID-19 pandemic brought a new set of unprecedented challenges not only for healthcare, education, and everyday jobs but also in terms of academic conferences. In this study, we investigate the effect of the broad adoption of virtual platforms for academic conferences as a response to COVID-19 restrictions. We show that virtual platforms enable higher participation from underrepresented minority groups, increased inclusion, and broader geographic distribution. We also discuss emerging challenges associated with the virtual conference format resulting in a decreased engagement of social activities, limited possibilities of cross-fertilization between participants, and reduced peer-to-peer interactions. Lastly, we conclude that a novel comprehensive approach needs to be adopted by the conference organizers to ensure increased accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity of post-pandemic conferences. Our findings provide evidence favoring a hybrid format for future conferences, marrying the strength of both in-person and virtual platforms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Virtual meetings promise to eliminate the geographical and administrative barriers and increase accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity

Rajesh

Huang

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…In response to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, academic conferences and workshops rapidly moved online. Virtual conferences reduce costs and lower an event’s carbon footprint, while providing equitable access to scientists who can’t travel due to limited funding, visa constraints, health issues, or family care obligations 1 . The shift to virtual formats may have long-term benefits for early career researchers (ECRs) and scientists from countries with limited research funding, who face disproportionate obstacles in attending expensive, in-person events 2 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference

2021

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Many conferences and in-person meetings have transitioned to virtual platforms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we share strategies and lessons learned from organizing an international virtual unconventional conference, or ‘unconference’. The event focused on how early career researchers can advocate for systemic improvements in scientific publishing and research culture. The virtual unconference had three main components: (1) a virtual networking event, (2) asynchronous virtual brainstorming, and (3) a virtual open space, where participants could join or lead in-depth discussions. The unconference format was participant-driven and encouraged dialogue and collaboration between 54 attendees from 20 countries on six continents. Virtual brainstorming allowed participants to contribute to discussions at times that were convenient for them. Activity was consistently high throughout the 48 hours of virtual brainstorming and continued into the next day. The results of these discussions are collaboratively summarized in a paper entitled Empowering Early Career Researchers to Improve Science, co-authored by the unconference participants. We hope that this method report will help others to organize asynchronous virtual unconferences, while also providing new strategies for participant-driven activities that could be integrated into conventional virtual conferences.

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A quality improvement apprenticeship: Gross anatomy in the time of Covid‐19

Hatcher

Pearson

Platt

2022

Anatomical Sciences Ed

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In a historical sense, the study of anatomy has long been a tactile, physical, and extant art: using the hands and eyes to study the human body, often in the form of a theatrical spectacle based on cadaver dissection (de Carvalho Filho et al., 2021;Brenna, 2022).Well into the modern era, little has changed about learning anatomical sciences. Students (university students of all levels, including professional students of medicine and science) study under skilled masters (anatomy faculty) in small-group settings to learn the form of the body. Many of those students, especially doctoral students, may go on to train others in the fine art of dissection, perpetuating the well-established tradition of learning in a master/journeyman/ apprentice model.

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Changing scientific meetings for the better

Cited by 121 publications

References 15 publications

Virtual meetings promise to eliminate the geographical and administrative barriers and increase accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity

Virtual meetings promise to eliminate the geographical and administrative barriers and increase accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity

How to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference

A quality improvement apprenticeship: Gross anatomy in the time of Covid‐19

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