Together Alone: Going Online during COVID-19 Is Changing Scientific Conferences

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many scientific conferences to move online, posing a great challenge for scientific communication. This change offers potential advantages and disadvantages for inclusion, diversity, and scientific advancement. Here, we analyse participants’ experiences of the Why Study Mammographic Density? Conference to explore some of these issues and identify key points of contention between different stakeholders. We found that while increasing participant diversity is facilitated by online conferencing, if the participants cannot interact informally with each other, there is value which is lost. In returning to in-person conferences, it will be important not to “shut the door” on those whose participation was enabled by the online format.

Research trend in latex harvesting of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) based on bibliographic analysis

“…COVID-19 also changed the scientific conference's operation. While online conferences might have advantages related to accessibility and costs, the loss of informal and spontaneous face-to-face interactions might lead some researchers to re-schedule the presentation of their research results (Bray et al, 2022). A meta-analysis conducted by Raynaud et al (2021) showed an 18 % decrease in the production of non-COVID-19 research, including agriculture, from 2019 to 2021.…”

On the Return of the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education

“…Since February 2020, and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, there has been both a dramatic change in the nature of scientific conferences, including chemistry education, and in the discussion of the fate of conferences among scientists. − These changes have not diminished the sense of how important gathering to share scientific concepts is for the advancement of knowledge. Indeed, one important innovation associated with remote learning of chemistry has been finding ways to help students learn presentation skills related to chemistry in virtual environments. , Given this persistent interest in conferences, the convening of the 27th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE) in-person this summer at Purdue University represented a much anticipated step toward familiar activities for many chemistry educators, with more than 1300 individuals registered for the conference.…”

“…There have been observations that suggest the pandemic has likely changed the structure of scientific conferences for the better . Considering key factors such as cost and accessibility associated with virtual conferences suggests that what has been learned about holding online conferences − will provide lasting value. Polls of scientists suggest that the prospect of permanence for at least some of these changes are widely viewed positively .…”

“…Polls of scientists suggest that the prospect of permanence for at least some of these changes are widely viewed positively . One key example, noted in several disciplines, is that attendance for presentations at virtual conferences is easier and, therefore, tends to be higher than what is often achieved at in-person conferences . In addition, remote access helps alleviate structural barriers that have a differential impact on some members of any given academic community .…”

“…4 One key example, noted in several disciplines, is that attendance for presentations at virtual conferences is easier and, therefore, tends to be higher than what is often achieved at in-person conferences. 5 In addition, remote access helps alleviate structural barriers that have a differential impact on some members of any given academic community. 6 Ultimately, these observations related to online conferences have led others to ask the question, "Are in-person conferences dead or alive?"…”