hauschke

I am currently preparing for my first post-lockdown on-site conferences (besides one in my hometown).

The costs, the effort (family organisation, hotel search, logistics...), the travelling: I find it hard to justify. The more events that are held virtually, the better, cheaper, more CO2-efficient and, above all, more inclusive.

#ConferenceCulture #AcademicAirTravel #Inclusiveness #scholcomm

Jul 26, 2023 at 7:44amWeb
Show threadLudo WaltmanJul 26, 2023
@hauschke Yes, indeed! I find it depressing to see that so many conferences have moved back to the old-fashioned in-person-only model.
Show threadhauschkeJul 26, 2023

@LudoWaltman

I try to organize all events virtually now.

But I have to admit that especially the disadvantages of the newer ones in the field regarding networking are enormous. The beer garden meetings or the pizza in the lunch break can be the basis for a lifelong important contact. And that is disappearing.

The alternatives I know (mostly video chats and avatars in 8-bit landscapes) are at best crutches for those who already know each other - at least from my personal point of view.

Show threadOsma SuominenJul 26, 2023

@hauschke @LudoWaltman

I think we need to do some of both, just like (at $WORKPLACE) we've gone from having physical-only to virtual-only on to the current state of virtual/hybrid meetings plus physical-only workshops and special events.

Many events can be virtual-only. But there is a need for occasional in-person networking as well. How to do that in a way that is climate-friendly, inclusive, practical etc. is a hard nut to crack. But definitely reducing overall travel is the way to go.

Show threadBen Companjen 🟥Jul 26, 2023
@LudoWaltman @hauschke I feel the same. I do like the social interactions around the conference programme, like hearing what drives people.
Show threadSebastian KarcherJul 26, 2023
@hauschke I don't think inclusivity is clear-cut here. There are definitely groups excluded by in-person conferences (and I agree going back to the status quo ante is bad), but there are also benefits to the type of community building that works best during in-person conferences (e.g., marginalized folks finding & socializing with others 'like them')
Show threadhauschkeJul 26, 2023

@adam42smith Yes, it's not clear-cut, and the grey area is certainly variable depending on the individual prerequisites. However, if there are children to organise, if there are considerable costs associated with conf participation, then a lot of people fall out.

Participation in virtual confs (with kids, from the homeoffice) is associated with quite specific other hurdles. And of course we should not forget the generally poorer opportunities for new people in the field to build up a network.