Why Conferences Matter—An Illustration from the International Marine Conservation Congress

Abstract

A major activity in the life of an academic is the professional conference. It is common knowledge that this is a place to present your research, but what about other benefits of attending a conference? Online surveys were distributed to delegates of the 3rd and 4th International Marine Conservation Congresses (IMCCs), with respondents' (n = 100) feedback including that the congresses provided useful new information that will aid: (1) their research (58%); (2) in-the-field conservation (29%); (3) conservation communication (46%); and (4) conservation and management policy making (45%). They also reported gaining new techniques (56%), skills (64%), and novel ideas (70%) to further their research/careers. Nearly all (91%) gained new contacts that improved their research, in-the-field conservation, science communication, and/or conservation policy making. Two thirds (64%) gained ideas, contacts, and/or lessons could lead to publications. Over a third (39%) gained new ideas, contacts and/or lessons that led to grant proposals, and 36% gained contacts that led to funding. A conference is not just an avenue for a scientist to present their research to the wider community, but it can be an important venue for brainstorming, networking and making vital connections that can lead to new initiatives, papers and funding, in a way that virtual, online meetings cannot. This is why conferences matter.

Science Communication Demands a Critical Approach That Centers Inclusion, Equity, and Intersectionality

“…Online communities can support learning and identity formation (Hall, 2009;Reed, 2013), but they do not foster the substantive interdisciplinary conversations needed to advance ISC as a cohesive intellectual framework. Conferences can generate awareness, ideas, collaborations, and dialogue (Hatcher et al, 2006;Oester et al, 2017), yet, there are few in-person opportunities for ISC researchers or practitioners to network.…”

Reply to “No time like the present: time to rethink our habits in science and continuous medical education?”

“…A truly relevant difference between virtual vs in-person conferences is the quality of communications [2]; several studies and research on deliberative methods have demonstrated that learning and collaboration are facilitated during two-way exchanges [3]. Although a speech or a presentation can be viewed by an unlimited number of the people, streaming video only facilitate one-way communication.…”

“…Although a speech or a presentation can be viewed by an unlimited number of the people, streaming video only facilitate one-way communication. For multiway communication to occur, online meetings should allow attendees to interact and ask questions; however, web conferencing can only accommodate a limited number of people, and at present tens or hundreds of attendees cannot interact together effectively [2].…”

“…Furthermore, international virtual meetings would depend on attendees in different time zones gathering online. A single time cannot oblige every time zone, and organizers are sure to lose those who live in regions where the online meeting occurs at inconvenient times [2].…”

“…Online meetings also tend to attract attendees who are already interested or working in the same field or on a similar project. Physically gathering people together encourages people to attend talks and other sessions that may seem to be o u t s i d e a n i n d i v i d u a l 's f i e l d o r i n t e r e s t s [ 2 ] . Multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral attendance at talks allows for the exchange of ideas and techniques across fields: therefore, conventional Conferences provide the means for exchange across disciplines and sectors.…”