Ten simple rules for switching from face-to-face to remote conference: An opportunity to estimate the reduction in GHG emissions

In 2020, the world faced the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic that drastically altered people’s lives. Since then, many countries have been forced to suspend public gatherings, leading to many conference cancellations, postponements, or reorganizations. Switching from a face-to-face to a remote conference became inevitable and the ultimate solution to sustain scientific exchanges at the national and the international levels. The same year, as a committee, we were in charge of organizing the major French annual conference that covers all computational biology areas: The “Journées Ouvertes en Biologie, Informatique et Mathématiques” (JOBIM). Despite the health crisis, we succeeded in changing the conference format from face to face to remote in a very short amount of time. Here, we propose 10 simple rules based on this experience to modify a conference format in an optimized and cost-effective way. In addition to the suggested rules, we decided to emphasize an unexpected benefit of this situation: a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to travel for scientific conference attendance. We believe that even once the SARS-CoV-2 crisis is over, we collectively will have an opportunity to think about the way we approach such scientific events over the longer term.

Virtual Learning Improves Attendance for Critical Care Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed medical educators and learners to adapt to virtual learning (VL) in an expedited manner. The effect of VL for critical care education has not yet been evaluated. In a quantitative analysis of survey data and attendance records, we sought to determine the association of VL with conference attendance and work-life balance. Attending physicians, fellows, and advanced practice providers (APP) at a pediatric critical care department at a quaternary children's hospital participated in the study. Attendance records were obtained before and after the adaption of a VL platform. In addition, an electronic, anonymous survey to evaluate current satisfaction and the strengths and weaknesses of VL as well as its impact on work-life balance was administered. In total, 31 learners (17 attending physicians, 13 fellows, and 1 APP) completed the survey. A total of 83.9% (26/31) of participants were satisfied, and 77.4% (24/31) found VL to be similar or more engaging than non-VL. However, 6.5% (2/31) of learners reported difficulty in using the new platform, 87% (27/31) of participants supported VL as an effective learning tool, and 83.3% (25/30) reported a positive impact on work-life balance. Additionally, median monthly conference attendance increased significantly from 85 to 114 attendees per month (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that a virtual model has advantages for overall attendance and work-life balance. We anticipate VL will continue to be an integral part of medical education. Future work evaluating the impact of VL on interdepartmental and interinstitutional collaborations is needed.

Eye-Opening Experiences: Physical Education Teacher Candidates’ Conference Attendance

The benefits of professional conference attendance include acquisition of knowledge and practical ideas, establishment of professional networks, exploration of job opportunities, and staying current). Yet, to date, no study has comprehensively examined physical education teacher candidates’ (TCs) conference attendance at the national level. Using occupational socialization theory, this study examined physical education TCs’ perceptions of their professional conference attendance. Participants included 12 university physical education TCs attending the 2017 Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) National Convention. Data sources included photo- elicitation interviews, participants’ diaries, photographs, and demographic questionnaires. Interview transcripts and diaries were analyzed utilizing open and axial coding. Photographs were analyzed using a reflexive approach combined with methods recognizing the contingency of visual meanings. Results indicated that the majority of formal conference sessions attended by TCs were activity/movement oriented and were selected based upon professor advice and learner interests. Prominent themes of their experience included future focused learning, relationship building, and breaking out of the comfort zone. Overall, conference attendance represents an impactful learning activity, one in which faculty play an important role in shaping TCs’ professional growth. Results indicate the importance of supporting TCs’ continual learning and development as they transition between phases of teacher socialization.

Reimagining academic conferences: Toward a federated model of conferencing

What should the post-COVID conference look like? In our attempt to answer this question, we first describe the primary functions and affordances of conferences. Our frank appraisal reveals the breadth of reasons why academics attend conferences, and how conference attendance often blends personal and professional motivations. We also elaborate some of the shortcomings of in-person conferences, spanning personal, professional, and societal concerns. Recent alternative (virtual) formats for convening scholars provide means for alleviating some of these shortcomings, but do not seem entirely up to the task of providing a fully satisfactory solution to all that conferencing can be. Moreover, we extrapolate from prior history and ongoing trends to predict that technological solutionism to conferencing is likely to unleash both positive and negative dynamics, some of which will exacerbate current ills in our profession. We then sketch out a values-based approach that can serve as a basis for reimagining academic conferences. This vision promotes a federated model of conferencing, grounded in principles of inclusion, diversity, community, and environmental stewardship.

Faculty attendance and perception of virtual educational conferences in pediatric emergency medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Attendance of in-person didactic conferences is a key component of graduate medical education and training in pediatric emergency medicine. Faculty participation in didactic conferences is important, although challenges to attendance exist. The SARS CoV-2 global pandemic disrupted in-person medical education and forced migration to virtual learning. Our goal was to describe how the change to virtual learning affected pediatric emergency medicine conference attendance by faculty in the division at a large academic medical center. Participants were also surveyed to provide insight into perceptions of virtual conferences. Methods: Faculty attendance of in-person conferences (fellow conference from 2017–2020, resident conference from 2019–2020) was compared to attendance of virtual conferences (April - June 2020). Conference participants were surveyed to assess attitudes towards the virtual format. Descriptive statistics were used to describe variables. Results: The transition to virtual learning increased pediatric emergency medicine faculty attendance of all conferences. Fellows conference attendance increased from 11.8–49.2% of available faculty (3.3 to 13.8 out of 28) (95% CI -14.0 to -9.09 p < 0.001). Resident conference attendance increased from 18.3–58.9% of available faculty (5.12 to 16.5 out of 28) (95% CI -20.89 to -8.60 p < 0.001). Survey response rate including fellows and residents was 67.5% (52/77), with 88.2% of faculty members responding to the survey (30/34). Most respondents (75%) regarded the virtual format as better or equal to in-person. All respondents (100%) indicated they would keep the option to virtually attend conference in the future. Conclusions: Virtual conferences increased faculty attendance in both fellow and resident pediatric emergency medicine educational conferences. It was well received by participants, and most would like to continue virtual learning in the future.

China's Generation Z: Students' Motivations for Conference Attendance and Preferred Conference Design

The future growth of the conference industry will depend on how well it understands the demographic trends influencing it. As members of Generation Z reach adulthood and become a target market for the conference industry, an understanding of their motivations, needs, and expectations is crucial. To date, this topic has received limited research attention. Targeting Chinese students from Generation Z, this study used an online survey to examine their motivations for conference attendance and their expectations with regards to conference design. China is an emerging market with huge conference potential. The key findings show that: 1) destination characteristics and educational and professional opportunities are important motivators for China’s Generation Z to attend a conference; 2) edutainment, interactivity, short sessions, use of technology, and sustainability practices are expected to be implemented into event design; and 3) face-to-face, web site and e-mail are the preferred communication channels with the conference organiser and other conference participants. Although for the most part, the characteristics of Generation Z in China seem to be aligned with Generation Z elsewhere, in the conference sector context it is important to acknowledge and appreciate the country-specific nuances in Generation Z preferences, and conference organisers must acknowledge and adapt to these preferences. This research will assist the conference industry to make necessary adjustments to existing products and services, and to identify new opportunities to develop products and services that will resonate with this new market.

Conference equity in global health: a systematic review of factors impacting LMIC representation at global health conferences

IntroductionGlobal health conferences are important platforms for knowledge exchange, decision-making and personal and professional growth for attendees. Neocolonial patterns in global health at large and recent opinion reports indicate that stakeholders from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may be under-represented at such conferences. This study aims to describe the factors that impact LMIC representation at global health conferences.MethodsA systematic review of articles reporting factors determining global health conference attendance was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Articles presenting conference demographics and data on the barriers and/or facilitators to attendance were included. Articles were screened at title and abstract level by four independent reviewers. Eligible articles were read in full text, analysed and evaluated with a risk of bias assessment.ResultsAmong 8765 articles screened, 46 articles met inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis yielded two themes: ‘barriers to conference attendance’ and ‘facilitators to conference attendance’. In total, 112 conferences with 254 601 attendees were described, of which 4% of the conferences were hosted in low-income countries. Of the 98 302 conference attendees, for whom affiliation was disclosed, 38 167 (39%) were from LMICs.Conclusion‘Conference inequity’ is common in global health, with LMIC attendees under-represented at global health conferences. LMIC attendance is limited by systemic barriers including high travel costs, visa restrictions and lower acceptance rates for research presentations. This may be mitigated by relocating conferences to visa-friendly countries, providing travel scholarships and developing mentorship programmes to enable LMIC researchers to participate in global conferences.