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Moving conferences online: lessons learned from an international virtual meeting.
- Source :
- Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences; 10/27/2021, Vol. 288 Issue 1961, p1-7, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- We consider the opportunities and challenges associated with organizing a conference online, using a case study of a medium-sized (approx. 400 participants) international conference held virtually in August 2020. In addition, we present quantifiable evidence of the participants' experience using the results from an online post-conference questionnaire. Although the virtual meeting was not able to replicate the in-person experience in some aspects (e.g. less engagement between participants) the overwhelming majority of respondents found the meeting an enjoyable experience and would join similar events again. Notably, there was a strong desire for future in-person meetings to have at least some online component. Online attendance by lower-income researchers was higher compared with a past, similar-themed in-person meeting held in a high-income nation, but comparable to one held in an upper-middle-income nation. This indicates that online conferences are not a panacea for diversity and inclusivity, and that holding in-person meetings in developing economies can be at least as effective. Given that it is now relatively easy to stream contents of meetings online using low-cost methods, there are clear benefits in making all presented content accessible online, as well as organizing online networking events for those unable to attend in person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- VIRTUAL communities
ONLINE education
CONFERENCES & conventions
QUESTIONNAIRES
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09628452
- Volume :
- 288
- Issue :
- 1961
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 153347643
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.1769