Virtual conferences were rare before the COVID-19 epidemic swept the world. Conferences were always in person, and I’ll bet many of you hadn’t even heard of successful virtual conferences before 2020.
I was skeptical when I first heard conferences were going to go virtual. How can you network? How can you effectively communicate your science on a computer screen?
But six months into the pandemic, things didn’t look like they were going to get better any time soon, and I wanted to start practicing presenting my research! So I bit the bullet, applied, and was accepted for the Eastern Scientific Research Forum (ESRF) and the University of Miami Graduate Research Symposium.
This is my take on virtual conferences!
Why do conferences at all?
Conferences sound scary at the first mention. Presenting your work to a bunch of strangers and then waiting for them to ask questions and pick apart your life’s work.
However conferences are how scientists stay on top of all the new research constantly pouring out of labs across the world, and allow us a way to practice communicating our research to people outside of our lab. They provide a space to network, potentially finding your next job, and also the luxury of an (often paid for) “vacation”.
Many labs, if well enough funded, will pay for their scientists to go to conferences all across the world because of the benefits it provides the scientist (i.e. communicating your research) and increases the exposure of your lab’s work. This means that you get to travel on your lab’s money!
Pros of a virtual conference
- Not have to worry about traveling or conference costs
As I just mentioned, conferences used to be held all over the world. Some researchers are lucky in that their lab, school, or grant provides funding to cover the costs of attending conferences (flight travel, entry fees, hotel costs). But other researchers have to pay out of pocket for everything, which could cost thousands. Virtual conferences eliminate, or at least drastically reduce, the cost barrier where the only expense now might be a ~$100 registration fee.
- Easier to hear and understand presenters
This is a big one for me! When all the speakers are talking into their computers, they are able to ensure an easy listening experience for everyone. However in person conferences, especially in the busy poster sessions, it can get very hard to hear people speaking. Virtual conferences provide a much better listening experience, and some talks are even subtitled!
- Only need to dress business professional on the top half
Of course you have to dress professionally for conferences, BUT if everyone can only see your top half, no one has to know you are wearing your pajama bottoms!
Cons of a virtual conference
- Very hard to network
A big factor so many researchers go to conferences is to network, be it to find collaborations, your next job, or even just to make friends you might turn to a few years down the road. Virtual conferences almost eliminate the chance to network. Sure there can be socials, and I have heard from one person who had a successful networking session to get a post-doc position. But for the most part you are missing that spontaneous conversation you might have with someone between sessions, or who you happen to sit next to at lunch!
- Not able to really practice answering questions about your research (at least in the format mine were in)
Another key component why so many researchers go to conferences is to practice sharing their research to people not in their direct field, and answer questions. At this stage in my research, this was the most important aspect to why I wanted to go to conferences, to have someone test my knowledge base and my project goals. Unfortunately, none of this happened. People are a lot more shy to talk to you or ask questions and even the moderator asking repeatedly for questions won’t change that.
- Participants aren’t as engaged and don’t show up for all of the conference
Conferences are also a place to learn new information and ideas, but in person conferences keep you accountable because people will see if you aren’t there. In virtual conferences, if it is just a matter of seeing someone’s name in a participant list, are a lot less willing to show up to sessions they are not supposed to be active in. I had an awkward situation where I showed up to an oral presentation session where I was the only person there who wasn’t an administrator or someone presenting!
- You don’t get to travel
Finally, the most obvious negative to a virtual conference, is you don’t get to travel to the cool place the conference would be held. Sure, this means it costs less, but with conferences happening in Japan and Germany, I’d much rather fly there and explore the country too instead of sit behind another zoom screen.
Final Thoughts
All of this being said, virtual conferences are better than no conferences! As you might have already guessed, I would prefer in person conferences. But who knows when we will be able to have in person conferences again?
Some may disagree with me, because conferences are so much more accessible and disability friendly than they had ever been before, and I do think this may change the way a lot of conferences are organized. But I want the questions, the meeting new people, and the excitement that comes with in person conferences. Hopefully I’m able to attend at least one before I graduate!
