Big Scientific Conferences Return

By Richard B. Primack

 

“I have much to learn of the Indian, nothing of the missionary.” Henry David Thoreau in The Maine Woods.

 

During the COVID pandemic, researchers considered whether scientific conferences might change in permanent ways, perhaps to be held remotely or become more inclusive. Two recent large scientific meetings—the International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB) in Kigali, Rwanda and the Ecological Society of America (ESA) in Portland, Oregon (USA)— suggest that scientific meetings have indeed changed, but not in all the ways imagined.

Photo 1: ICCB had strong representation from African countries.

Namely, the meetings were back to being held in-person, were expensive to attend, and involved long-distance travel generating greenhouse gases. Both meetings, however, emphasized diversity and the human context of science more than at previous conferences.

Photo 2: Conservation organizations brought their African staff to the ICCB meeting.

The meetings provided excellent opportunities to learn about new projects and directions in ecology and conservation, and their emphasis on diversity, Indigenous science, and working with local communities brought new voices and perspectives to the table and added to the vibrancy and quality of the meetings. 

Photo 3: Adrienne Sponberg (center) of the ESA addressed a workshop on ESA policies to encourage diversity and inclusion in the meeting and the Society.

Here is a complete report about the meetings: LINK