Considering the current corona situation, don't you think that it may be time to reconsider the old structure of scientific conferences with some all-remote digital based types? Some may say other motivations such as travelling and networking may not be satisfied in online-type conferences. What would you say? Doesn't it ring a bell?
Over the years I have presented papers at conferences all over Europe, coast to coast in America, on all continents except South America and as far east as Japan. On the positive side, this was (Clearly) good fun, it was encouraged by the University and was a fine basis for networking internationally with fellow Colour Scientists. In modern times, the resulting massive carbon footprint for 100 plus delegates at each conference is unacceptable and must be avoided, so, on this count alone I must answer yes. Further, digital communication of text, images and video have greatly improved and have become a commonplace feature of our life culture, thus much reducing the need for face to face contact.
There are however two significant consequences of this culture. Firstly, researchers must maintain a clear responsibility for their own technical commercial and scientific activity; secondly, those in charge of moral and scientific propriety must remain both active and effective.
Absolutely! The exceptional situation that the world is experiencing following a possible spread of the global epidemic must compel universities to take an educational and research initiative by resorting to preventive measures guaranteeing the continuity of teaching. This initiative consists of the online publication of searchable course content, covering a period of at least one month of teaching, on the establishment's website (preferably on the establishment's platform) or on any other medium. All the necessary technical measures must be taken into account in order to maintain communication and contact at a distance between the teacher and the student. The same is true for international conferences requiring researchers to travel by air. It is preferable to organize conferences remotely to avoid a possible epidemic and at the same time reduce the carbon footprint of researchers.
Regards
As a member of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), some time ago, I was thinking along the same lines as your proposal. In AFS, there are annual chapter, division and national meetings. The travel time involved is substantial, not to mention the expense. Best practices regarding lifestyle impacts on climate change were the underlying motivating factors behind my thoughts. However, in the age of very sophisticated multimedia, it seems more than reasonable for organizations to consider alternatives to traditional gatherings. Conversely, nothing seems to be able to match the value of face to face, in person, conversation. Perhaps there is a happy medium we should consider.
In consideration to the situation on hand racking havoc globally, I will say yes. However, it will be better to have a combined system where there should be room of choice to participants. As nothing can for now replace the impact of face to face system. In this way the danger will be reduced to a manageable level.
The corona virus aside, all-remote conferences should become the norm. They will eliminate the GHGs associated with air travel, which is the usual means of getting to them. They will be potentially be more inclusive, especially the unheard voices which cannot get to residential conferences because of affordability. The will lessen the out-of-circulation time of participants and as a result could at least be semesterised and held more frequently instead being held annually.
Eventually some combination of virtual reality, AI, and holographic technology should be able to give us an interactive telepresence that is a close simulation of face-to-face networking and traversing of the space of a conference venue.
https://interestingengineering.com/vr-and-holographic-technology-make-the-star-trek-holodeck-a-reality
Bachir Achour That's exactly what I say. It's funny if a conference in fields related to environmental sciences itself introduce a high carbon footprint. It's a violation of purpose.
Emmanuel V Murray Good for your for your early movement. I hope the other universities and research centers move toward that way ASAP.
Its a good idea, specially when considering the current situation of Corona outbreak. There should be alternatives to the traditional style of conferencing.
Agreed!
It’s official: The World Health Organization (WHO) just declared that the ongoing coronavirus outbreak is a pandemic.
https://futurism.com/neoscope/coronavirus-outbreak-officially-pandemic
How canceled events and self-quarantines save lives, in one chart (This is how we all help slow the spread of coronavirus):
https://www.vox.com/2020/3/10/21171481/coronavirus-us-cases-quarantine-cancellation
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