Congress publications in a post- COVID world

Objective: To investigate how medical congresses have evolved since the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on how healthcare professionals interact with and develop congress publications. Research design and methods: International and regional congresses (2019-2022) in two therapy areas (obesity and oncology) were included. Data on attendance, attendee demographics, registration fees, and virtual capabilities were obtained from publicly- available sources or contacting congresses directly. Data on accepted publications were from authors' experience. Result(s): Twenty-three congresses were included. Congresses moved from face-to-face to fully virtual in 2020 and 2021, with most becoming hybrid in 2022. Despite the option of virtual attendance, total attendee numbers did not significantly change compared with pre-pandemic levels, although slightly decreased in 2021. Registration fees decreased during 2020-2021 but returned to pre-pandemic levels (regardless of virtual/live attendance) by 2022. Virtual and hybrid congresses provided access to oral session recordings and digital posters via congress apps or websites for a limited time after the event. In general, a broader range of digital publications was supported in 2021/2022, often associated with shorter lead times. Conclusion(s): Since the COVID-19 pandemic, congresses have embraced hybrid formats, offering virtual attendance options and a range of digital possibilities. Overall attendance and demographics remain relatively unchanged. Delegate testimonials support in-person attendance, citing the value of networking opportunities. Broader digital options from virtual congresses may be confounded by general advancements in journal publication extenders. As publication professionals, it is important to consider how congress delegates interact with live and digital content, and adapt content and delivery to maximise impact and optimise dissemination to all audiences.

Consumer Behavior in the Post-COVID-19 Era: The Impact of Perceived Interactivity on Behavioral Intention in the Context of Virtual Conferences

This study investigated the impact of perceived interactivity on behavioral intention in the context of virtual conferences in the post-COVID-19 era. With academic conferences moving exclusively online due to the pandemic, there is a gap in the literature regarding attendees' attitudes and perceived benefits regarding these events. This study developed the technology acceptance model (TAM) by treating perceived conference interactivity as the antecedent construct of the TAM. The moderating role of self-congruity and the mediating effect of perceived quality were also studied to understand the behavioral intention of attending future virtual conferences. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), a sample of 327 academic staff members in Lebanon was analyzed. Our study found that perceived interactivity and quality both positively influenced behavioral intentions. Additionally, perceived interactivity was positively associated with the perceived quality of virtual conferences, and self-congruity further strengthened this relationship. Our study also revealed that perceived quality mediates the relationship between perceived interactivity and behavioral intention to attend future virtual conferences. This study fills a gap in the literature by examining the impact of perceived interactivity and quality on behavioral intention toward virtual conferences in the post-COVID-19 era. Our findings provide insights into consumer behavior at virtual conferences and can contribute to the development of the TAM via an exploration of its applicability in the context of online events.

Future Vehicles May Arrive Soon [Automotive Electronics]

After the two last virtual conferences in 2019 and 2020 run by Prof. Pablo Arboleya from the University of Oviedo (Spain), the IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference (VPPC) was held for the first time in Merced, California, USA, last November. The conference was organized by a very motivated team from the University of California, Merced, led by Prof. Ricardo De Castro. With the motto 'connect green e-motion' worldwide in a complete network, the four-day conference delivered insight and intelligence from several key players at the forefront of hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) development. A very attractive program was prepared, including four outstanding keynote speeches, three tutorial lectures, and the in person or virtual presentation of 143 papers. During the last conference day, attendees had the opportunity to visit two technical sites: TRC California and the University of California, Berkeley. VPPC 2022 was the first VPPC after the COVID-19 lockdowns and was run in hybrid mode, with in-person and online attendees. VPPC 2022 continues to be the venue for researchers, educators, and engineers to share the latest results in research, teaching, and development of EV and hybrid vehicles and related technologies, as shown in Figure 1. It was an important forum where the academic and industrial communities and policymakers discussed new technology trends and collaboration for mutual development at a crucial time just before the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference. © 2005-2012 IEEE.

Reverse adoption of information and communication technology among organisers of academic conferences.

This study examines the formats offered for academic conferences in the mature stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two out of three organisers discontinue their usage of online video tools and focus on in-person conferences. Only one out of five conferences offers hybrid solutions and even fewer a virtual alternative (13%). Data for the analysis originate from 547 calls for proposals announced in Spring 2022 for conferences to be held during the period August 2022 to July 2023. Estimates using a multinomial logit model show that the planning time is significantly related to the choice of format offered. The longer the lead time, the more likely it is to offer an in-person conference. International travel restrictions and bans on gatherings for the location of the venue at the time of planning are significantly related to the choice of virtual, but not hybrid formats. There are also large differences in the choice across disciplines, with conferences in arts and humanities as well as natural sciences showing the lowest preference for the virtual format.

Ten Steps to Organize a Virtual Scientific Symposium and Engage Your Global Audience.

The paper describes guidelines for the planning, organization, and successful execution of virtual, global scientific conferences for global audiences. The guidelines are based on experience and lessons learned during the organization of the 3-day 2020 Virtual Systems Chemistry Symposium hosted on Zoom webinar and Twitter, held on May 2020 with over 1000 registered participants from 46 different countries.

Convening the International Drama in Education Research Institute (IDIERI) Conference: Past, present and futures

Since its inaugural conference in 1995, the International Drama in Education Research Institute (IDIERI) Conference has become one of the prominent research meetings in the field of drama education and applied theatre. Held triennially, the IDIERI Conference has brought together leading academics and practitioners to share practices and deepen their critical engagement with research. Recently, though, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health and international travel, as well as growing concerns around lowering carbon emissions, has thrown the purpose of academic conferences into existential uncertainty. In July 2022, the University of Warwick is set to host the tenth IDIERI Conference as a ‘hybrid’ live in-person and virtual conference with accompanying ‘local’ modes of workshop facilitation. This article offers a timely retrospective informed by reflections from past convenors and related literature. We analyse IDIERI’s role in the research community, focusing on its scope, its shifting boundaries and intersections, its internationalism and diversity, as well as its significance in the future sustainability of our evolving discipline. © 2022. Intellect Ltd Article. English language. https://doi.org/10.1386/atr_00059_1

Hope for Resuming Our In-Person Events [President's Message]

The hybrid format of IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC) 2022, held 20-24 March in Houston, Tx, USA, was a refreshing change from the virtual conferences of the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of hundreds of organizers and volunteers, APEC 2022 signals the return to our in-person events. It was a joyful reunion of IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) members, volunteers and exhibitors. The breakfast event of 'WiE, YP, and You: How to become involved with PELS and PSMA too' was a huge success, the fruit of the tireless work of the PELS Women in Engineering (WiE) and Young Professionals (YP) Committees. You can find detailed materials including FAQs of many programs of the PELS, prepared by dozens of PELS volunteers on the WiE events website: https://www.ieee-pels.org/membership/wie/wie-events. The 'YP Reception at APEC 2022' cosponsored by PELS and Industry Applications Society (IAS) attracted over 100 young professionals and students to a social gathering at The Grotto, Houston. Our hybrid Spring Administrative Committee (AdCom) Meeting and several PELS standing committee meetings held during APEC 2022 presented a venue for our volunteers and friends to catch up. © 2014 IEEE.

Shifting to Smart Conferences: Author Perceptions of Presenting Virtually at the 2021 Associated Schools of Construction Conference

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption to academic institutions as well as the conferences associated with those disciplines. The Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) was among those affected and was forced to cancel their 2020 conference and shift their 2021 conference to a Smart Conference. This study collected feedback from the authors to gauge their perceptions of presenting in a virtual format to determine if the ASC should continue to integrate smart options for future events post-pandemic. The results indicated that the smart option for presenting conference proceedings papers was well received, and that almost 60% of the respondents indicated that if a smart option was available in the future, they would be more inclined to submit a paper for publication. These results indicate that an opportunity exists for the ASC to broaden its engagement with faculty members and further its mission to advance construction education by embracing Smart Conference techniques at future events. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

The utility and educational impact of a virtual webinar to deliver an international undergraduate cardiovascular conference

80 Figure 1ConclusionOur virtual conference provided opportunities to students that the COVID-19 pandemic would have otherwise affected, however its utility and educational impact will need to be assessed within its individual context of delivery.Conflict of InterestNil

Trends in scientific communication and continuing education in Forensic Sciences during the pandemic of COVID-19: The role of virtual conferences and experiences of the 2020 Online Congress of the Brazilian Society of Forensic Sciences

The pandemic of COVID-19 has changed the landscape of scientific meetings in 2020, leading to the cancellation, postponement or change of format in many conferences. The latter type of change involved the conversion of in-person to virtual meetings. The decision as well as the logistics involved in these changes are not easy. However, the benefits and gains provided by virtual scientific conferences through 2020 in many disciplines have shown that this format can overcome many challenges and promote the diversity in Forensic Sciences conferences as well. In this paper, the benefits and potentials of virtual conferences in Forensic Sciences, including Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology, in promoting scientific communication, accessibility, diversity and continuing education is discussed, in the light of the experiences of the Brazilian Society of Forensic Sciences with the 2020 SBCF Online Congress. The experiences obtained with virtual scientific meetings in 2020 have shown that these formats are very promising and important, and should be increasingly incorporated in future scientific meetings, as an alternative strategy to promote scientific communication, reaching large audiences, without travel limitations and at reduced costs for the attendees. However, this approach should not replace in-person meetings, which have many benefits that cannot be replaced by virtual meetings. Therefore, the combination of online and in-person meetings can be very useful strategies.

Gender diversity of keynote speakers at virtual academic conferences

In this study, the gender representation of keynote speakers at conferences before and during the Covid-19 pandemic is investigated. Data is based on 162 academic conferences in tourism and related fields during the period 2019 to mid-2022. These conferences have 546 keynote speakers of which 4 per cent are representing low- or middle-income countries and slightly more than a third are women. Results based on Fractional Logit estimations reveal that the opportunity to attend conferences online during the pandemic does not significantly increase the proportion of women among keynote speakers. The proportion of female keynote speakers is unevenly distributed across the original regions for the scheduled conferences or the hosting institutions. It is highest for conferences organised in Australia/New Zealand and lowest in Asia. Conferences that span over several days have a relatively larger offer of female keynote speakers than shorter ones.

Exploring Hybrid: A (hybrid) SIG to discuss hybrid conferences

In this special interest group (SIG), we follow up on previous conversations around hybrid models for conferences, conducted in open sessions by the ACM Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (SIGCHI) Executive Committee (EC). The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sudden shift to virtual conferences;as we start to go back to in-person events, it is important to reflect on the types of events we desire, and design these accordingly. With this SIG, we hope to share experiences from previous conferences (successful or not) and discuss potential solutions to pending issues. This SIG will be led by VP at Large Adriana S. Vivacqua, with the participation of other EC members. © 2022 Owner/Author.

Mentoring in Times of Crisis and Beyond.

During the global crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, university programs, meetings, and conferences have moved to virtual settings, with consequent erosion of mentorship opportunities for students and early-career professionals. This calls for mentorship platforms that are adapted to the new landscape in order to bring about a positive change. Our Viewpoint Article shares the perspective of the Transformative Education program and Mentorship Talks initiative at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, with the aim of providing insights that could stimulate other mentorship platforms.

Low Carbon Transport for a Modern Working Environment

Due to the impact of unexpected circumstances such as COVID-19, several adaptations have been made to the current working environment which makes it more conducive for less travel. For example, because of the pandemic more individuals are working from home and do not need to travel daily to and from a workplace. In addition, some workplace practices such as the ‘10-day fortnight’ have been introduced. Furthermore, due to virtual meetings and conferences there is less demand for international and domestic business flights. Although this potentially means less daily travel, this also has negative implications as individuals are more likely to choose a method of transport that's convenient and cost effective. This often means using a personal vehicle. Public transport has been negatively impacted because of the pandemic and will require a significant behavioural change to recover and consolidate its position as a viable alternative to the personal vehicles. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Heads in the clouds: On the carbon footprint of conference-seeded publications in the advancement of knowledge.

The carbon footprint of flying overseas to conferences, meetings, and workshops to share and build knowledge has been increasingly questioned over the last two decades, especially in environmental and climate sciences, due to the related colossal carbon emissions. Here, we infer the value of scientific meetings through the number of publications produced either directly or indirectly after attending a scientific conference, symposium, or workshop (i.e., the conference-related production) and the number of publications produced per meeting (i.e., the conference-related productivity) as proxies for the academic value of these meetings, and relate them to both the number of meetings attended and the related carbon emissions. We show that conference-related production and productivity, respectively, increase and decay with the number of meetings attended, and noticeably that the less productive people exhibit the largest carbon footprint. Taken together, our results imply that a twofold decrease in the carbon footprint F CO 2 of a given scientist would result in a twofold increase in productivity through a fivefold decrease in the number of meeting attended. In light of these figures, we call for both the implementation of objective and quantitative criteria related to the optimum number of conferences to attend in an effort to maximize scientific productivity while minimizing the related carbon footprint, and the development of a rationale to minimize the carbon emission related to scientific activities.

When international academic conferences go virtual.

This study investigates the extent to which international academic conferences changes format to virtual when faced by sudden Covid-19 related immobility. Data on 587 conferences in the fields of business, economics, information technology, management and other social sciences that were planned to be held between March and August 2020 are retrieved from authorised conference listings. Approximately 28% of the conferences changed to virtual format during the period of time studied. Probit estimations reveal that the probability of changing format to virtual increases with the country of location (United States), planning horizon and the available quality of broadband infrastructure in the scheduled conference country. However, the role of planning horizon differs across fields and location of the conference. The probability of virtual conferences is highest in the United States and for academic conferences in the field of information technology.

Virtual conferences raise standards for accessibility and interactions.

Scientific conferences have an important role in the exchange of ideas and knowledge within the scientific community. Conferences also provide early-career researchers with opportunities to make themselves known within their field of research. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought traditional in-person conferences to a halt for the foreseeable future, the growth of virtual conferences has highlighted many of the disadvantages associated with the in-person format and demonstrated the advantages of moving these events online. Here, based on data from in-person and virtual conferences in a range of subjects, we describe how virtual conferences are more inclusive, more affordable, less time-consuming and more accessible worldwide, especially for early-career researchers. Making conferences more open and inclusive will provide both immediate and long-term benefits to the scientific community.

The new norm: Computer Science conferences respond to COVID-19.

The disruption from COVID-19 has been felt deeply across all walks of life. Similarly, academic conferences as one key pillar of dissemination and interaction around research and development have taken a hit. We analyse an interesting focal point as to how conferences in the area of Computer Science have reacted to this disruption with respect to their mode of offering and registration prices, and whether their response is contingent upon specific factors such as where the conference was to be hosted, its ranking, its publisher or its original scheduled date. To achieve this, we collected metadata associated with 170 conferences in the area of Computer Science and as a means of comparison; 25 Psychology conferences. We show that conferences in the area of Computer Science have demonstrated agility and resilience by progressing to an online mode due to COVID-19 (approximately 76% of Computer Science conferences moved to an online mode), many with no changes in their schedule, particularly those in North America and those with a higher ranking. Whilst registration fees have lowered by an average of 42% due to the onset of COVID-19, conferences still have to facilitate attendance on a large scale due to the logistics and costs involved. In conclusion, we discuss the implications of our findings and speculate what they mean for conferences, including those in Computer Science, in the post-COVID-19 world.