Challenges and opportunities in transitioning meetings online

[ealescak]

Title of the session: Challenges and opportunities in transitioning meetings online

Session details

• Session type: Breakout discussion

• Keywords: community, communication, accessibility, outreach, inclusion

• Permission to record this session: Yes

Abstract

We value scientific meetings because they provide opportunities to interact with our colleagues to share our research, build our skills, and launch new collaborations. Because of the value placed on these gatherings, conference organizers have been reluctant during the pandemic to cancel scheduled meetings and instead have gone through great lengths to quickly pivot to online formats to continue to meet the needs of their community members. In moving to online platforms, conference organizers can no longer default to traditional in-person practices, which can be exclusive to participants who may already feel marginalized in their communities. Rather, organizers can be proactive about innovating inclusive conference practices. In this breakout discussion, we’ll share challenges in planning meetings, how we can turn these challenges into opportunities, and benefits of transitioning to virtual meetings.

Goals:

1. Identify ways to make meetings more accessible
2. Develop strategies to build and sustain connections among meeting participants
3. Share resources for identifying online tools and platforms

Personal details

• Name or pseudo name of the session lead: Emily Lescak (ealescak)

• Co-leads' names (we recommend involving 2 helpers/co-leads): Sarvenaz Sarabipour, Vinodh Ilangovan, Rachael Ainsworth

• Email or other ways to contact the session leads/co-leads: ssarabi2@jhu.edu, vinodh.ilangovan@gmail.com, rachael.ainsworth@manchester.ac.uk

• Country of residence and/or compatible Time Zones (provide options): US Alaska Time Zone (UTC - 8); compatible with North - South America and Oceania - North America

• Would you like to present this multiple times, in other time zones: Can present in North - South America and/or Oceania - North America as well as Europe - Middle East - Africa

• Would you like to volunteer to be listed as a wrangler/host for your time zone: Contact me with more details

Is there any help you would like to invite from the community? Please provide below in bullet points.

• Other comments: WRITE HERE

[ousodaniel]

@ealescak thanks for your interest in regional hosting, check out the details here please. We'd love to see you sign up. Best

[InquisitiveVi]

Thanks @ealescak ! I will be happy to help co-lead in Europe, Middle East, Africa time zone, assuming there will be larger interest.

[ealescak]

Thanks @InquisitiveVi

[rainsworth]

Hi @ealescak - I would love to help co-lead! I'm based in the UK, so I'm best suited to Europe, Middle East, Africa time zones as well as some North American time zones - but happy to help regardless.

[serahkiburu]

Hi @ealescak, the organising committee reviewed this session proposal and had this to say:

This break-out session to discuss ways to make online meeting and conference more accessible and inclusive is very relevant and useful for a wide audience. It aims to get people talk about improving meetings with inclusion and diversity in mind and we commend the session leads for that.

Really excited for your session, and more details i.e. around scheduling will be shared with you in the coming days. Let me know if I can answer any questions or clarify anything for the time being.

[ealescak]

Thanks @serahrono !