Discussion: 12 hour conference days
in: AliC; AliC > 2019-01-03
Jan 7, 2019 12:41 PM
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Why do conferences do this? I've basically boycotted this kind of conference for the last two years - if I manage to engage for the whole first day I'm done for the rest.
We're scientists, we know we need time off the work to encode, synthesize and rest to really deal with an onslaught of new information - so why plan conferences this intensive?
My favourite conferences are the bio keystone ones that have a morning session, an afternoon off, and an early evening session. Better for networking, better for really engaging with the material and less exhausting.
It drives me crazy! No point shoving in all this information if most people are not actively engaging with it!
And don't even get started on childcare...
We're scientists, we know we need time off the work to encode, synthesize and rest to really deal with an onslaught of new information - so why plan conferences this intensive?
My favourite conferences are the bio keystone ones that have a morning session, an afternoon off, and an early evening session. Better for networking, better for really engaging with the material and less exhausting.
It drives me crazy! No point shoving in all this information if most people are not actively engaging with it!
And don't even get started on childcare...
Jan 7, 2019 2:58 PM
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I haven't seen too many conferences go as deep into the evening as that, but then I haven't been to many conferences which are as big as I suspect yours is.
Was once in charge of the program for a conference. Everyone assumed the reason why the Thursday session started 30 minutes later was because it was after the conference dinner but it was actually because it was my (and Andy Hogg's) long run morning...(The nature of the program meant that we needed one morning that started late, and figured that was a good a reason to make the choice as any).
Was once in charge of the program for a conference. Everyone assumed the reason why the Thursday session started 30 minutes later was because it was after the conference dinner but it was actually because it was my (and Andy Hogg's) long run morning...(The nature of the program meant that we needed one morning that started late, and figured that was a good a reason to make the choice as any).
Jan 7, 2019 9:22 PM
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Becks, don't get me started.... Sports conferences that are all about getting out and active and talking about how things like sitting all day is bad for your health... and then don't schedule in any active sessions...
I was actually at one recently that did have a number of active sessions built right into some of the breakout sessions. I was quite pleasantly surprised.
I was actually at one recently that did have a number of active sessions built right into some of the breakout sessions. I was quite pleasantly surprised.
Jan 7, 2019 9:45 PM
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The keystone conferences have activities you can join if you want - lots of people go skiing but I went hiking and snowshoeing...you talk to so many more people and make so many more connections! It's great!
Also Ali, forgot to comment on your super sweet half time - nice work!
Also Ali, forgot to comment on your super sweet half time - nice work!
Jan 9, 2019 4:17 AM
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AliC:
Thanks and yeah, overwhelming conference-ness!! I wanted to go to the evening sessions (kinda optional things put on by observatories to update folks on new capabilities, etc.) but have bailed both nights so far- really is just too much.
The AAS at least is really good on childcare + having a nursing moms room. They have childcare onsite and grants you can apply to in order to cover the cost. Since Tom's not at the meeting, we didn't have to use, but would have had he stayed in astro!
The AAS at least is really good on childcare + having a nursing moms room. They have childcare onsite and grants you can apply to in order to cover the cost. Since Tom's not at the meeting, we didn't have to use, but would have had he stayed in astro!
This discussion thread is closed.