From the Editor: Are you attending this conference?

We are constantly inundated with offers for internet seminars, discussion groups, and short meetings on interesting topics. These are pitched as convenient since you can access them often at any time, even post event, on any device with no flight delays, hotel costs, or loss of several days for travel out of the office. Sounds good all around. So why do we still make an effort to pack our bags and all our computing equipment together with piles of work, arrange for caregivers at home, and travel cross country to that conference? I decided for our discussion today to look into this in more detail.

First, in spite of the internet “conveniences” we are social animals (even though the public thinks that scientists and particularly academically oriented members of this species are lone wolves). My more in-depth look into reasons for conference attendance yielded I believe the answers to their value to us as scientists in spite of the financial constraints we all face with travel funds.

One of the many reasons for attending conferences is that scientists can share their data and get in-person feedback from other participants on improving their work, a reason many young scientists identify as one of their top motivations. Then there are the learning from other researchers’ papers and oral presentations and the chance to learn about new topics, methods, applications, and interpretations as well as new related areas. Often new collaborators are located at conferences, and sometimes we may arrange new studies with groups from areas of science that we had not considered before. Finally, there is the networking that many of us value so much and the opportunity of meeting new people, some of them known only by names from their published papers in journals.

Some additional thoughts from young investigators are taken from an article by Elizabeth Pain titled “How to Get the Most out of Attending Conferences” (www.sciencemag.org/careers/2017/05/how-get-most-out-attending-conferenc…):

“I find conferences rejuvenating. They are inspirational and energizing opportunities to connect with the greater scientific community, think about new strategies to approach my research, contemplate the bigger picture, and establish collaborations. A good conference has the capacity to bring a scientist, no matter their career stage, out of a slump.” Tenaya Vallery, doctoral candidate at Yale University

“Papers usually make it seem like the experimental results discovered themselves, and going to conferences allows me to find out about the human motivation and broader context. I also like getting new perspectives on science, making new friends (as life as a graduate student can be a little insular), and the chance to discover a new city.” Julian West, doctoral candidate at Princeton University

“Conferences offer an important reminder that you are not on your own, which is particularly helpful if there aren’t a lot of people at your institution conducting related research. I also find them very helpful for learning about new areas and publications. As a speaker, I am always keen to get feedback from the audience. It is a way of testing out ideas and my thinking before I write a full journal paper.” Kate Sang, associate professor at Heriot-Watt University

To end, two pertinent quotes:

“Attend seminars, forums, conferences, summits and sessions where interesting topics about dream fulfillment and personal branding are prioritized themes and topics. Get exposed to better ways of doing things.” Israelmore Ayivor, “Shaping the Dream”

“Since the 1970s, I’ve been a big fan of attending conferences as a great way to learn, network, socialize and enjoy a new environment. It’s always refreshing to get out and see a whole new world.” Mark Skousen

With these thoughts I wish you happy reading of our new CRS Newsletter and a productive year.