Ten simple rules to host an inclusive conference



Joo, Rocio, Sanchez-Tapia, Andrea, Mortara, Sara, Saibene, Yanina Bellini, Turner, Heather, Peter, Dorothea Hug, Morandeira, Natalia Soledad, Bannert, Matt, Almazrouq, Batool, Hare, Elizabeth
et al (show 10 more authors) (2022) Ten simple rules to host an inclusive conference. PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY, 18 (7). e1010164-.

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Abstract

Conferences are spaces to meet and network within and across academic and technical fields, learn about new advances, and share our work. They can help define career paths and create long-lasting collaborations and opportunities. However, these opportunities are not equal for all. This article introduces 10 simple rules to host an inclusive conference based on the authors' recent experience organizing the 2021 edition of the useR! statistical computing conference, which attracted a broad range of participants from academia, industry, government, and the nonprofit sector. Coming from different backgrounds, career stages, and even continents, we embraced the challenge of organizing a high-quality virtual conference in the context of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and making it a kind, inclusive, and accessible experience for as many people as possible. The rules result from our lessons learned before, during, and after the organization of the conference. They have been written mainly for potential organizers and selection committees of conferences and contain multiple practical tips to help a variety of events become more accessible and inclusive. We see this as a starting point for conversations and efforts towards building more inclusive conferences across the world. * Translated versions of the English abstract and the list of rules are available in 10 languages in S1 Text: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil, and Thai.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans, Writing, India, Italy, Pandemics, COVID-19
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 18 Oct 2022 15:27
Last Modified: 06 Sep 2023 23:11
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010164
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010164
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3165630