How to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
Many conferences and in-person meetings have transitioned to virtual platforms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we share strategies and lessons learned from organizing an international virtual unconventional conference, or ‘unconference’. The event focused on how early career researchers...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wellcome
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Wellcome Open Research |
| Online Access: | https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/6-156/v2 |
| _version_ | 1819004080405610496 |
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| author | Constance Holman Brianne A. Kent Tracey L. Weissgerber |
| author_facet | Constance Holman Brianne A. Kent Tracey L. Weissgerber |
| author_sort | Constance Holman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many conferences and in-person meetings have transitioned to virtual platforms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we share strategies and lessons learned from organizing an international virtual unconventional conference, or ‘unconference’. The event focused on how early career researchers can advocate for systemic improvements in scientific publishing and research culture. The virtual unconference had three main components: (1) a virtual networking event, (2) asynchronous virtual brainstorming, and (3) a virtual open space, where participants could join or lead in-depth discussions. The unconference format was participant-driven and encouraged dialogue and collaboration between 54 attendees from 20 countries on six continents. Virtual brainstorming allowed participants to contribute to discussions at times that were convenient for them. Activity was consistently high throughout the 48 hours of virtual brainstorming and continued into the next day. The results of these discussions are collaboratively summarized in a paper entitled Empowering Early Career Researchers to Improve Science, co-authored by the unconference participants. We hope that this method report will help others to organize asynchronous virtual unconferences, while also providing new strategies for participant-driven activities that could be integrated into conventional virtual conferences. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T23:31:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2e830d29f4a843b9b78cb00b6aef4c75 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2398-502X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T23:31:12Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | Wellcome |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Wellcome Open Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-2e830d29f4a843b9b78cb00b6aef4c752022-12-21T19:23:17ZengWellcomeWellcome Open Research2398-502X2021-10-01610.12688/wellcomeopenres.16893.219090How to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]Constance Holman0Brianne A. Kent1Tracey L. Weissgerber2QUEST Center, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Berlin, 10117, GermanyDepartment of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, CanadaQUEST Center, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Berlin, 10117, GermanyMany conferences and in-person meetings have transitioned to virtual platforms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we share strategies and lessons learned from organizing an international virtual unconventional conference, or ‘unconference’. The event focused on how early career researchers can advocate for systemic improvements in scientific publishing and research culture. The virtual unconference had three main components: (1) a virtual networking event, (2) asynchronous virtual brainstorming, and (3) a virtual open space, where participants could join or lead in-depth discussions. The unconference format was participant-driven and encouraged dialogue and collaboration between 54 attendees from 20 countries on six continents. Virtual brainstorming allowed participants to contribute to discussions at times that were convenient for them. Activity was consistently high throughout the 48 hours of virtual brainstorming and continued into the next day. The results of these discussions are collaboratively summarized in a paper entitled Empowering Early Career Researchers to Improve Science, co-authored by the unconference participants. We hope that this method report will help others to organize asynchronous virtual unconferences, while also providing new strategies for participant-driven activities that could be integrated into conventional virtual conferences.https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/6-156/v2 |
| spellingShingle | Constance Holman Brianne A. Kent Tracey L. Weissgerber How to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] Wellcome Open Research |
| title | How to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full | How to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_fullStr | How to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full_unstemmed | How to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_short | How to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_sort | how to connect academics around the globe by organizing an asynchronous virtual unconference version 2 peer review 2 approved |
| url | https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/6-156/v2 |
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