This week I am attending the Early Career Hallucinations Research Group annual conference. This is the first non-lockdown year I am attending the hybrid format online, and have some reflections after my first day.
Benefits
The biggest advantage is accessibility. Physically, this hybrid format is incredibly convenient. Attendees don’t have to travel if the date, location, or other factors don’t align with your schedule.
For me, my tiny human is starting school full time this week, so it just wasn’t practical—both logistically and emotionally—to spend four days in Portugal.
There’s also the cost aspect of accessibility. Not everyone has a research budget that covers travel expenses, so hybrid events allow more people, especially early-career researchers with tighter finances, to participate and contribute.
Another benefit is that you can still fully engage. I can take notes, learn about new research, and celebrate successes with my colleagues, all from a distance.
Drawbacks
On the downside, there’s the issue of excessive screen time. I’ll be attending for three days, and that means a lot of Zoom sessions.
Plus, I miss the coffee break interactions—those spontaneous chats with old friends and new colleagues that are so integral to conferences. Networking is a key element, and it’s hard to have the same meaningful conversations when you’re not there in person.
Emma Palmer-Cooper 