As we enter another lockdown in the UK, one that promises to be the grimmest yet, it is worth remembering the glimmers of positivity in all the darkness

For me 2020 will also signify the year of the Twitter Conference and here is why that is something to be celebrated

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#Scientific conferences provide an important opportunity for researchers and #conservationists from all walks of life to share their latest #research, exchange ideas and insights, as well as providing the chance to network and build collaborations with peers.

@AcademicChatter

However, Despite an overall increase in national and international #conferences as well advances in internet-based communication #technologies, the format largely remains unchanged and thus poses significant barriers for many who wish to attend.

These include;

cost-prohibitive
geographically inaccessible
unfairly disadvantages early career researchers and
those from low-middle income countries.
disproportionate addition to #atmospheric #pollution and therefore rates of #climate breakdown.

This by-product, especially for conferences focused on #ecology and #conservation, is unacceptable and we as scientists and conservationists should be leading the way into a world that doesn’t revolve around the endless consumption of finite resources.

Here is where the @Twitter Conference really shines, providing a ready-made global platform with inherent #networking mechanisms that provides an easy and free format to present work, catch up on the work of others and network with people in your field.

All this with the added and most important benefit of being visible to ANYONE who is interested from ALL OVER THE WORLD

Because what is the use of science if you cannot disseminate it as widely as possible!

Intrigued yet? Then let me point you in the direction of some of the best #TwitterConferences of the past year and some to look forward to in the future

@AcademicChatter #ScicComm

The 6th World Seabird Twitter Conference #WSTC6 hosted by @Seabirders @TheSeabirdGroup @PacificSeabirds @IBIS_journal

These guys are veterans at this style of conference and lead the way with fantastic sessions each year!

Follow the # below to catch up on some amazing content

The 1st World Bat Twitter Conference #WBTC1 hosted by @bat_uwe with support from bat research and conservation organisations across the globe

Search the # below for over 90 presentations on everything #bat themed as well as the Bat World Cup #BatWC2020

@GiveBatsABreak @_BCT_

The BES Conservation Ecology & Tropical Ecology Joint Twitter Conference #TropiCon20 hosted by @BESConservation and @BES_Tropical

An exciting look at advances in technology and innovative methods used in conservation and tropical ecology

The Wallingford early career researchers Twitter Conference hosted @UK_CEH was a fantastic opportunity to catch up with the brilliant research happening in the UK Centre for #Ecology and #Hydrology

Morning session https://twitter.com/i/events/1245981939208724481
Afternoon session https://twitter.com/i/events/1246070914262786055