However, conferences have also come in for criticism in recent years, with detractors pointing out that the cost of attendance is prohibitively high for graduate students, early career scholars, contingent faculty, and professors from under-resourced schools. Others have highlighted the environmental consequences of all that travel, and minoritized researchers describe an atmosphere of microaggressions, disregard, and harassment.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, academic societies were forced to pivot, with many rapidly shifting to fully virtual or hybrid convenings. As the pandemic wanes, many may be tempted to return to in-person-only formats. But a new report from ITHAKA S+R and JSTOR warns against this path. Conference organizers, it argues, should increase their experimentation with virtual and hybrid events, for their own long-term health.
The report, which was done in partnership with representatives from 17 scholarly societies and was funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, comes at a critical moment for these academic organizations. A 2022 survey by Wiley found an 8% decline in their membership, which was at the lowest level in nine years. Less than a third of early career researchers—those who often cannot afford to attend conferences—belong to academic societies, in contrast to nearly three-quarters of those 31 or more years into their career. Decisions about conference formats, the report warns, reflect an academic society’s values, and which kinds of academics they prioritize.
Virtual formats offer potential solutions to some of the most common criticisms of conferences. The report cites research showing that virtual conferences attract significantly more diverse participants and attendees than in-person ones.
“It’s more accessible financially,” said Dr. Jessica Pokharel, manager of research and discovery at JSTOR Labs and an author of the report. “A lot of the virtual and hybrid conferences were low or no cost to members compared to the in-person conferences.”
The ability to attend from home is a factor as well.
