Before the coronavirus pandemic happened, scientists flew all over the world. But the conferences that are taking place online are now proving that things can be done differently. Malaria researcher Teun Bousema will use the upcoming period to find out how virtual conferences can become as good as or even better than in-person gatherings.

Organising conferences is big business, especially in America. The Chicago Radiology Congress alone attracts over 50,000 scientists from all over the world each year. All those people need to eat and sleep and space is needed for the discussions and lectures. Furthermore, a large group of people crosses the ocean every year to attend this mega event.

To get an idea of the environmental impact of conferences, malaria researcher Teun Bousema took a closer look at the travel dates of two American conferences: one for radiologists and one on the topic of tropical medicine. Radboud University professor briefly explained in the Volkskrant that the meeting of ‘only’ 5,000 tropical physicians and researchers accounts for 44 million kilometres of air travel. That equals 58 return flights to the moon. Not to mention that the radiologists’ conference is ten times bigger.

‘As a scientist, I feel very uncomfortable with the environmental impact of these large conferences,’ says Bousema. ‘If even we as scientists do not take the climate crisis seriously by changing our behaviour, it’s hard to expect the rest of society to do so.’

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of flights was suddenly reduced to a minimum, including those of scientists. A large number of conferences are still taking place, but virtually. Bousema: ‘Make no mistake: the coronavirus pandemic is a disaster. But it is also an important catalyst for making the academic world think about all these digital opportunities. Which elements of the conferences that are now being organised virtually do we want to retain even after the coronavirus pandemic?’

‘We have to be honest about our motives for attending a conference’

In collaboration with the University’s Green Office, Bousema will be researching virtual conferences in the coming weeks. With the help of a student assistant, he will be talking with focus groups of Dutch and international scientists, from philosophers to quantum physicists, to investigate what works and what does not.

‘We want to collect good practices. Three major conference organisers have already contacted me after seeing the Volkskrant article. They said: “We agree things have to change, but how?” It would be nice if our research could provide a guide for that.’ Bousema hopes to present his initial findings this autumn.

Do you think scientists will just get back on the plane as soon as the coronavirus pandemic is over?

‘Yes, I’m afraid so. The temptation to fall back into old habits is strong and a lot of money is made in the conference industry. The truth is that this type of travel is like a holiday for many scientists. It is of course wonderful to be able to travel the world for your work. We have to be honest about our motives for attending a conference and consider the obvious damage our travel behaviour causes.’

‘My point of view is clear: we must work towards a new way of congregating. Because this other crisis, the climate crisis, is just as real as the coronavirus pandemic. The story of the climate crisis may be less spectacular, but the impact is ultimately greater. I am feeling a great sense of urgency.’

Social interaction behind a screen feels very different than when you look each other in the eye. Are in-person conferences not essential?

‘The danger is that we will soon all be sitting behind our own computers by ourselves. That would be a pretty bland experience. We need to be more creative than that. I will soon be attending a virtual conference with my department and I want us to visit it together, taking the coronavirus measures into account of course. We will also have lunch and reflect on the event together. This creates small hubs of conference participants. It should not be a lonely experience.’

‘Another advantage of virtual conferences is that they are much more accessible. More of my African colleagues are now attending conferences, whereas before they would usually not have the funds available to fly everyone out. They now get together in Ethiopia to attend a virtual conference in Heidelberg. Or for example, people with care duties — they do not have to leave their home now and still have access to a conference.’

What considerations do you make when it comes to your own flight behaviour? On your personal website it says that you are passionate about travelling.

‘I find that very complicated. As a malaria researcher, most of my work is in Africa. Just before the coronavirus pandemic happened, I had to go to Ethiopia and Uganda. In the past, I would not have thought about the environmental impact and would have made two short trips. Now I am thinking more strategically: can I combine the trips? And can it be done a little less often? I often travel for longer now, but I do it all at the same time. I have more than halved my flight movements in recent years without feeling that my work suffers. At the same time, I enjoy the travelling, and I am aware of that. I use the weekends to do some sightseeing of the country I am visiting too, instead of just flying in and out.’

Scientists can still sign up to participate in a focus group on virtual conferences. To do so, please contact [email protected].