Association of Science Communicators

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SCIENCE TALK ’25
Logistics & FAQ
Information for Speakers

Information for Speakers

SPEAKER GUIDELINES

Please review our Code of Ethics

As the Association of Science Communicators, we would love to see sessions targeted toward professional or veteran science communicators. However, we still encourage session ideas aimed at all audiences and levels of science communication. In an effort to ensure that our audience is getting the information that is most appropriate for them, all speakers will be asked to identify a target audience for their presentation:

  • Professional/Veteran science communicators
  • Trainee science communicators
  • All conference attendees

Please use this opportunity to teach a new science communication skill or concept, or share lessons learned about a project or collaboration. We encourage discussions of science communication theory, evaluation of science communication activities, science communication research, or putting research into practice. We ask that you refrain from pitching your services, products, or business.

At SCIENCE TALK ’25 our theme is “Science with Society.” In your poster or art submissions, or panel, short talk or workshop sessions, consider how your project, topic, art, poster etc. embodies or demonstrates ecosystem building or spanning boundaries across varied science communication activities to solve problems and benefit society together.

In-Person Speakers:

  • We strongly encourage full completion of up-to-date COVID vaccination at least 2 weeks before the conference.
  • We strongly encourage in-person participation and believe we can hold a safe, fun, and meaningful event. But we recognize travel plans may change due to COVID or other developments.
    • If you need to change your plans to virtual, get in touch with us asap and we will do our best to accommodate; however we cannot guarantee any virtual spots will still be open.

Virtual Speakers:

  • All virtual panel, short talk and workshop speakers must participate LIVE and in REAL-TIME.
  • We require all virtual speakers to attend a “tech check” meeting sometime in the 2 weeks prior to the conference to confirm lighting, sound, and conference schedule.
    • We will work with you to find a tech check meeting time that works with your schedule.

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SESSION GUIDELINES

There are four types of speaking opportunities at SCIENCE TALK ’24: Short Talk, Workshop, Panel, and Poster/Art. Speakers accepted in one of the other session formats may also submit a poster and/or art.

Submissions for short talks, panels, and workshop opportunities are now closed.

Short Talk Format & Guidelines:

  • Session length: 20 minutes total, including Q&A
  • Maximum of 2 presenters
  • Presenters receive 1 full-price conference registration that can be split with a second presenter, if applicable. Travel is not included.
  • If 2 presenters, plan to present both in-person, or both virtual

Workshop Format & Guidelines:

  • Session length:
    • In person: 75 or 90 minutes, depending on conference schedule
    • Virtual: You may choose 60 or 90 minutes total; you indicated preference on submission form
  • Maximum of 4 speakers
  • Workshop speakers receive 2 full-price conference registrations that can be split between speakers as applicable. Travel is not included.
  • If more than 1 speaker, plan to offer your workshop all in-person, or all virtual
  • Workshop should be primarily interactive, some formal presentation okay
  • Audience size: Minimum 20, Maximum 100; you indicated preference on submission form

Panel Format & Guidelines:

  • Session length: 40-45 minutes speaking, 10-15 minutes moderated Q&A
  • Minimum 3 to Maximum 4 panelists, PLUS additional moderator if desired
  • Panelists/moderators each receive 1 full-price conference registration per person. Travel is not included. 
  • Submission must include at least two prospective panelists (yourself plus one other, or two others if you plan to moderate).
    • We can work with you to identify and recruit other panelists and/or moderators if needed.
  • Panelists should plan to present either all in-person or all virtual

POSTER & ART GUIDELINES

All poster and art presenters MUST REGISTER for the conference. Unfortunately we are unable to provide registration or travel compensation. Please review our ethics policy and other speaker guidelines posted above.

In-person poster & art presentations will take place during a dedicated session at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC, on Thursday, April 3, 2025 in the early evening. You will be provided with a poster bulletin board or a 6-ft table, depending on your need.

In-person presenters are encouraged to also submit their presentation materials to the virtual conference platform “gallery” so that virtual-only attendees may still engage with the content.

Virtual posters & art can be presented online by uploading materials to our virtual conference platform, Whova. Presenters can upload up to (1) image, (2) PDFs, and/or a link to (1) 5-min video (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) to personalize their “gallery” space. Virtual materials will stay available for viewing throughout the virtual and in-person portions of the conference. Presenters must upload their presentation materials to Whova by March 24, 2024.

Virtual presenters must have access to a computer with a camera, microphone, and internet access to engage with conference attendees.