Are Scientific Conferences Really Worth the Time and Money?
Scientific conferences, whether in-person or virtual, provide valuable interactions that drive collaboration and advance research. A study from Northwestern University confirms that attending conferences significantly increases the likelihood of forming productive scientific collaborations.
How Conferences Facilitate Collaboration
The study, conducted by Emma Zajdela, a PhD candidate at Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering, and Daniel Abrams, a professor of engineering sciences and applied mathematics, found that scientists who engage in discussions during conference sessions are far more likely to establish meaningful collaborations. The research examined both in-person and virtual conferences, revealing that the format of the event does not diminish its effectiveness.
Understanding Personality Types Course
Get training in Understanding Personality Types and earn CEUs.
One of over 40 IACET-accredited courses in the Academy.
Using a mathematical model, Zajdela and Abrams analyzed interaction patterns and collaboration formation among scientists. Their model was validated using data from Scialogs, a series of scientific conferences organized by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.
The Power of Small-Group Interactions
Findings from the study highlight the importance of small-group discussions:
- Scientists who participated in small groups of two to four people were eight times more likely to form future collaborations.
- Participants who had productive collaborations were 63% more likely to interact at conferences in general.
These results underscore the increasing need for interdisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration in modern scientific research.
Comparing In-Person and Virtual Conferences
Initially, Zajdela and Abrams tracked patterns among hundreds of scientists across 12 multiday in-person conferences. However, the shift to virtual events provided an opportunity to directly compare the effectiveness of different formats.
According to Zajdela, "Science isn’t done by individuals anymore. It’s more interdisciplinary and multi-institutional. We need these conferences because scientists can meet other researchers who they might never have met otherwise."
Contrary to expectations, virtual conferences were just as effective—if not more effective—at fostering interactions and collaborations. The study found that:
- Scientists who formed collaborations at in-person conferences interacted 1.6 times more than those who did not form collaborations.
- Participants who formed collaborations at virtual conferences interacted two times more than those who did not.
Why Virtual Conferences May Enhance Collaboration
The research suggests that virtual conference sessions become the primary opportunity for scientists to meet and form teams, unlike in-person events where informal interactions also play a role. This increased reliance on structured sessions may contribute to stronger networking and collaboration at virtual events.
Zajdela explains, "We interpret these results as coming from the fact that scientists did not have the same opportunities for informal interaction (during breaks or meals) in the virtual conferences as they did in the in-person conferences. Therefore, the sessions they were assigned to were the only place that they could meet people to form teams with; hence the greater importance of interaction in these sessions for team formation."
The Future of Scientific Conferences
The study, titled "The Physics of Team Formation: Modeling the Catalysis of Collaboration at In-Person and Virtual Conferences" provides strong evidence that both in-person and virtual conferences play a crucial role in advancing scientific collaboration. A pre-print of the study is available online, and ongoing research will continue to explore how conference structures can further enhance collaboration opportunities in the scientific community.
Ultimately, whether attending in person or virtually, conferences remain a valuable investment in the future of science.
