The 2020 APPAM Fall Research Conference will be virtual. But that doesn't mean that it should feel less like the conference you're used to attending, so we're making it as easy as possible to network, participate in scholarly debate and attend our activities. If you haven't registered, don't forget to do so very soon. The deadline is November 6th and there will not be "onsite" registration during the conference! Let's go through some of the virtual changes.
Online Program
The online program has been upgraded to match the importance of knowing where everything is, just like the physical program used to help you in getting around the conference venue. Because our participants will be from around the country, and even the world, the online program is going to adjust session times for your own time zone! The Online Program will be your literal gateway to the sessions, as each panel will have "join now" links for their ZOOM rooms.
Slack
JOIN THE SLACK
The conference hallways, usually hosting impromptu meetings and lively conversations, as well as networking opportunities will make the switch to virtual as well, via a Slack instance. Some of you may already be familiar with the online communications platform. We here at APPAM use it extensively for our internal communication. Based on the success of the Slack instance for the Resources, Data and Research Collaboration Hub, we'll be facilitating networking through Slack, throughout the conference, with channels dedicated to policy areas, and a way to communicate and plan with your colleagues.
You are welcome to use the Slack to find and chat with participants, talk about research, and share findings, job openings or calls for collaboration. The Slack will feature channels for 15 policy areas, as well as a general and a random channel. Want to continue chatting with a presenter after their session? Find them on Slack! Want to promote a position in your department? Post it in Slack! Want to chat about the direction of your policy area's research? Do it on the Slack! On top of that, there will be raffles and games, as well as official communications from APPAM through the general channel.
The Slack is a great way to keep connected to your peers during the virtual conference, and it will be open a few days before the conference kicks off. It will require a quick and easy registration, and then you can use it on your phone and computer by downloading the app, or also safely on your web browser.
Sessions
Our Conference sessions will be run on Zoom as a meeting rather than a webinar, and will be much shorter than normal, 55 minutes rather than 90 minutes. This means shorter presentations, but more time for discussion and audience interaction. Presenters will also have the option to upload full presentations for conversations that are not time-limited, beyond the conference. For more information check out our guidelines.
Virtual Activities
A good part of our previous in-person conferences meant in-person activities, like daily fitness sessions, boxed lunch sessions, or open bar plenaries. While those activities are difficult to translate into a virtual setting, a lot of our other activities are joining us online. Do you want to get some mentoring? The mentor matching program is now accepting mentee applications. Worried about child-care? Apply for our dependent care grants! Wanted to connect to federal agencies and find ways to hep improve policies through your research? Check out our Federal Agencies event! Thinking about going into a PhD program? Register for the virtual PhD Program Fair! And many more!