The Age of the Twitter conference | Science Magazine

n our recent Letter to Science, we introduce a novel concept of using Twitter as an online platform for conferences offers a cost-effective alternative to face-to-face meetings can help scientists reduce their carbon footprint. We use the two very successful World Seabird Twitter Conference (#WSTC1 & #WSTC2, run by a group of volunteers( on behalf of the World Seabird Union) as examples to demonstrate the engagement from the scientific community, general public, and traditional media. 

This concept could be broadly applicable to science societies (E.g., AAAS or Society for Conservation Biology) seeking new innovative ways to maintaining engagement and rapid information flow in between traditional meetings, while reducing the financial and environmental burdens associated with international travel.

For more information on how to run a Twitter conference, please get in touch! 

*The World Seabird Union Twitter Conferences (#WSTC1 & #WSTC2) were organized by Grant Humpheries, Sjúrður Hammer, Stephanie Avery-Gomm, Danielle Fife, Katherine Keogan, Max Czapanskiy, Helen Wade, Stephanie Borrelle, James Grecian, Alex Robbins, and Michelle Goh.