Special call for COVID papers for Aberdeen Conference

24 July 2020

PCST Network announces a special call for proposals for its rescheduled conference, to be held in Aberdeen, Scotland, 25-27 May 2021.

This special call reflects the circumstances in which it became necessary to postpone the planned 2020 conference. It is focused on the Covid-19 pandemic and its implications for science communication.

The conference’s overall theme remains Time, Technology and Transformation, but we now invite proposals that address the COVID-19 crisis. These might relate to one or more of the following topics:

  • The challenges of communicating the complexities and uncertainties of the coronavirus and public perception of those dimensions;
  • The impacts of the crisis on scientists’ standing in society, given the multiple scientific perspectives and the politicisation of the crisis;
  • The rapid emergence of ‘star’, ‘hero’ and ‘celebrity’ scientists and their role in public health messaging.

New proposals on other topics will not be accepted or reviewed. They must focus on COVID-19 crisis and science communication.

The deadline for submissions is 11:59pm Monday, 12 October 2020 (GMT) and all submitted proposals will be reviewed from 13 October – 13 November 2020. The review is a two-step process with initial reviews by the Scientific Committee, then final selections by the Program Committee. Authors will be notified of the status of their proposal(s) by email on 16 November 2020.

Submissions already received and approved for the PCST 2020 conference remain valid, though proposers can update their content or amend the named presenters. Proposers have the option to withdraw their submission, if they cannot attend or have other plans.

Registrants can attend PCST2020+1 in person or virtually, if you are unable to travel due to pandemic conditions. More information on these options later.

Conference registrations made and confirmed for PCST2020 will be carried forward to the 2020+1 event.

Please also note that sometimes emails sent to you as a PCST2020+1 proponent, author or speaker may end up in your junk or spam folders. Please check.

Jenni Metcalfe (PhD)

Chair, PCST2020+1 Program Committee