Why do you attend a scientific conference?

Researchers, regardless of their specialisations, value opportunities to get together and discuss new studies, present their latest results, and expand their networks. But scientists also value the many intangible benefits of conferences; they attend meetings to glean fresh ideas, to reconnect with their communities, and to seek new opportunities.

vEGU21, which will be held fully online from 19–30 April, will offer many ways for you to engage, discover, inspire others — and to find inspiration, too!

Engage

The online platform and lower registration fees for vEGU21 will enable participants to present their research in a safe and supportive environment. An exciting benefit of the virtual meeting will be to allow Earth, planetary, and space scientists to engage with a broader and more diverse audience than is possible during a traditional in-person meeting. “In addition to hearing about the latest advances in the geosciences, I hope to virtually meet people who would never attend the in-person General Assembly,” says Claudio Zaccone, EGU’s Soil System Science Programme Group Chair.

The meeting programme will include a wealth of ways to engage, from ten Great Debate and Union Symposia keynotes and dozens of skill-building Short Courses to hundreds of in-depth scientific sessions. vEGU21 will also include numerous networking events, from Kaffeeklatsches to the celebratory end-of-meeting conveners’ party.

Discover

The EGU General Assembly is synonymous with exploration and discovery. From hearing novel scientific insights and tasting your first cream-topped Sachertorte or rum-soaked Kaiserschmarrn together with a Melange to happening upon an old friend while queueing for your EGU tote bag, spontaneous discovery is a fundamental part of the EGU experience. “At vEGU21, I hope to discover new collaborations, start new projects, and get new scientific ideas,” says Anouk Beniest, EGU’s Union-level ECS Representative.

vEGU21 will help you continue exploring in fun and innovative ways, from an online Exhibit Hall and a “virtual taste” of local Viennese flavours to a magic ‘Surprise Me!’ function that will whisk you off into a randomly selected scientific session.

Inspire

One of the most valuable things attendees of the annual General Assembly get is inspiration — both in their research, but also personally, which helps to motivate them throughout their exciting scientific careers. This is especially true of our Early Career Scientists, who often attend the annual meeting seeking new ideas. “Attending conferences always inspires new offshoots in my science and projects, so I am hoping for a few new ideas to add to my list!” says Jenny Turton, the Cryospheric Sciences ECS Representative. The Early Career Scientists are also huge sources of inspiration for other attendees. One of the things that Maria-Helena Ramos, the Hydrological Sciences Programme Group Chair, is most looking forward to at vEGU21 is “all the enthusiasm of ECS geoscientists, despite the many obstacles they certainly have faced during these atypical times.”

With dozens of keynote medal and awards lectures, the Imaggeo photo competition, #EGUart, and extensive Short Course offerings, vEGU21 will feature many inspirational activities for you to enjoy. The meeting will also offer mentoring and career-development opportunities for researchers of all career stages to help inspire other participants as well as themselves.

“We are incredibly lucky to have such a diverse, supportive, and creative community,” says EGU Communications Officer Hazel Gibson. “We can’t wait to see all the exciting and inspirational ways the community engages with each other during vEGU21. I think we’ll discover a whole new way to share our science, together!”

• vEGU21 website
• vEGU21 registration