Two BSHS online alternatives to conventional conferences

Area of Science:

• History of Science
• Digital Humanities
• Scholarly Communication

Background:

• The British Society for the History of Science (BSHS) sought innovative, travel-free conferencing solutions.
• The IPCC report of 2018 highlighted the need for net-zero-carbon activities by 2050.
• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of online scholarly events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document and evaluate the BSHS's transition to online event delivery in 2020.
• To explore the benefits of virtual conferencing, including wider participation and reduced environmental impact.
• To assess the success of a Twitter conference and an online annual festival.

Main Methods:

• The BSHS organized a Twitter conference prior to the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The society adapted its annual in-person conference into a fully online festival.
• The planning and execution of these events were observed and discussed.

Main Results:

• The Twitter conference showcased innovation in travel-free conferencing.
• Online delivery facilitated wider participation than traditional in-person events.
• The online festival successfully engaged the scholarly community.

Conclusions:

• Online events offer significant advantages for scholarly societies, including increased accessibility and reduced carbon footprint.
• The BSHS's 2020 online events served as a successful model for future virtual scholarly activities.
• The transition to online platforms aligns with global sustainability goals.