It seems like it was ages ago that I got back from the second North Carolina Science Blogging conference, flush with blogger spirit and ideas on how to bring the NN blogging community closer together. I now look back at my post covering the conference and realize 1) it’s thin on content (too many LocoPops = too much sugar and excitement) and 2) I proposed a Step 1 for Nature Network Blogger bonding, but never followed with a Step 2. My bad.
Step 1 was to get ourselves a name, kind of like one Science Blogs bloggers use as a term of endearment – SciBlings. We did that. We voted and decided on… Nature Network Bloggers.
How about Step 2? The way I see it, we Step Two’s at the Science Blogging conference in London – we met up. And it was great. We got to put names to faces, and shoes to people, but not everyone was able to join us in London. We now have another excuse opportunity to meet face to face, instead of blog to blog – at this year’s North Carolina Blogging Conference, now under the all-inclusive name of Science Online 2009, to be held on Jan. 16-18, 2009 at the Sigma Xi Center in Research Triangle Park.
The conference is an absolute blast. I found last year’s event to be impeccably organized, with a diverse roster of attendees – not only science bloggers, but all manner of science communicators, ranging from members of the media to medical librarians and Duke/UNC staff. This made for multi-faceted discussions that used science blogs as a jumping off point for discussions of semantic web, copyright issues, and teaching science.
Last year, I was the only person from Nature Network in attendance. Being an only child, I was a fan of this arrangement. It felt familiar and I got loads of attention. I was one of a kind. I got to sit on a panel to discuss student science blogging and the issues inherent therein. I got to talk to lots of people about what they do. Then I got a little lonely. I wished I could huddle with my NN people and maybe pop out for an all NN drink or dinner before/after the event. To make a long post short, Step 2 is blogger bonding and the need for it doesn’t run out – it needs to go on, both line and in real life, in order to build up the NN community.
I hope that we will be able to continue the bonding at this year’s conference. I would encourage all those who were not able to make it to London, as well as all those who were, to register for Science Online 2009. Besides the fact that the conference is a gem, Durham has a lot of great restaurants (a local friend of mine recently opened a wine bar there!), travel to NC is quite affordable, the people are really nice, and, at least for me, NC in January is far more palatable than Boston in January. Do register, if you can make it. (Bob O’Hara already has!). I will be happy to organize a get-together if there are enough NN folks there. And by enough I mean more than just me.
Sadly I will be on holiday in Hong Kong just at this time. I’m sure it’ll be a great event and I look forward to reading more.
Do they have plans for remote participation?
Last year there were people participating remotely. Graham Steel can tell you more about it as he was able to take part from Scotland. Most sessions were filmed and (obviously) live-blogged. Graham? You there?
Would love to. Anyone care to make a case to my Dept/Faculty?
I would love to go, but I’m worried that the conference falls too soon after a 2 week trip back to the UK. (And NC is still a LONG way from Vancouver!). Maybe I can persuade my boss that I should attend as I am working on a website to communicate our research to the public… there will probably be no funds for travel and registration, but at the very least I might be able to attend without taking any vacation days.
Saving the pennies here to make it to Science Online ’09.
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Who, me? Blimey, Hello Anna. Indeed, Sir Cameron Neylon and I were amongst the many virtual attendees. I loved it so much I
bought the entire companyblogged it asap after the event.From the Remix, check:-
Well, I really enjoyed the Conference despite not attending in person. As you know, I blogged about my experience here
Whilst I got quite a buzz from “attending” my first Conference online, I personally would have preferred to have been there in person as I intend to be next year. That said, from my experience, from a technical perspective, what the organizers achieved was second to none and anyone interested in attending next year who is unable to be there in person, I can highly recommend virtual participation."
We will try to have every session live online this year if at all possible. But the registration is free, we have a great deal with a nearby hotel, and the food….well, Anna told you about it already, so come on over….
I went two years ago, and I will probably go again this year. I’m scared of registering, because the last three times I scheduled a trip thinking I would be done I wasn’t, so I kind of want to have a defense date set before I register for this. That should be in a few weeks. Bora, it won’t fill up entirely in two or three weeks, I hope?
2-3 weeks are safe, I’m sure. If not – holler and we’ll find you a spot.
We would be ecstatic to have any and all NNiBbers come down to our lil ol’ slice o’ heaven! And Eva, I’ll still have cash for you to get out of the parking lot if your Canadian debit card still doesn’t work here.
Dr Kushnir, if you loved LocoPops you will melt for Loco-Wine Pops, their joint venture with my favorite interactive wine shop, Wine Authorities. I’m working with the gents there to have a live version of The Friday Fermentable. (And thanks for the tip about your friend opening Six Plates wine bar – maybe blog fodder for next week’s column?)
We’re almost ready to post the hotel information for a Radisson that is 1.5 km from the Sigma Xi conference site – they be offering us a special rate in the range of 75-80 USD/night (maybe less if the US stock market keeps tanking). The hotel runs a shuttle to/from the airport (only about 10 km away) and will bring people to/from the hotel and Sigma Xi during the meeting. If it’s not on the wiki by the weekend, fire me a note via gmail to my abelpharmboy address.
I’d also love to see Funkmaster Steel in person since I couldn’t make it to London! Thanks for the nod, Anna.
Richard and Cath – There is a case to departments to be made! This conference will cover more ground than the one in London – it’s about science online, not just science blogging (as the name of the conference might imply). A worthwhile event for anyone interesting in science communication, methinks.
Eva – I do hope you can make it. I made the same deal with myself befor last year’s conference – I was determined that I would defend before Jan. Defended in May instead. Oops.
Abel – Thanks for the many mentions of the Dr title. Am still getting used to it. It’s like an itchy sweater at the moment – not quite second skin :) I can’t believe there are wine LocoPops. I may die on the spot from sheer joy. Hope they can ship to Boston. Six plates is owned/run by a couple who I met during the food blogging dinner at Piedmont last year. The menu looks great and the people who run it are beyond lovely. Reeeeaaally excited for the conference now.