Why don't *You* organize a conference?
A scientist should behave as a good citizen in the scientific community. You cannot expect that other colleagues perform all the unpleasant jobs and that you can spent all your time on science. I am referring to low-reward activities like reviewing papers, reviewing grant proposals, sitting on review panels, being an editor of a scientific journal, sitting on program committees and - which is the subject of my present post - really organizing a conference.----------------------------
My Advice
Try to stay away from organizing a conference. I have always been quite successful in not organizing them.
Ha! I organized two. And am in the midst of organizing the third. And it is not bad at all!
Education & Careers
Comments
Speaking of which, lunch tomorrow?
Posted by: Abel Pharmboy | August 28, 2008 7:26 AM
Of course different scientists will favor different subsets of the low-reward activities. I'm much happier reviewing papers and grant proposals and working as a member of a review panel or program committee, than I would be organizing a conference. There are a number of university committees that can be very time-consuming, but low-reward (at least in the short run). Admissions committees for medical and dental schools are an example of this. Also, organizing, not to mention attending, a conference that is out-of-town for you may be difficult or impossible, if your teaching load is heavy and immovable (as is mine).
But I think that scientists who refuse to take on any of these low-reward community activities, because their research is "too important" or whatever, should be voted off the academ-island.
Posted by: Barn Owl | August 28, 2008 7:41 AM