Convene Talk: When Weird Works (and When It Doesn’t): Lessons From the World’s Wildest Science Conference

PCMA Convene Podcast

What happens when researchers trade lecture halls for campgrounds, five-minute rhymed papers, and walk-up songs? In this Convene Talk, the editorial team unpacks a recent Nature article on the “Woodstock of Biology” — a freewheeling festival near Prague that pushes the boundaries of what a scientific conference can be. From playful formats and outdoor experiments to questions about inclusivity, outcomes, and design principles like MAYA (“most advanced yet acceptable”), we ask: when does weird energize an event — and when does it alienate?

Links:

· Scientific bedlam at the world’s weirdest and wildest research conference: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02169-7

· Where Are All the DEI Speakers?: https://www.pcma.org/how-is-the-dei-backlash-affectings-market-for-speakers/

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Meet the Convene Editors: https://www.pcma.org/contact/

· Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief

· Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor

· Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor

· Kate Mulcrone, Managing Digital Editor

· Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor

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Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

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Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra