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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·      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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Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra