conferences – Scott J. Pearson’s Book Review

The Art of Gathering: How We Meet & Why It Matters

By Scott J. Pearson | March 9, 2026March 9, 2026 by Scott J. Pearson

Humans are “social animals,” so Aristotle said long ago. We gather together to get things done, whether those gatherings are familial, a work conference, religious, or a party. What makes a good gathering work? Are there universal rules that govern gatherings’ format so that you can construct it to achieve a given goal? Yes, says Priya Parker, and this book seeks to show us how. I help organize biannual academic conferences as a part of…

Enjoy Your Science Meeting! A Practical Guide to Getting the Most our of Attending Scientific Conferences

By Scott J. Pearson | April 20, 2025April 20, 2025 by Scott J. Pearson

For scientists and researchers, conferences provide opportunities to learn, network, and see what others are doing outside of their own lab or institution. They also give opportunities to disseminate one’s work and receive feedback from a wider audience. Thus, they serve as crucial gateways to accelerate a career. Like everything else, however, there’s a learning curve, and conferences cost someone money. It’s in any scientist’s best interest to learn how to get good at the…