Virtual participation

Virtual mode and session capability:

  • All sessions in the conference will be live-streamed, allowing virtual participants to watch talks and to ask questions via the chat function.

  • Sessions 1 and 5 are located in more fully hybrid rooms, with greater capacity for interactivity.

  • Virtual talks can be accommodated in all five locations.

  • Our setup allows for live presentation of virtual talks, followed by questions. However, you may also pre-record your talk; if you do this, please send your file to the conference organizers at alt2022@austin.utexas.edu by Tuesday December 13 (and to the organizers of your workshop, if relevant).

  • The virtual platform will involve online streaming and presentations via zoom. Please make sure that you have the latest version of zoom installed and running smoothly if you plan to present virtually.

  • For people who are presenting in person in sessions 2-4 on Thursday or Saturday and have a virtual co-author, the simplest approach is for the virtual co-author to watch via the live screening and participate via the chat (and/or communicate with the in-person presenter directly via text). As a more complex alternative, the in-person presenter can run zoom on their own laptop alongside their presentation to accommodate their virtual co-author.


Virtual posters and socializing:

  • A virtual platform for poster viewing and socializing will be available throughout the three days of the conference in GatherTown, an interactive online space. The link will be sent to all registered participants by email prior to the conference.

  • On Friday, a virtual social hour and a virtual poster session are both scheduled (see Program) and will also take place in GatherTown.

  • Authors of virtual posters should plan to attend the virtual poster session in GatherTown so they can interact directly and in real time with people who come to visit the posters.

  • Virtual posters can also be viewed in GatherTown throughout the conference.

  • A simple guide on using GatherTown can be found here. Some basic tips for navigating:

    • Entering the space creates an avatar for you, who you can navigate via double clicking the destination point and/or using the arrow keys.

    • When you are in front of a poster, you can click X on your keyboard to view the full poster.

    • When you get close to any other avatar in the virtual space, you can talk with that person directly with audio and video; when you move further away from them, your direct communication with them stops.


Closed captioning and sign interpretation:

  • Closed captioning in English will be provided for all sessions and will be accessible via a link (to be distributed).

  • Sign language interpretation will also be provided via zoom and/or in person for some sessions as needed.


Links:

Links and other access information to the virtual components of the conference will be sent by email to all registered participants prior to the conference.