FAQ

To make this conference broadly accessible we are fully covering the costs of housing and meals for all participants.  These will be included in the conference fee of $250 USD.  We will also provide targeted travel grants to further offset costs for select participants. Self-nomination for travel grant eligibility is included as part of the general application. 

At an unconference, most of the meeting time is unscripted and spontaneous. Unconference sessions are shaped by the participants, who decide the topics to be discussed during the meeting.  If you have a topic in mind or expertise, please share it in your application.  Our goal is to foster open and innovative conversations, brainstorming sessions, debates, and collaborative writing opportunities, all centered on rethinking and challenging current approaches in science.

As of now we are prioritizing in-person participation to cultivate a collaborative, creative, and safe environment.  We recognize that the choice of location and structure for this conference imposes a participation bias.  We are offering substantial financial support to mitigate that through targeted travel grants and by covering lodging/meals.  Should that not lift barriers to your participation for any reason please fill out the space provided in the application form.  We will consider remote participation options based on these responses.

Temperatures can reach highs of 80F (27C) during the day and drop to 58F (14C) in the evenings, with some chance for rain.  A cool breeze rolling off the Atlantic is fairly common throughout the day, and especially at sunrise and sunset.  Our conference is scheduled during the height of whale watching seaon in Acadia National Park, and whales can sometime be seen just a short walk (10 min, 0.5 miles/0.8 km) from the conference venue!  We are also planning a sunset sail boat ride to explore the coast and see more of the natural wildlife and flora native to Acadia National Park. 

Further travel information will be coordinated at the end of Spring.  Participants flying to the conference will travel through a major US Airport that connects to Bangor, ME.  It is a 90 minute drive from the Bangor International Airport to the conference venue.  We will organize shared taxis or book a shuttle to transport people between the two. Local LC members will also have cars and can make shuttle trips if needed.