Now and again I am surprised when I run across a scientist who has not heard of the Gordon Conferences.
Imagine a site filled with other specialists in your general field, and being “holed up” with most of these people for nearly a week, during which time you are able to see presentations on research that hasn’t yet been published. The atmosphere is often informal, and if it’s a good Conference, it’s not very ‘clique-y’ either. And cheap—food, lodging, it’s all included for a very small price. Often, there are funds for students and young scientists as well to help defray or cover the costs of attending a Conference.
Conferences require an application for attendance, so make sure to apply sooner rather than later, many popular conferences can reach capacity very quickly.
Schedule of Gordon Conferences are usually in the same format: morning-to-lunch presentations, then a break in the afternoon for whatever (collaboration/discussion is encouraged) and then dinner. After dinner, a few more presentations and then a relaxed social hour (beer and chat) afterwards. You get to rub elbows with some great scientists, from grad students, to postdocs, research scientists and faculty. You’ll run into people you might consider legends that you wouldn’t normally expect a chance to meet in such informal surroundings. You come away eventually with a set of “Gordon Conference Stories”—often funny experiences or amazing conversations that are the start of something bigger.
More importantly, you’ll get some insight into some great new research (which you cannot discuss in public without permission as it is unpublished). Tradition says that the dinner on the last evening is a seafood (lobster) dinner, but don’t quote me on that.
Please, do yourself a favor if you haven’t looked yet, and visit The Gordon Conference Website where you’ll find the 2007 and 2008 list of conferences. The conference list changes every year as many conferences are on an every-other-year schedule.
There is also a special issue of Science magazine every year devoted to the Gordon Conferences.
There’s some down-sides too. The Conferences can keep costs down by hosting in schools/colleges. Sometimes the food is rather ordinary, and the sleeping arrangements—completely depending on the hosting site—might be a dorm bed. There might be shared bathrooms. There might not be air conditioning at every site. That’s not to say all sites are inconvenient. Some sites are fantastic, and there are usually local hotels for those who don’t like a certain site.
Also, many conferences are populated by people who have known one another for years. Don’t be afraid to talk to people, let them know who you are, introduce yourself around. If you plan on staying in the field that the Conference covers, these people will likely become some life-long colleagues.
I’ll guarantee you’ll find some of the best intellectual experiences you’ll ever have.