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Session Type Descriptions
Plenaries are scientific lectures that all attendees are invited to attend and no other sessions are held at the same time. The conference consists of five plenary sessions throughout the week.
Symposia (SYMP) are the scientific centerpiece of the meeting. These sessions consist of 4 invited talks. Each talk scheduled for 20 minutes (15 minute talk + 5 minutes Q&A). Together these talks provide an integrated synthesis of a topic with broad appeal. Each session ends with a 10 minute discussion period.
Organized Oral Sessions (OOS) consist of 6 invited talks that focus on a common theme. Each talk is scheduled for 15 minutes (12 minute talk + 3 minutes Q&A). Compared to symposia, there is less emphasis on synthesis and breadth of appeal. These sessions do not include a discussion period.
Inspire Sessions (INS) are fast paced and engaging sessions that consist of 6-10 invited talks, each 5 minutes long and accompanied by slides that automatically advance (20 slides for 15 seconds each). These sessions are meant to stimulate dialogue on the subjects presented. Each session ends with a discussion period.
Contributed Oral Sessions (COS) consist of up to 6 individually submitted abstracts that have been sorted into thematic sessions based on topics ranked by each speaker during abstract submission. Each talk is scheduled for 15 minutes (12 minute talk + 3 minutes Q&A). These sessions do not include a discussion period.
Contributed Poster Sessions (PS) consist of individually submitted abstracts that have been sorted into thematic sessions based on topics ranked by each speaker during abstract submission. Poster sessions are 90 minutes long to provide an opportunity for extended discussion. Light refreshments will be available.
Workshops (WK) offer participants an opportunity to learn new skills through interactive instruction and hands-on training in a short format. Workshops are scheduled on weekdays as 90 minute sessions in the middle of the day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) or during the morning on Friday. No advance signup is required to attend workshops. Some workshops are virtual this year.
Short Courses (SC) offer participants an opportunity to learn new skills through interactive instruction and hands-on training in a long format. Short courses are scheduled on Sundays and Fridays as half-day or full-day (Sunday only) sessions. Short courses require advance registration and an additional fee. Some short courses are virtual this year.
Special Sessions (SS) are similar to workshops but are more flexible in their approach to a topic and tend to emphasize discussion. A special session may include, for example, a panel discussion, open discussion, a series of informal talks, or a film screening. Special sessions can permit more extended dialogue than other session types. No advance signup is required to attend special sessions.
Field Trips (FT) offer participants an opportunity to explore ecological attractions local to the meeting city and region. Trips may last part of a day, an entire day, or two days (with an overnight stay included). Field trips typically require advance registration and an additional fee.
Social Events include mixers and business meetings for ESA’s committees, sections, and chapters as well as social functions organized by other groups. Some mixers may be located at outside venues.
