We’re excited to be returning to in person ASBHM conferences after the 2021 and 2022 ASBHM conferences had to be shifted online due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For many of us, attending the ASBHM conference is a highlight of the academic and social calendar. The conference provides a unique opportunity for us to meet face-to-face, to start new collaborations and cement existing ones, to meet-up-and-coming new researchers and luminaries of the field. Whilst online meetings over the past two years have provided us exciting opportunities as a society, many of our delegates are keen to reconnect in person after such a long time apart.
We also acknowledge that the shift to online conferences has had positive impacts through increased accessibility of academic conferences to people with a range of different personal circumstances (including disability, carer responsibilities, and geographic isolation). Further, with growing recognition of the impacts of climate change on human health, online and hybrid conferences provide opportunities to decrease the carbon footprint associated with academic communication.
The ASBHM2023 Local Organising Committee and Scientific Programming Committee are committed to ensuring that ASBHM2023 is a safe and inclusive environment for all delegates. With that in mind, the following measures will be in place for the conference.
The option of in-person or virtual attendance
ASBHM2023 delegates have the option of choosing to attend the conference in-person in Geelong or online. We believe that for most conference delegates, in-person attendance will provide the most well-rounded conference experience. However, we also support online attendance (including online presentations) as an alternative mode of conference attendance.
Online delegates will have live access to all conference presentation sessions via teleconferencing.
In-person delegates will have access to the conference workshop (ticket required), all conference presentation sessions, in-person networking events such as the conference dinner (with an optional conference dinner ticket) and the welcome and farewell receptions. In-person delegates will receive afternoon tea on Day 1 (Wednesday), and morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea on Day 2 and Day 3 (Thursday and Friday).
Mandatory masks for in-person delegates
The organising committee would like to model best practice behaviour at the conference to minimise risk. As such, mask wearing will be mandatory during the ASBHM2023 conference*. Please bring your own mask; we will have a small number of masks available at the conference registration hub.
*We ask that if you are presenting in-person, that you do not wear your mark while presenting as this can create an accessibility issue for people who find lip-reading helpful. The lecterns in our two lecture theatres are safe distances from the audience.
Physical distancing and use of outdoor spaces
We encourage all conference delegates to continue to maintain physical distancing at the conference.
Waurn Ponds campus includes a range of outstanding outdoor spaces that are suitable for informal networking and meals. We encourage delegates to make use of these spaces where possible to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Meals will be provided in “lunch on the go” style meal boxes to allow people to move around the campus during meal breaks.
The conference dinner will be hosted in an outdoor dining area of The Edge Restaurant and Bar.
Stay home if unwell
Before attending a Deakin campus or facility:
- Check your health and wellbeing – use the Symptom Checker – and stay home if you’re unwell
- Get tested as soon as possible if you have symptoms, no matter how mild
While attending a Deakin campus or facility:
- Maintain good hygiene including regularly washing and sanitising hands
- Practice social distancing where possible
- Clean or wipe down equipment you use
By attending a Deakin University campus or facility, you are declaring you are well and without COVID-19 symptoms. If you are unwell, please stay home and get tested.