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Session Type Descriptions

Virtual Sessions will take place in Zoom. The link to join each session will become active on the website 15 minutes before the session begins and remain available until the time the session ends. You must be signed in as an attendee to access virtual session links. Most of this year's virtual sessions are Short Courses (SC), which require advance sign up and an additional fee. There is one virtual social event, which is a student mixer open to all attendees.

Hybrid Sessions will take place in session rooms in Portland and through a live stream on Zoom. The 3 rooms hybrid sessions will take place in will have hard wired internet and two dedicated technicians to help make sure things run smoothly. To join a hybrid session as an attendee, you can either go to the session room in Portland (just like a traditional paper session) or join through the Zoom link online. The link to join each session will become active on the website 15 minutes before the session begins and remain available until the time the session ends. You must be signed in as an attendee to access virtual session links. All of this year's hybrid sessions are invited papers sessions: Symposia (SYMP), Organized Oral Sessions (OOS), and Inspire Sessions (INS). These hybrid sessions will have a mix of in person and remote speakers. Attendees who join the session through Zoom will be able to ask questions.

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 as 90 minute sessions throughout the week, Monday through Thursday. No advance signup is required to attend workshops. 

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. Special sessions are scheduled throughout the week, Monday through Thursday. 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 or an entire day. 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 social events may be located at outside venues.