Gordon Research Conferences expand in Hong Kong
Gordon Research Conferences are conferences set up with the intent to foster active scientific communities, with the purpose of each community being to develop an area of a scientific field from its early stages to maturity.
Many major scientific discoveries can be traced back to conferences – including the Nucleic Acids Research conference which was established over 50 years ago, and attended by Watson and Crick (see photograph above). In order to continuously support cutting-edge research, an average of 10% of conferences each year are new, which expands the network, as scientists from different areas take part. In 2014, 46% of the 25,000 attendees were new.
Since its first Hong Kong meeting, in 2000, the Gordon Research Conferences have enriched Hong Kong’s scientific community of established scientists and endeavours to increase its impact further – notably, by encouraging future scientific leaders to join in.
In 2012, the Gordon Research Conferences began expansion efforts in Hong Kong, organising meetings at both the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Each year, the number of meetings and attendees has grown. In 2013, seven conferences attracted an average number of 122 attendees – a great feat, given that the maximum number of attendees at any meeting is limited to 200. This year, a total of 15 meetings – seven of which will be brand new – and three seminars will take place in Hong Kong.
In 2014, a total of seven conferences and two seminars attracted an average attendance of 148. The number of international scientists attending Hong Kong-based Gordon Research Conferences has risen year-on-year, with particular interest from scientists based in North America.
Director, Nancy Ryan Gray, profited first-hand from the opportunities that the Gordon Research Conferences offer young scientists; as a graduate student attending her first conference, she met leaders in her field, “finally found the courage to ask questions” and was invited to finish her PhD research in their labs – which contained the best instrumentation in the world. “The type of interactions created at Gordon Research Conferences can impact the rest of your career,” she explained.
This year, a total of 15 meetings – seven of which will be brand new – and three seminars will take place in Hong Kong. Reflecting feedback from senior scientists, the three seminars have been designed specifically with the aim to bring future scientific leaders, who are engaged in cutting-edge research, into conversation with present leaders, who will provide mentorship and will give opening presentations at these seminars.
2015 Meetings:
• Genome Architecture in Cell Fate & Disease
• Infections of the Nervous System
• Marine Molecular Ecology (GRS)
• Modulation of Neural Circuits & Behaviour
• Posttranslational Modification Networks
• Spin Dynamics in Nanostructures