Scientists Abandon US Conferences, Flocking to Smaller Alternatives

Attendance at several of the biggest science conferences held in the United States either fell this year compared with last year or is expected to fall in 2026. The American Geophysical Union's annual meeting, which started on December 15, is expected to draw fewer visitors than it did in 2022. Organizers of the meeting attribute the decline in attendance to various reasons, including policies put in place by the administration of US President Donald Trump. According to Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a researcher at the University of California, San Diego, "The travel restrictions and visa requirements imposed by the Trump administration have made it increasingly difficult for international researchers to attend conferences in the United States. As a result, many of us are opting for alternative locations that are more accessible and welcoming." Rodriguez was one of the organizers of the alternative NeurIPS conference held in Mexico City earlier this month. The obstacles have galvanized some meeting organizers to hatch alternative plans to bring the international research community together. For instance, a group of AI researchers in Europe organized an independent spinoff conference, dubbed EurIPS, in Copenhagen. The conference aimed to provide a platform for researchers to share their work and collaborate with colleagues from around the world, free from the constraints of US travel restrictions. The decline in attendance at US conferences is not limited to the American Geophysical Union's meeting. The NeurIPS conference, which is one of the largest AI conferences in the world, also experienced a decline in attendance this year. However, the conference organizers took a proactive approach by hosting an alternative location in Mexico City. According to Dr. John Lee, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, "The alternative location allowed us to reach a broader audience and provide more opportunities for international collaboration." The shift towards alternative locations is not unique to the scientific community. Many international events and conferences are also being held in other parts of the world, such as Europe and Asia. According to Dr. Sophia Patel, a researcher at the University of Oxford, "The trend towards alternative locations is a reflection of the changing global landscape. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, researchers are seeking out locations that are more accessible and welcoming." The current status of the American Geophysical Union's meeting is that it is expected to draw fewer visitors than it did in 2022. However, the meeting organizers are optimistic about the future and are working to make the conference more inclusive and accessible to international researchers. According to Dr. Rodriguez, "We are committed to providing a platform for researchers to share their work and collaborate with colleagues from around the world. We are exploring new ways to make the conference more accessible and welcoming, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead." Next developments in the field include the continued growth of alternative locations and the increasing trend towards international collaboration. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, researchers are seeking out locations that are more accessible and welcoming. The shift towards alternative locations is a reflection of the changing global landscape, and it is likely to continue in the years to come.