A survey of travel behaviour among scientists in Germany and the potential for change

Elife. 2020 May 28:9:e56765. doi: 10.7554/eLife.56765.

Abstract

Awareness of the environmental impact of conferences is growing within the scientific community. Here we report the results of a survey in which scientists in Germany were asked about their attendance at conferences, their reasons for attending, and their willingness to explore new approaches that would reduce the impact of conferences on the environment. A majority of respondents were keen to reduce their own carbon footprint and were willing to explore alternatives to the traditional conference.

Keywords: climate change; conferences; future conference formats; human; research culture; sutainability; travel.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude
  • Carbon Footprint / statistics & numerical data*
  • Congresses as Topic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Conservation of Natural Resources*
  • Educational Personnel / psychology
  • Educational Personnel / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Research Personnel / psychology
  • Research Personnel / statistics & numerical data
  • Science / organization & administration*
  • Travel / statistics & numerical data*

Associated data

  • Dryad/10.5061/dryad.m0cfxpp0v