Move the SAA 2022 Online or to Hybrid Format

21st century academia should embrace information technology to reduce inequality and environmental impacts.

A great idea in these times that gives full access to all who want to participate!

I am not yet a member as I have not been able to afford to travel to previous conferences. I would be delighted if there was the opportunity to present on-line and I would very gladly become a member. On-line participation would greatly enrich the content and dialogue.

Even when we go back to In-person everything it would be good to have hybrid conferences so that those who can't attend in-person for whatever reason can still participate with an online paper or poster. Now we know it is possible and will become more necessary as the pandemic and climate crisis continue to be prevalent issues globally.

I have been to several other conferences that have adopted online or hybrid formats and they work very well. This isn't even the future, it is how things are done in the 2020s. Get with the program!

Coronavirus cases and deaths in Chicago have continued to increase since July. This persistent health concern requires adaptation to hybrid and/or remote methods. Hybrid conferences allow for truly international participation , networking , and communication. We must all make sacrifices to reduce our fossil fuel emissions. Conferenced are one area we can make a meaningful change. The 2021 virtual SAA meeting was successful from my perspective, as was the Society for Ethnobiology. I refer to an interesting consideration of this issue from the 2019 ASORs: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.asor.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-12-ASOR-Emissions-Poster-Stephens-Herrmann-2019.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj7jOCl6anyAhWPSzABHeTHAqYQFnoECAMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1ME3uRUmuArvF81eF0WUkb

please move the saa 2022 online to reduce the global carbon footprint. it would also give the international scholars access and make the academia less privileged

Coronavirus cases and deaths have continued to rise in Chicago since July. Conference travel has become an increasingly unnecessary source of fossil fuel emissions and presents a barrier to meaningful engagement with a fully international communith of scholars. Here is an interesting considerstion of this issue from the 2019 ASOR conference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.asor.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-12-ASOR-Emissions-Poster-Stephens-Herrmann-2019.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj7jOCl6anyAhWPSzABHeTHAqYQFnoECAMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1ME3uRUmuArvF81eF0WUkb

I fully support the move to have the 2022 SAA conference either completely or partially online for the exact reasons stated. I might add a fourth point in that not all American archaeologists have the finances or time to travel to areas outside of their places of work and residence. This would also benefit students who are strapped financially and have other obligations such as work or managing family responsibilities.

Hybrid/online conferences have made conferences so much more accessible this past year - its been one of my favorite silver linings in all that's occurred. I've learned and made connections that were never possible given my limited travel budget. Having a hybrid option, particularly with the delta variant and uncertainty for folks who cannot be vaccinated, would ensure greater access and equity.

Recent studies have shown that many individuals with immunocompromising conditions or on immunocompromising medications could have 0 to few antibodies even after two rounds of vaccination. A third shot is on the docket for approval in the US but it is neither currently approved nor available in many other countries, especially those in which access is limited. Please consider the needs of individuals of different abilities and at least offer a hybrid option so that lives are not put at risk in the name of professional development.

Take what we've learned from dealing with covid to climate change and equity: go hybrid!

Seems to be doubly irresponsible to not have a hybrids or strictly online option.

We need to at least offer a remote option since Covid is still a health concern for many people.

Many cannot afford to travel to national meetings. Technology allows us to reach nany more. Also, I doubt travel conditions will be safe by then. It is time to leap forward into new ways of doing things!

We should all be endeavoring to increase access, not limit it.

There's no excuse for not having a virtual option with a hybrid system.

I would recommend a hybrid system considering how diverse the global situation is nowadays and how impredictable worldwide.

Please move to a hybrid format. We archaeologists in Australia will unlikely be legally allowed to travel to the SAA in 2022, even if we can afford it. I have attended many online conferences in the past 18 months and organisers find them easier and cheaper to run. However a hybrid format would also allow those who want to travel in person, and who are allowed/physically abled/vaccinated/financially equipped to still attend in person.

Please offer hybrid options even for in-person meetings.