IMHO we need to approach this academic year assuming we will not have any academic travel this coming academic year. No conferences, no in person lectures, few if any meetings in person other than small groups. With that in mind a few points to consider

1. As a lab member or PI; what are you doing to maintain or even expand connectivity with your field (or new fields). Are you doing joint zoom lab meetings with other labs, locally and distantly? If so, are you including people outside your collaborative inner circle?

2. PIs, are you considering how to ensure your trainees 1) get exposed to a diversity of science, and are you finding ways for your trainees to have their science seen by others in the field (at existing virtual conferences or in group meetings where hiring faculty see the work)

3. Departments and institutions; are you inviting more junior faculty and trainees to present in external and internal seminars? Are you webcasting them? if so, is there a smaller interactive discussion with local faculty and trainees after the talk?

4. Academic societies/meetings; have you reset the ratio of junior/trainee vs. senior faculty presenting in virtual conferences? Are you giving these scarce opportunities to the people most likely to benefit and who have killer science to present?

5. Senior faculty; are you setting aside time to do zoom meetings with junior faculty and trainees looking for career development advice?

6. Trainees, are you sending that extra email to make a new connection with someone in the field you have always wanted to meet, but can't in person right now?

If we don't recalibrate our approach to academic interaction, virtual conferences, and mentorship, we will miss the greatest opportunity in our lifetime to promote, support and learn from the next generation of scientific leaders.

Senior faculty need to lead by example, and push for these ideas and other ideas. Without proactive support and meaningful actions from academic leaders, inertia will slow progress.

(if you want to do a lab meeting with me, or talk science/careers, email [email protected]...)