Virtual ICPR Survey 1

The International Association for Pattern Recognition (IAPR) is considering a new virtual online conference, to be held in the odd-numbered years between the long-running (since 1974) International Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR). In-person ICPR conferences will continue to be held in even-numbered years.

The proposed (100% virtual) conference concept is a federation of many thematic workshops rather than a mega-conference. Papers would still be blind peer-reviewed and published by a major publisher.

This survey asks 5 quick questions about the idea and will take about 1 minute to complete.

Potential benefits of a Virtual ICPR:

Increased opportunities for young researchers to publish quality archival papers.
A cheaper conference that still has the benefits of conference interaction without the travel and accommodation costs, making it more accessible to researchers with reduced budgets. Lower costs would allow everyone in a research group to attend, not just a paper's lead author.
An eco-friendly conference without the travel CO2 costs.
Avoids the visa problems that are affecting many recent conferences.
Increased opportunities for smaller-group workshop interactions as an antidote to the feeling of being lost at mega-conferences.

1. How likely would you be to ATTEND an ONLINE, VIRTUAL ICPR?

2. Please select ALL STATEMENTS below that INCREASE your likelihood of attending a Virtual ICPR.

Virtual conferences are more affordable
Virtual conferences are more convenient
Virtual conferences are more eco-friendly
I try to attend conferences when I can, regardless of whether they are virtual or in person
I’ve had good experience with virtual conferences (connections have been clear, etc.)
None of these reasons influenced my answer to question 1
Other (please explain):

3. Please select ALL STATEMENTS below that DECREASE your likelihood of attending a Virtual ICPR.

Virtual conferences offer fewer opportunities for meaningful interaction
Virtual conferences lack travel experience, which is important to me
Virtual conferences are less immersive and/or memorable
I’ve had bad experience with online conferences (e.g. failing tech, difficultly connecting)
I don’t attend many conferences, regardless of whether they are virtual or in person
None of these reasons influenced my answer to question 1
Other (please explain):

4. Would attending a biennial Virtual ICPR make you MORE or LESS likely to attend the biennial in-person ICPR?

Probably MORE likely to attend the in-person ICPR
Probably would not affect my in-person ICPR attendance
Probably LESS likely to attend the in-person ICPR

Virtual ICPR Survey 1

Brief Introduction – Please read before completing the survey

1. How likely would you be to ATTEND an ONLINE, VIRTUAL ICPR?

2. Please select ALL STATEMENTS below that INCREASE your likelihood of attending a Virtual ICPR.

3. Please select ALL STATEMENTS below that DECREASE your likelihood of attending a Virtual ICPR.

4. Would attending a biennial Virtual ICPR make you MORE or LESS likely to attend the biennial in-person ICPR?

5. Would you encourage your students and/or colleagues to attend a Virtual ICPR?

6. Please share any other thoughts or suggestions about a Virtual ICPR.