6 months down and 6 to go. We’ve passed the halfway point in 2025, and before we take some time off for a bit of r&r, here’s a catch-up on some of our thoughts, experiences, and plans.
It would be impossible to avoid starting with the big picture. It’s been a disastrous first 6 months for science in the US. But the push-back against this incomprehensible and ignorant attack on the scientific, medical, and scholarly research communities is beginning to gather force. And we are proud to be associated with many of the organizations that are, in word and practice, pushing back. Our thanks and hats off to them and to the universities, law firms, human rights organizations, and other communities and individuals who are fighting similar threats. In one way or another they are fighting for us all.
In spite of – and, hopefully, thanks to – our continued focus on the officially forbidden areas of *ccessibility, *iversity, *quity, and *nclusion, we have had a busy, exciting, and productive period. We’ve continued to work with our clients, their members, staffs, and students, across the scientific and academic spectrum. We’re providing our technology – onsite and online – to research conferences in the physical, earth & space, life, social, and applied sciences. It’s been great to see that their important work continues.
But we’ve also seen that much research has been paused, defunded, or cancelled. Jobs have been lost. Careers derailed. Ripple effects are calling into question the continued support of sponsors and exhibitors, whose contributions – financial, intellectual, and practical – are crucial to the viability of research events and to the organizations behind them. Societies are struggling to adapt, respond, and plan for an unpredictable future.
We’re adding new functionality to our cloud-based, interactive, multimedia platform to help our clients and all of their stakeholders – authors, presenters, attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, partners – to stay connected and engaged in a thriving community. We’re doing all that we can to help keep the science communications flowing – even for those who can’t participate physically due to lost travel grants or other barriers, and for those who have been cut off completely from their jobs and research. They all still want and deserve access to the science, contact with their peers, and inclusion in their communities.
In the end, and despite the havoc, we’re still optimists. The lessons will be learned, the pendulum will swing back. But we all have to work together to make that happen. We would love to hear from you about your thoughts, plans and needs. In the meantime, we wish you all the best for the summer.
hashtag#accessibilityhashtag#ipostershashtag#sciencematters