After the EDNANO-2 Workshop held in Budapest in October 2002, the participants answered a long list of
questions that helped to assess the needs of the community. The list below is based on this poll.
We hope that this "extract of the common sense" will help the organizers to adjust the meeting schedule to
the expectation of the majority.
1. Frequency of the workshops
Most people prefer to hold EDNANO meetings on an 18-month basis. The annual basis seemed to be too frequent
for most of the people, while a biannual event would not maintain the coherence of the community. Of course, the
frequency guideline can be taken as an average only.
2. Duration
Two days for science followed by one day for social events can be the optimum for almost everyone. It is also advised
that the 3 days should include a Saturday night which is often favourable for those who travel by plane.
In almost each case, the workshop started on a Thursday morning. This is highly preferred be people working in the
industry because they must be present at their workplace on Mondays.
3. Sessions and presentations
The oral presentations can easily be organized in various sessions on the basis of the topical commonality.
However, parallel sessions are not allowed. Generally, all attendees should have the opportunity to listen
to all presentations. It is also expected that the participants follow the workshop events quite closely and
once registered, they are expected to show up on all official events.
The lenght of the presentations can be 25 or 25 minutes including discussion. This usually allows the lecturer to give a nice
overview of the work without a rush. There are no keynote lectures or so. This also emphasizes the equality
of the participants.
In order to maintain the attention, it is desired that breaks are given after a row of no more than 3-4 lectures.
The guideline for the organizers is that they should not accept more than 2 oral presentations from the
same research group, provided that these lectures are not too closely related to each other. The acceptance of
the presentation and their division into sessions is the task of the organizers. Presentations of young researchers
(including students and postdoctoral fellows) are to be encouraged, while repetitive talks from the same group leaders
in all events should not be supported.
4. Number of the participants
According to the general view, the number of the participants cannot be increased too much, otherwise the
atmosphere of the workshop will significantly change. The current form can be sustained up to about 60-65 people.
With this limitation, the segregation of the community can be avoided, and the participants will
spontaneously behave friendly and approachable.
5. Registration cost
The great advantage of the EDNANO workshops so far was the easy affordability for practically everyone.
The registration cost has always been calculated on the principle of the zero balance. The organizers are not
expected to make profit out of the workshop. The registration cost may include the rent of one
conference room, refreshment and snacks in the breaks, the registration package including the abstract booklet and
the conference banquet.
On the events of 2022, this cost was 150 Euro (without the excursion fee). Although this is not an upper limit, it clearly indicates
the acceptable cost level. EDNANO workshops have always been considered a meeting with very high value-for-money ratio,
which is to be retained in the future, too.
Organizers are expected to apply for domestic or international founds for some support and
recruit sponsors.
6. Venue
It is desired that the workshop is hosted by the institute of the organizers, if possible. This can also
reduce the cost.
It is the responsibility of the organizers to provide all technical conditions for both the oral and
poster sessions (computer, videoprojector, poster stands etc.).
7. Accomodation
For sake of affordability, inexpensive accomodation is preferred. This can be even a student dormitory or a
low-budget hotel that can provide breakfast. In most of the cases, there was no compulsory hotel reservation with the registration,
except for events held in a very remote location. If possible, the recommended accomodation facilities have to be choosen so that there is no
time-consuming public transportation from the accomodation to the conference venue.
8. Decision about the next event
The Board has to make the decision on the venue of the next event by a majority vote. The candidate presentation of the
next organizer(s) has be held during the preceding workshop by a member of the interested hosting group.
Regular attendance of an organizer-to-be at the workshops may be a decisive factor on the next venue.
|