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Africa|Health|Health Safety|Projects|Safety|Environmental
Africa|Health|Health Safety|Projects|Safety|Environmental
africa|health|health-safety|projects|safety|environmental

ORC 2020 begins planning for digitised event amidst COVID19

4th June 2020

By: Creamer Media Reporter

     

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This article has been supplied as a media statement and is not written by Creamer Media. It may be available only for a limited time on this website.

The world over, we are having to evolve our approach to networking and communication to continue our necessary and meaningful contributions to social and economic development. This year’s 11th annual Oppenheimer Research Conference (ORC), is no different. Whilst it will be hosted in Midrand, from the 6th- 8th October 2020, additional virtual innovations are being implemented to ensure this platform can be enjoyed digitally - from anywhere in the world.

Not only is this annual conference a highlight on many researchers’ academic calendar, it is also an essential platform for the exchange of a range of research projects that have been conducted across research sites in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and the United Kingdom. 

For this reason, academics, researchers in the fields are invited to register to attend and are welcome to submit their abstracts in order to participate in the programme.

A big highlight to this year’s conference is the announcement of the winner of the second $150,000 Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Grant (JWO Grant) which is available to environmental researchers and conservation leaders from Africa to support an African-led research programme over three years. Last year, this was awarded to Dr Hayley Clements for ongoing research to developing a Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa, which explores where and how biodiversity loss impacts human wellbeing to promote understanding of where investing in nature can deliver net benefits for society.

The final program for this years’ event will be released in September and is promising to be as exciting as last year’s line-up which featured a number of highly acclaimed keynote speakers including the Honourable Minister of Forestry and Fisheries and Environmental Affairs, Barbara Creecy and Professor David MacDonald, Oxford University’s first Professor of Wildlife Conservation. 

Says Dr Duncan MacFadyen, Head of Research and Conservation at Oppenheimer Generations, “Like all the other industries, we are compelled to explore alternative options as we fight for not only the survival of our industry, but also the work ploughed into preserving our wildlife and ecosystems whilst sustaining efforts for our communities. 

“Innovative and unique alternatives need to be developed to ensure the many endangered species, which we have fought so hard to conserve, do not become extinct during this global pandemic. Those species reliant on human conservation efforts and upkeep of their habitat are at greatest risk. 

“We believe this year’s conference will present an opportunity to table new learnings, new technologies and research available that is geared towards solving for the challenges we are facing.”

Traditionally, ORC would see over 350 delegates fly in from across the world to convene at the annual meeting point. These comprise of scientists, conservationists and students from different backgrounds with a diversity of interests convening to listen and to learn from each other. This conference pulls together a wide diversity of topics from science communication, aquatic, geology, birds, reptiles, ecology and holistic research management.

“We are still hopeful that we will be able to host both an in-person live event but are also ramping up and preparing to deliver this experience digitally.

“As a priority, if lockdown restrictions are lifted and we are able to host a live event, we will ensure that the proceeding aligns with strict health safety and social distancing regulations as defined by the government, the World Health Organisation and the Department of Health.  

“For those unable to travel, or attend the event in-person, the conference will be available digitally to ensure all our delegates benefit from and are able to showcase their research, no matter where in the world they are,” explains MacFayden.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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