Call for Abstracts | Gordon Research Seminar on Visualization in Science & Education (GRS-VSE)
Amy Fox
Dear Colleagues,
We are delighted to invite applications for the inaugural Gordon Research Seminar on Visualization in Science and Education (GRS-VSE), to be hosted this July at Bates College. As co-chairs (Grace Pierre-Bennett) and (Amy Rae Fox), we look forward to assembling a diverse group of early career researchers, educators and practitioners, for a weekend of speaking, networking, and professional development sessions (July 12-13), prior to the main Gordon Research Conference (GRC-VSE) the following week (July 13-July 18, 2025).
What is the GRS-VSE?
The GRS is a pre-conference seminar specifically designed for those early in their visualization-related careers. The theme of this year’s seminar is: “Navigating the Multidisciplinary Milieu of Research and Practice”. Because the Visualization in Science and Education (VSE) community values participation across both research and practice, we are broadly defining “early career” as: (1) having finished a degree in your area of study, or (2) entering your current career path; within the last five years. Note that ‘early career’ does not denote ‘young’: we welcome participants of all ages near the beginning of their career in visualization. We encourage participation from anyone who creates, studies, or uses visualizations for impact: including journalists, designers, policymakers, and science communicators. Programming for the seminar will include both presentations by early career attendees, as well as professional development activities guided by more senior mentors.
Tentative Program of Events
Saturday, July 12, 2025
3:45 pm - 4:30 pm Speaker Session: Developing Visualizations With and For Experts: Perspectives from Research and Practice
(lunch, poster session (4:30pm-6pm), and free time, followed by dinner)
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Speaker Session: Developing Visualizations With and For Publics: Reciprocal Knowledge Production
Sunday, July 13, 2025
(breakfast)
9:00 pm - 11:00 am Professional Development Session: Navigating Multi-disciplinary Projects in Visualization
(poster session (11am-12:30pm), followed by lunch)
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Professional Development Session: Navigating Early Career Paths in Visualization :
The associated Gordon Research Conference begins Sunday evening
How Can I Apply?
Like the GRC, applicants apply to participate by submitting an abstract for a poster presentation. Unique to Gordon Research Seminars, invited oral presentations will be selected from the submitted poster abstracts. In the application form you can indicate if you would like to be considered for a speaking opportunity. As our seminar is smaller than the main GRC conference, in reviewing applications we will prioritize abstracts that align with the themes of our speaking sessions (see above), or this year's GRC-VSE theme: Visualizations for Impact. If you would like to be considered for an oral presentation, please submit your abstract by the priority deadline: April 6, 2025. If you are interested in contributing to our professional development sessions about career pathways and collaboration skills, please reach out to the GRS co-chairs (Grace & Amy), and make a note in your abstract submission. All applicants are encouraged to apply for and attend the associated GRC-VSE the following week. Note that the GRC-VSE conference requires a separate application, but the same poster abstract can be submitted for both events.
When Should I Apply?
Note that although the final application deadline is June 14, 2025, the GRS has a smaller capacity than the associated GRC conference, and is likely to be oversubscribed. We highly recommend submitting your application as early as possible, and before the priority deadline April 6, 2025.
Is Funding Available?
We may have funding to assist with conference registration and possibly travel, and will be able to provide more information about this in the near future. If conference expenses would be a significant burden and prevent your participation, please let us know!
If you are early in your visualization career, we are excited to invite you to participate in this seminar. If you do not meet the criteria for early career, we hope you will pass this invitation along to your junior colleagues. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, and we look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
Amy Rae Fox
Grace Bennett-Pierre