Navigating Academic Waters: How to Identify (Non-) Legitimate Conferences
In the wide landscape of academic and professional conferences, it can be a challenge to distinguish between those that offer real value and those that may be predatory. With an increasing number of conferences emerging, particularly online, ensuring that the events you opt to attend or present at are legitimate and beneficial to your career is more crucial than ever. Here's a detailed checklist that can help you figure out if a conference is legit or not.
1. Check the Organizing Body
Reputable Organizer: Research the organization or institution behind the conference. Reputable conferences are usually organized by well-known academic institutions, professional associations, or established conference organizers.
Contact Information: Legitimate conferences provide clear contact information, including an address, phone number, and email. Be wary if the contact details are vague or absent.
2. Review the Conference Website
Professional Presentation: A legitimate conference will have a professional-looking website with detailed information about the event. Look out for poor design, grammatical errors, and broken links, which can be red flags.
Domain Name: Check the conference’s domain name. A custom domain (rather than a generic free website) adds to credibility.
3. Examine the Call for Papers
Clear Submission Guidelines: Legitimate conferences provide detailed submission guidelines, including topics of interest, submission dates, and formatting requirements.
Peer Review Process: Ensure there is a clear, rigorous peer review process in place. Predatory conferences often lack this or have a very vague review process.
4. Investigate the Conference Committee
Recognizable Names: The organizing and scientific committees should include recognized experts in the field. You can verify their involvement by checking their professional webpages or contacting them directly.
Diversity: A legitimate conference will often have a diverse committee from different institutions and countries.
5. Look for Past Conferences
Look for information on past edition of the conference. Established conferences usually have a history and may provide programs, abstract books, or proceedings from previous years.
6. Analyze the Venue
Legitimate conferences are held at venues that can support the event, such as universities, conference centers, or hotels. Be cautious of conferences with unclear or shifting venues.
7. Evaluate the Registration Fees
Legitimate conferences clearly list their registration fees and what’s included. High fees, especially with unclear justification or inclusions, can be a warning sign. Check for a clear refunds policy.
8. Assess the Publication Opportunities
If the conference advertises publication opportunities, verify that the proceedings will be published in recognized, indexed journals or databases. Be cautious of conferences that promise guaranteed publication in high-impact journals with a quick turnaround time.
By using this checklist you can sift through the myriad options and ensure that the conferences you choose to invest your time and resources in are legitimate and beneficial to your academic or professional journey. Remember, doing your due diligence beforehand can save you from potential pitfalls and help maximize your conference experience.