Special edition of VLIZ Marine Science Day on March 18

The 20th edition of the VLIZ Marine Science Day promises to be a special one. In 2020, VLIZ celebrates its 20th anniversary with the central theme being “VLIZ breaks boundaries”. For this 20th edition we expect even more participants and are moving with the #VMSD20 to another location: CC De Grote Post in Ostend. The program also receives a thorough makeover. For the first time, we supplement the plenary program with various parallel break-out sessions. More than ever #VMSD20 will be an unmissable feast for the marine professional and student, full of opportunities to interact with like-minded and the ideal opportunity to expand your network.

Date & venue: Wednesday 18 March in CC De Grote Post (Ostend)

For this edition, the program is revamped substantially, with plenty of opportunities to actively present your work:

• Classic: pre-doc oral presentations
• Post-it: live poster presentations (1’ pitch)
• Sea Science Fiction: brainstorm on ocean innovation
• Sea-nema: remarkable ocean (science) footage (if you have some, please let us know!)
• Cool-Ocean-Tool: bring a contemporary or historic tool, a beach find, etc. and share it with the audience
• SURPRISE: three break-out rooms are available for your interactive ideas. If you are interested in hosting one of these rooms with your group, send us your proposal following the requirements (see further).

On top of these sessions, more interactive opportunities are planned during the event:

• Ocean Parliament: participants present short 1’ statements, followed by discussion & debate
• Audio testimonials: ‘VLIZ 20 years’
• Food from the Sea: session: on seafood consumption worldwide
• Speed dating
• VLIZ cosy corner
• Photo booth
• etc.

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN ORAL PRESENTATION OR A POSTER?

Following this link you can find information on how to submit your abstract. The deadline to do so is set on 12 January 2020.
Abstracts that are not selected for an oral presentation, will automatically be accepted to participate in the ‘Post-it’ live poster session. On the VLIZ Marine Science Day 2020, a professional jury and the public will judge the oral and poster presentations. The winners will be awarded a prize at the closing session of the event.

HOW TO APPLY FOR ONE OF THE THREE SURPRISE SESSIONS?

Following this link you can find information on how to submit your application for hosting an interactive SURPRISE session in one of the three free break-out rooms. The deadline to do so is set on 12 January 2020. All applicants will be informed about their selection in week 4 (20-24 January).

HOW TO APPLY FOR PARTICIPATION IN OTHER INTERACTIVE SESSIONS?

Following this link you can find information on how to post your idea to participate in one of the interactive sessions. The deadline to do so is set on 16 February 2020.

A jury, composed of VLIZ staff and members of the VLIZ Scientific Committee, will read all the applications carefully and will make a selection for each interactive. All applicants will be noticed in week 8 (17-21 February), giving you 4 weeks to prepare.

Please note that the mentioned dates - 12 January and 16 February - are the final deadlines. There will be no extension of this deadline. Late applications will not be considered.

The full programme will be available in February 2020. The registration form for the event will be available by mid January 2020.
Should you have any questions on this call for abstracts or the VLIZ Marine Science Day 2020, please don’t hesitate to contact info@vliz.be