We saw the benefit of moving online in academic conferences too. Often faculty from even developed countries do not have budgets to travel for conferences. For example, one professor from Italy told me that he had a travel budget of €400 per year. That would not even pay his conference registration for most conferences.
The visa issue mentioned in the article is also quite real. Although the US visa is more difficult to get, it is usually for five to ten years for the citizens of most countries. In contrast, most European countries will issue Schengen visas for the duration of the conference! Online conferences avoid all these issues.
The visa issue mentioned in the article is also quite real. Although the US visa is more difficult to get, it is usually for five to ten years for the citizens of most countries. In contrast, most European countries will issue Schengen visas for the duration of the conference! Online conferences avoid all these issues.