25-30 JULY 2021  

SEFS12 will run as a Virtual Conference in July 2021 due to the uncertainty relating to COVID19 and the likely continuation of health risks and travel restrictions as well as restrictions relating to indoor gatherings. We deeply regret that we won’t be able to welcome you in person to Dublin as originally planned.  There is no doubt that SEFS12 will be a different experience but with the platforms available and creative programme design and promotion, we plan to ‘re-imagine’ SEFS12 and deliver an exciting, welcoming and interactive conference.

A successful Virtual SEFS12 will open up a whole new audience of potential delegates and expand our community, providing an exciting platform and opportunity to communicate our research activities even further afield, as well as allowing for more interesting discussions and side-meetings. Equally, this may herald a new approach to future SEFS events, re-imaging the online element, which will no doubt become more commonplace in future as we try to reduce the carbon footprint related to air travel and in-person events. 

We will deliver a typical programme with parallel sessions, special sessions and poster sessions, and also an industry exhibition.  We will extend our famous Irish welcome and provide opportunities for network meetings and online social and cultural events.  Ireland abounds in a wonderful diversity of freshwater habitats that are an integral part of the island’s rich and varied landscape. Field excursions have always been an important part of the SEFS programme and Virtual SEFS12 will host them in a unique way. We will give delegates an opportunity to join us on virtual fieldtrips to several interesting places, and unlike in-person trips there will be no restrictions on the numbers attending or the number of trips that you may join.  

Our conference provider is highly experienced in delivering virtual conferences and we will maximise the online facilities available to deliver a conference that meets the expectations of the delegates.

So, we look forward to welcoming you to join us at SEFS12 with an opening ceremony on July 25, 2021.

SEFS12 Organising Committee – Irish Freshwater Sciences Association