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2024 ADVANCE Equity in STEM
Community Convening

June 2-5, 2024 | Hilton Inner Harbor | Baltimore, MD
Overview

About the Community Convening

2023 Program Book

Since 2019, the NSF-funded ADVANCE Equity in STEM Community Convening has served as the convening for NSF ADVANCE grantees in a format that facilitates engagement with change agents within and beyond the NSF ADVANCE community. The ADVANCE EiSCC brings together a variety of change makers from higher education, professional societies, industry, government, and non-profits in an engaged exchange of knowledge, resources, and support to drive systemic change in STEM.

Attendees have an opportunity to share new research findings and exchange resources; brainstorm strategies; collaborate in novel ways; learn about avenues for funding; and demonstrate effective programs and interventions for greater collective impact.

A group of conference attendees discussing a topic at a table.

2022 Convening Survey:

  • Over 200 speakers, 300 attendees, and more than 70 sessions!
  • Attendees said:
  • participating in the 2022 EiSCC was valuable (96%)
  • the 2022 EiSCC expanded their professional networks (93%)
  • the EiSCC provided them with new strategies for increasing intersectional STEM equity work in their programs or institutions (90%)
Registration

Save-the-Date

Registration for the Equity in STEM Community Convening will open March 1, 2022.

Stay informed by entering your name and email below!

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Registration

Join Us in Durham, NC for the
2023 ADVANCE Equity in STEM Community Convening

Our
Sponsors

Resources

Access the Community Convening Resources the the ARC Network Resource Library.

Health and Safety Protocol

The health and safety of our staff, volunteers, vendors, and attendees at the in-person 2023 ADVANCE Equity in STEM Community Convening is our top priority. We are collaborating with federal, state, and local agencies to implement recommended practices aimed at managing the spread of the novel and complex coronavirus. As a community that centers social justice and equity, we value your health and safety and ask that you take personal responsibility for your own health and safety and commit to protecting the health and safety of others around you.

As part of our commitment to your wellbeing, we would like to share the precautions we expect all participants to take at the 2023 ADVANCE Equity in STEM Community Convening to protect against COVID-19.

[01] - COVID-19 Policies

All employees, contractors, presenters, and participants must agree to abide by the following COVID-19 policies as well as recommendations made from the City of Durham and the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club.

[02] - Vaccination

All Convening participants must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination*, which consists of the full course of the vaccine plus booster, to be admitted to the Convening by showing their vaccine card at registration.

[03] - COVID-19 Related Symptoms

All employees, contractors, presenters, and participants must not be experiencing or exhibiting any COVID-19 related symptoms as outlined by the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or any other state or local agency governing their travel.

[04] - Masks

All employees, contractors, presenters, and participants must wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth while participating in indoor Convening activities, except when eating or drinking. This includes the conference hotel and off-site reception and events.

[05] - Hand Washing

Frequent hand washing and social distancing are recommended.

[06] - Conduct

Employees, contractors, presenters, and participants who do not uphold these guidelines and safety measures may be removed from an event or asked to leave the property.
* Accepted vaccinations include those authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug administration (for example, Pfizer, BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson (J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines), and COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization (for example, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Covishield, Sinopharm and Sinovac). Additional vaccines are under development and the list of approved vaccines will change over time. Please check with the FDA and WHO via the links above for the latest list of approved vaccines.
As part of the registration process for the Equity in STEM Community Convening, registrants will agree to uphold these guidelines and safety measures.
An interior view of the Marriott Marquis hotel.
Washington Duke Inn
3001 Cameron Boulevard
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 490-0999
Travel & Housing Information

Washington Duke Inn

Check-in: 3:00pm | Check-out: 12:00pm

Guest Room WiFi: complimentary

Self-Parking: Complimentary

Raleigh-Durham National Airport (RDU)
Distance from hotel:
19.1 miles
Ground transportation:
Uber, Lyft

Shuttle from other EiSCC Hotels: Shuttle service will be provided by the ADVANCE EiSCC for those staying at The Lodge and the AC Hotel on June 5 (10:30AM – 9:30PM), June 6 (7:45AM – 9:45PM), and June 7 (7:45AM - 4:45PM).  Shuttles will run approximately every 30 minutes.


  • Mini bar
  • Digital safe
  • Windows that open
  • Extra-thick 100% cotton linens
  • Gilchrist & Soames of London soaps, lotions and shampoo
  • Lighted make-up mirror and hair dryer
  • Full-size iron and ironing board
  • Flat screen HD televisions with premium cable channels including HBO® and CNN
  • Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine with selected coffee and espresso options
  • Hot water kettle and an assortment of organic teas

The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club is ADA compliant in accordance with the (pre-1991) construction statutes of the ADA (Department of Justice ADA Title III Regulation 28 CFR Part 36, 1991). We welcome guests of all abilities. Our property descriptions aim to allow any visitor to make an informed decision on whether the hotel is an appropriate choice for their needs.  

Televisions have closed captioning. Accessible transportation is available. The hotel has a TTY for guest use. Fairview Dining Room, Bull Durham Bar, Vista Restaurant and all food and beverage outlets are accessible. Fitness Center and business center are accessible and both the pool and hot tub have chair lifts. For more information, including details about accessible rooms, please view the hotel’s Accessibility Statement.

About

Room Reservations

The Community Convening will be held at the Washington Duke Inn - Durham, NC.

Our blocks of rooms at the Washington Duke Inn, JB Duke Hotel, and The Lodge at Duke Medical Center are closed. We currently have a block of rooms at the AC Hotel Durham at a reduced rate of $159 for registered attendees. This block will close on May 23, 2023.

Make a Reservation

Group Rate

$159+ tax All reservations must be secured with a credit card valid through the month of departure (June 2023)

Cut-off Date

The group rate will be offered until Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 5:00pm.

Making Reservations

For your convenience, you can make reservations online using this secure link.

Through this website you can book, modify, or cancel your reservations and receive updated information about the event.

Cancellations

All confirmed guest room reservations canceled within 48 hours of scheduled arrival or “no-shows” on day of arrival will be billed the first night’s room rate plus applicable tax.

Questions

Contact Liz Scire at elizabeth@wepan.org  for questions regarding the hotel reservation process.
Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship of the Equity in STEM Community Convening provides your organization with cost-effective, value-added opportunities.

Answers to

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Reach out to us. We're here to help.

Contact UsGeneral FAQsHealth and Safety FAQsPresenter FAQsRegistration FAQsMobile Event App FAQsCode of Conduct

When and where will the ADVANCE Equity in STEM Community Convening be held?

The conference will be held in-person on Monday, June 5 - Wednesday June 7, 2023 at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, 3001 Cameron Boulevard, Durham, NC 27705.

Is the ADVANCE EiSCC for me?

As the ADVANCE EiSCC encompasses the annual ADVANCE PI meeting, all past, current, and prospective ADVANCE grantees are invited to attend. Regardless of your ADVANCE status, if you are interested in driving systemic change in STEM, the ADVANCE EiSCC is for you. Attendees come from higher education, professional societies, industry, government, and non-profit organizations.

What will the convening consist of?

The three-day community convening will consist of poster sessions, high 5 talks, concurrent sessions, symposia, pre-conference workshops, receptions, and social events. 

Will captioning or American Sign Language interpretation services be provided at the Convening?

Yes! Vidman Barber will be providing closed captioning and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation during the plenary and keynote sessions and ASL interpretation during the concurrent sessions. Thanks to the team at Vidman Barber for these invaluable services and to the NSF and AccessADVANCE for funding support!

How many people will be at the in-person convening?

Historically, between 250 and 400 people have attended the convening.

How do I request accommodations?

The convening registration process will ask about your accommodation needs and a member of the team will follow-up with you after registration to ensure that those needs are met. If you need an accommodation not listed on the registration form, please reach out at arc@equityinstem.org.

Health and Safety

Will the ADVANCE Equity in STEM Community Convening be held in person?

Yes, we are excited to welcome everyone in-person again at the convening!

What COVID-19 health and safety protocols are in place for the convening?

WEPAN and the ARC Network are committed to the health and safety of our community. We will execute best practices to ensure attendees stay healthy and to reduce exposure and risk. Our protocol can be found by clicking this link.

Presenter FAQs

Please review the Presenter Frequently Asked Questions page.

Registration

Can I register without being a WEPAN or ARC Network member?

Yes! You’re not required to be a WEPAN or ARC Network member to attend the convening. But, if you are a member of WEPAN or ARC Network, you will receive a registration discount.

Can I register without being an ADVANCE grantee?

Yes! You’re welcome and encouraged to join us!

What is included in my registration fee?

Your registration fee includes access to all of the convening activities, including general and concurrent sessions, the poster showcase, receptions, convening meals, and more! See the meeting agenda or program book for more information.

What offers or discounts are available?

We have an early-bird registration rate available through April 15, 2023. There are also discounts available for ARC Network and WEPAN members.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

We hope that everyone who registers for the convention will be able to attend; however, we understand that extenuating circumstances do occur.

  • Substitutions are not allowed.
  • Cancellation requests received on or before May 5, 2023, will receive a 100% refund.
    Cancellation requests received between May 6, 2023 – June 2, 2023, will receive a full credit that can be applied towards a future convening.
  • If you do not submit your cancellation by June 5, 2023, and do not attend, no refund or credit will be granted.

Do I have to register for the convening if I am presenting?

Yes, once a proposal is accepted, all presenters will need to register for the convening in order to present. 

Mobile Event App

Is there an event app for the convening?

We want to ensure our attendees experience the best convening possible. That’s why we’re using Webex (formerly known as Socio), an accessible event platform, to host our event. By using an event app, attendees can easily connect with others, access important information about the event, and receive announcements in real time.

How do I access the convening materials (I.e., list of attendees, agenda, maps)?

After registering for the convening, you will need to use the WEPAN Events app. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play or accessed via your browser. You will need to use the same email address used for registration and create a password you can remember. Then select the 2023 ADVANCE Equity in STEM Community Convening event, and you’re in!

When will convening materials be available in the event app?

We will be adding and updating information, such as presenter materials, agenda, etc. to the app as we get closer to the convening. We thank you for your patience.

Who do I contact if I’m having trouble with or have questions about the event app?

Please contact us at arc@equityinstem.org
Testimonials

Beneficial Aspects of the Convening

“Networking--one-on-one conversations and sharing details about our projects, challenges, and goals.”
“Opportunities to meet new people from other institutions as well as NSF.”
“The networking. Attendees were open and curious, and the ‘networking breaks’ provided ample time to mingle. The poster sessions and receptions were also great opportunities to network... and the concurrent sessions were small enough that they also allowed for networking!”
“Seeing what others are doing. Hearing challenges and successes at other institutions.”
Two women networking at the event.