@phpledge

I'm glad that I can make a public commitment and that I can see I'm not alone in believing that #COVIDSafety is inclusive, feasible, and necessary.

Every time I let a submission deadline go by without contributing because of COVID safety inclusion concerns, I wonder,
"Am I out of step with my colleagues?"
"Will this decision hurt my career? "Maybe I should surrender to the 'War on Empathy?'"
(Read @AnneSosin & Martha Lincoln: https://www.pestemag.com/featured-posts/war-on-empathy-3r6br)

@medlibs #medlibs #datalibs

@phpledge

Taking the #PHPledge might require you to *change* which conferences you support with your time, money, and energy - but it's going to be a change for the better. #Inclusion is always the right choice.

@medlibs #medlibs #datalibs

@phpledge

But *I* didn't go to #APHA22, and *I* didn't submit anything there as a first or solo author. Instead, I spent my time and energy on a submission to a different conference - online, free to registrants, and with a higher rate of LMIC participation btw. And guess what: it was great! I got everything you want from a conference: networking, kudos and feedback on my work, insights into new and in-progress work in the field, with a more diverse community.

@medlibs #medlibs #datalibs

@phpledge
For example, a project I helped with ended up at #APHA22, which was not a beacon of COVID safety and disability inclusion. The ECR first author saw APHA as a setting she needed to be in for career prospects - and TBH she is objectively right about that! (Which is why inclusion and COVID safety in these settings are so important)

@medlibs #medlibs #datalibs

@phpledge
FTR, I am often a middle author on conference presentations. I'm not going to tell the first and senior authors they can't submit to whatever conference they like.
@medlibs #medlibs #datalibs

@phpledge
Hi #medlibs @medlibs #datalibs
Please check out the Public Health Pledge, above or at https://phpledge.com/. I signed it and I hope lots of librarians do.
As a profession, we should make our conferences and training events accessible to people with disabilities. It's the right thing to do *and* it makes things safer for everyone.