Breaking out of the echo chamber: missed opportunities for genetics at conservation conferences

摘要: Genetic approaches have proven useful for addressing various conservation problems, but genetics remains poorly integrated into practice. Multidisciplinary conferences present excellent opportunities bridging the conservation-genetics gap and facilitating cross-disciplinary projects. We hypothesize that there is a tendency presentations featuring genetic to be siloed approach specific sessions, creating an “echo chamber”; geneticists are left talking amongst themselves, hindering collaboration across disciplines. To test this, we reviewed abstracts from past six Society Conservation Biology assessed how genetics/genomics were distributed throughout respective programs. found that: segregation of varied widely between (22–78 %); no other method or was segregated same degree; vast majority (99 %) had broader applications made them appropriate sessions. argue segregating at in this way unhelpful serves strengthen idea not relevant wider audience. recommend that; (1) conference organisers endeavour facilitate integration sessions based on questions addressed, rather than methods used address them; (2) make practical application their work clear abstract submission during presentations. These recommendations novel, our data illustrate need implemented better research will benefit outcomes.