State of the World's Plants and Fungi Symposium Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most frequently asked question's about this year's event.
General FAQs
I didn’t register in time. Can I still take part?
Registration is closed but you can watch the live stream on YouTube. The YouTube link will be available on the symposium webpage on the event days. You will not have access to the Q&A and chat functions, however.
Where can I find details about the symposium sessions and speakers?
The full programme, speaker abstracts, poster titles and other useful information are available on symposium website.
Are the presentations and panel discussions being recorded, and will they be available to watch afterwards?
Yes, recordings of the main sessions will be available to watch on demand after the event. Links to the recordings will be published on the symposium webpage. The workshops will not be recorded, however, so these won’t be available to watch.
How do I find out more about the poster presentations and flash talks?
The poster numbers, titles and presenters are listed on the posters page. The poster abstracts will be available to download from the same page shortly before the event. Each poster presentation will be accompanied by a one-minute flash talk taking place on Wednesday 11 October from 17:30 to 18:30 (UK time).
Is there a hashtag I can use to post about State of the World's Plants and Fungi on social media?
Yes, we encourage you to post on social media using the hashtag #SOTWPF. We will also be posting from @KewScience and recommend that you follow us for updates.
Where can I download a copy of the SOTWPF 2023 report?
The symposium accompanies the launch of the State of the World’s Plants and Fungi 2023 report, due for publication on 10 October. The report takes a deep dive into our current knowledge on plant and fungal diversity and distribution, and highlights critical knowledge gaps. It is the result of a huge international effort incorporating expertise from 200 scientists in over 100 institutions across 30 countries worldwide.
The report will be available to download from the Kew website from 10 October 2023.
Will I receive a certificate of attendance after the symposium?
You can request a certificate of attendance after the symposium finishes by emailing a request to sotwpf@kew.org.
Who can I send my feedback and comments to?
We welcome any feedback, suggestions and comments that you might have. If you have registered for the symposium, we will email you a feedback survey for you to complete after the event. You can also email comments and suggestions to the State of the Word’s Plants and Fungi team at sotwpf@kew.org.
Privacy. How will my personal information be protected?
Find out more about Kew's privacy policy here.
What should I do if I have a question that's not listed here?
Please review the FAQs for online participants and in-person participants below. You can also find lots of useful information about the event on the symposium webpages. For other enquiries about State of the Word’s Plants and Fungi, please email sotwpf@kew.org.
For general enquiries about Kew (not relating to this project) contact info@kew.org.
FAQs for online participants
How do I join the symposium online?
If you have registered for online attendance at the symposium, we will email you instructions for setting up a user account on the symposium platform, one week before the event. The online platform contains Q&A and chat functions that will allow you to ask questions and interact with other online delegates. We recommend that you set up your user account well before the event begins to ensure your access.
If you have not registered for the symposium, you will find a link to the live YouTube stream on the symposium webpage during the event. The YouTube stream will not contain the Q&A and chat functions, however.
Do I need special software to access the symposium online?
We advise using Google Chrome as your web browser to access the symposium platform. If you already have Google Chrome installed, please check for updates to make sure you have the latest version.
Do I need a webcam or microphone?
No. As an online delegate viewing the broadcast, you will not be shown on screen and we will not need access to your camera or microphone.
I registered for online participation but haven't received the email containing instructions for joining. What should I do?
Please check your junk/spam email folder. If you haven’t received your access details, you can watch the broadcast live on YouTube.
I'm having technical problems and can not access the symposium broadcast. Can you help?
You can also view this Quick Steps Troubleshooting Guide if you have issues accessing the symposium platform.
For technical support relating to the symposium platform, email support@digitaldelegate.online.
If you are unable to access the symposium platform and broadcast during the live event, you will find a link to the live YouTube stream on Kew’s website.
How do I submit questions to the speakers/chair?
You can submit questions via the Q&A function in the online symposium platform. You can also interact with other online delegates via the chat function.
Do you have guidance on etiquette and code of conduct for using the online Q&A?
Yes. We ask that you please note the code of conduct set out below before submitting your question:
- Include your name in the same post as your question. Please do not post anonymously.
- Re-read your question before you press send. Does it have the tone you intend? Could it have a different impact from how you intended?
- Keep your question on-topic so it can be directed to the panel/speaker.
- Keep your question as short and concise as possible.
Will the online sessions have subtitles/captioning?
No, unfortunately, we’re unable to offer subtitles/captioning for this event.
FAQS for in-person participants
I registered for in-person participation but haven't received a confirmation email. What should I do?
Please check your junk/spam email folder. If you have not received your booking confirmation and ticket, please email your booking reference (if you have a copy) and the name of the ticketholder to sotwpf@kew.org.
How do I get to the symposium venue?
In-person sessions will be held in the Jodrell Laboratory:
Jodrell Laboratory
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Kew Road
Richmond
Surrey TW9 3DS
To access the building, please enter the Gardens via the Jodrell Gate on Kew Road (approximately 300m from Victoria Gate). You can find directions and a map on the symposium webpage.
What time will the registration desk be open on the event dates?
The registration desk will open from 10:45 on Wednesday 11 October. Refreshments will be available on arrival. The registration desk will also remain open throughout the event.
Can you recommend accommodation near the venue?
Nearby accommodation is listed on the symposium webpage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation as early as possible to secure availability and the best prices. Please note, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew cannot accept any responsibility for the standard of accommodation services provided.
I’m presenting a poster and flash talk. What are the instructions for preparing my poster and flash presentation?
Poster guidelines:
Posters must be printed in portrait orientation, no larger than A0 (841mm wide x 1189mm high).
One-minute oral presentation guidelines:
Please prepare a one-minute oral presentation to give an overview of your poster. You may use up to one PowerPoint slide if you wish, or you may present without PowerPoint. If you are using PowerPoint, please prepare your slide in widescreen format (16:9 ratio) and email it to sotwpf@kew.org by Monday 2 October. We suggest that you include an image of your poster on your slide, so that delegates know what it looks like and can spot it easily.
The one-minute presentations will be given in order of poster number. Your poster number is listed on the posters page. Please note that presentations will be timed and you will be stopped after 60 seconds.
Can you tell me more about the symposium declaration and how I can contribute towards it?
Discussions at the symposium will be used to create a declaration containing a shared agreement and action plan for where scientific institutions aim to focus their collecting and research efforts to achieve the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
In-person delegates are invited to participate in four workshops to contribute their ideas and expertise towards the declaration. Please note, a smartphone, laptop or tablet will be necessary to participate fully in the workshops.
The questions we’d like you to help us answer during the workshops are summarised in the programme. We recommend that you review these questions ahead of the workshops so that you can come prepared.
Please note, the workshops are not available to online attendees.
Is internet access available at the symposium venue?
Free Wi-Fi access is available in all our buildings including the Jodrell Laboratory. To connect to our Wi-Fi, please select ‘Kew-Visitors’ from the available networks and accept the terms and conditions. Access to eduroam is also available on site.
What amenities are nearby?
Kew’s Victoria Plaza shop (situated by Victoria Gate) sells a variety of books, gifts and gardening supplies. You can also find a range of shops and restaurants near to Kew Bridge railway station, Kew Gardens station and Kew Green.
Can I attend the symposium dinner?
Attendance at the dinner is by prior booking only. Bookings are now closed.
Do I need to wear a face mask?
No but you're welcome to wear one if you wish. We recommend that vulnerable people wear a mask and, if possible, arrange a flu vaccination before attending.
