We're a network that opens academic conferences to students. The next generation of researchers deserves a seat in the room, not just a textbook summary of what happened there.
We've seen many top academics present incredible works, discuss in panels, and showcase significant research milestones at top conferences, but there are almost always room left in the audience, space that could fit curious, inexperienced students.
Students often don't have the opportunity to be exposed to the wider research ecosystem. We're missing a critical portion of voices at our top conferences - the next generation. SCAN to change that: giving students access to real conferences, inspiring them, and enabling a better passing on of ideas across the research community.
Simple on purpose
SCAN also works with the people and institutions shaping research
For researchers and academics
We're building an advisory board of researchers, academics, and experienced professionals who want to help students access the real research ecosystem earlier.
Advisors can help shape our direction, open doors to conferences and research communities, and make sure SCAN stays credible, useful, and ambitious.
For conferences, publications, and partners
If you run a conference, journal, publication, society, lab, or student-facing initiative, SCAN can help put your opportunities in front of students who are actively looking to learn, attend, and engage.
We're interested in student ticket access, featured opportunities, event partnerships, publication visibility, and other collaborations that bring students into meaningful academic spaces.
For interested student members
We're looking for committed student members who want to help build SCAN from inside the network, not just participate in it.
We want representatives at each university who can help connect local students to conference opportunities, share what their campus needs, and grow a stronger student research community.
Practical ways people and organisations can work with SCAN
Help shape strategy, strengthen our academic credibility, and advise on how students can engage with conferences and research communities well.
Offer discounted or free student tickets, observer passes, introductory sessions, or dedicated pathways for first-time attendees.
Share calls, opportunities, editor talks, or student-friendly explainers that help emerging researchers understand how the field works.
Join the committee as a campus representative and help build a stronger bridge between your university's students and the wider research world.
Whether you're curious, intimidated, or just unsure how conferences work, SCAN will open the door to conferences for you.