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Student Conference Access Network

Conferences shouldn’t be a closed room.

SCAN helps high-school and undergraduate students attend academic conferences — to listen, ask questions, and learn what academia is really like. Human-run, low-friction, and built for first-timers.

Apply for accessRead the story

We reply like humans (because we are). No dashboards, no gatekeeping.

Navigate the system
Registration types, observer options, deadlines, and what’s actually worth attending as a newcomer.
Unlock cheaper pathways
Student rates, fee waivers, volunteer roles, virtual passes — and how to ask for them.
Attend with confidence
A short briefing so you know how to show up, listen, ask questions, and learn.

Why SCAN exists

The moment that made this obvious

Students interested in research often get offered “student research conferences” — small, local, and disconnected from the wider ecosystem. But the real academic world is happening at mainstream conferences: panels, keynotes, Q&A, hallway conversations.

We once attended a panel at an ACM conference: five top academics, great questions, and… we were basically the only two students in the room. There were only a handful of attendees total.

That felt backwards. If academia is about exchanging ideas, then students should be in the room too — listening, asking, learning, and seeing what’s possible.

Inspire next generationBetter flow of ideasDemystify academiaReal access, not just “tickets exist”

What we believe

  • • Access isn’t only money — it’s clarity.
  • • Conferences are classrooms.
  • • New voices belong in the room.
  • • Human help beats confusing websites.

How it works

Simple on purpose

01
You apply
Tell us your background and which conference you’re aiming for (ICORE link is fine).
02
We respond
We explain the path: categories, deadlines, and what options actually apply to you.
03
We contact organisers (optional)
If needed, we’ll help draft the email or reach out to request access options.
04
You attend
You get a short prep pack: how to participate, ask questions, and learn.

Bring students into the room.

Whether you’re curious, intimidated, or just unsure how conferences work — SCAN exists to make your first conference feel possible.

Apply nowEmail us

FAQ

Do I need an accepted paper to attend?
Usually no. Many conferences allow observers, student attendees, or virtual passes. We’ll help you find the right option.
Is this only for university students?
No — high-school students are welcome. We’ll focus on realistic options like virtual attendance and local events.
Is SCAN automated?
No. We’re intentionally human-run, especially in the early phase.