The International Drowning Researchers’ Alliance has partnered with The Lifesaving Foundation to host a blended virtual/live meeting on 2 June 2022, preceding the Lifesaving Foundation Conference on June 3rd and 4th. After two years of SARS-CoV-2 isolation, there is a great need and excitement for drowning researchers to meet in person. We have selected the future-oriented and largely unexplored area of “The impact of climate change on drowning” as the topic for the meeting.
The IDRA meeting aims to consider climate change’s current and future impact on drowning. This single-day meeting will compile current research on the issue and, most of all, identify and prioritise climate change areas affecting drowning that require further attention. The conference will feature a combination of invited virtual and live plenary speakers and 5-minute pitch presentations based on abstracts received.
Topic areas might include, for example:
- Severe weather events
- Rising sea levels
- Flooding
- Climate-driven migration
- Sustainable lifesaving
- Social, mental health, and medical considerations
Presentations should be based on your ideas, experiences, research, or case studies. The topics may be addressed from different aspects such as prevention, technological solutions, social or cultural perspectives. The meeting will culminate with the creation of a global research agenda on drowning in the context of climate change.
The call for presentations opens on 1 March 2022 and closes on 30 April 2022.
Pitch presentations are 5 minutes in length. Each presentation proposal will be reviewed by a team of researchers with expertise in the field. Submitters will be notified of the status of their proposal no later than 15 May 2022.
There are no conference fees. The event will take place at City Hall, Waterford, Ireland and his being held in association with other events organised by The Lifesaving Foundation. The organisers have block booked rooms in the Tower Hotel with cancellation possible up to 2 days before arrival without a financial penalty. PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE as there is only a limited number of rooms available. Contact the hotel directly saying you are part of the Lifesaving Foundation Booking. The hotel is just across from City Hall (link).
Even if you don’t want to present but still want to attend, please send us an email with your details.
PROGRAM – Check here the Full Conference Brochure
Who can submit a presentation proposal?
We invite submissions from individuals, academia, government agencies, and non-profit organisations. Presentations must be relevant to the impact of climate change on drowning.
Why should you present?
This event will be a community experience of shared expertise and networking in the field of climate change and drowning-related research. It is the first event dedicated to this important topic within the drowning prevention, rescue, and treatment community. Attendees and presenters are asked to participate in the entire event and help create the research agenda. We hope to capitalise on the unique formal and informal networking opportunities amongst stakeholders outside the conference programme, during breaks, in the evening, and during the sightseeing tour.
Additionally, presenters will benefit from the following:
- Acknowledgement as a presenter on the conference webpage/official programme.
- Representation of your organisation at an international event.
- Possibility to have their presentation published in an electronic proceedings book.
- Ability to be listed as a co-author of the research agenda that will be produced.
What is typical for the Lifesaving Foundation Conference?
The Lifesaving Foundation Conference will co-host the IDRA event. Typically, The Lifesaving Foundation conference is a small, informal event that provides a unique opportunity to interact with many high-profile drowning researchers. We hope to encourage extensive informal conversations and relationship-building between leading and emerging researchers. The Lifesaving Foundation Conference programme that will follow the IDRA meeting will be available soon on their website.
What are the submission guidelines?
Submit your proposal electronically by email to idra.world@gmail.com. The abstract should contain fewer than 250 words and be structured in context, methods, highlights and conclusions. Please indicate the topic area(s) of your presentation on your email- choose from: Severe weather events; Rising sea levels; Flooding; Climate-driven migration; Sustainable lifesaving; Social, mental health, and medical considerations; Other.
We look forward to seeing you in Ireland!
