The Association for early-career Women Archaeologists and Paleontologists develops equality and parity in science and encourage scientific vocations among girls. The Association's Virtual Conference for Women Archaeologists and Paleontologists (VCWAP) will be back for its fourth edition on March 6-8, 2024! During these three days, we will be shining a spotlight on early-career women researchers and women paleoartists, by presenting their work.
The 4th VCWAP will take place on March 6-8th, 2024. It will be held online (via Zoom, Discord, and Gather Town) and free of charge. If you wish to help us finance the awards and workshop for the 4th VCWAP, you can join, for 2-10€, the Association for early-career Women Archaeologists and Paleontologists.
During the VCWAP, early-career women researchers and women paleoartists can present their work in three engaging formats:
- 10 min Talk (Zoom);
- Poster (Gather Town)
- Paleoartistic Reconstructions (Gather Town).
Gather Town provides a virtual space that facilitates dynamic and real-time discussions, enhancing the interaction between presenters and attendees.
In addition to our scientific sessions, we will continue our tradition of hosting a Round Table Discussion, focusing on gender-related issues and ways to address them in both Archaeology and Paleontology.
Contribution proposals (talk, poster, paleoart) should be submitted using the templates on the website, via our form, until December 1st.
The VCWAP welcomes contributions from early-career women (cis and trans) researchers in Archaeology and Paleontology, without permanent positions (from master students to postdoctoral stages). It covers various aspects of ancient life (plants, fungi, invertebrates, vertebrates including humans), their interactions, and the study of materials, environments, climates, and must involve methodologies used in archaeology and/or paleontology. Your contribution must fit into at least one of these five scientific sessions:
- Heritage and gender studies.
- Characterization and dynamics of populations and their environments.
- Actualistic and experimental frameworks.
- Tracking functional and behavioral responses to environmental constraints.
- Exploitation of natural resources and raw materials.
You can submit your abstract with the Registration and Submission Form by December 1st, 2023. We encourage you to follow our Tutorial for tips on how to write a good abstract. We understand that certain circumstances (e.g., internet connectivity issues or special conditions) may make it challenging for you to give a live presentation. In such cases, you have the option to send us a pre-recorded presentation in advance.
Contributions to the Virtual Paleoart Gallery
The Virtual Paleoart Gallery (VPG) welcomes contributions from all women paleoartists (trans or cis), regardless of their background (academic or non-academic) and their professional status (professional or non-professional). We invite your creative works aimed at bringing past human and non-human beings back to life. Your paleoartistic reconstruction may take various forms and must be accompanied by a short commentary in English (150-400 words). In this commentary, you will provide insights into the scientific assumptions, artistic choices, references, and/or specimens that form the basis of your reconstruction. You will find more details in our Tutorial to build the perfect contribution for the VPG.
You can submit your application to the VPG with the Registration and Submission Form by December 1st, 2023. We encourage you to follow our Tutorial for tips on how to write a good abstract.
Awards
Best Regular Talk Award: a free course, of the laureate’s choice, by our sponsor Transmitting Science (in case of the in-person course, registration fee is covered but travel accommodation and meal expenses are the responsibility of the participant).
- Best Poster Award: €100
- Best Paleoartistic Reconstruction: €100
- The three laureates will be honored on the website of the Association for early-career Women Archaeologists and Paleontologists.
We want to emphasize that everyone, regardless of gender, employment stage, gender identity, or expression, is warmly welcome to attend and participate in the discussions. We believe in the power of mentorship and networking to foster growth, diversity, and inclusivity within the academic community. We are not just about showcasing scientific excellence; we are here to build a supportive community for women in science. Join us to be part of this empowering experience.