Dear IAFA members:
As you know, the ICFA will continue. A conference is not just about papers and readings, or even about receiving feedback on them, but about meeting people with similar interests. It is an environment in which new projects are hatched and new friends made. This will go on.
However, given the extreme circumstances and the fact that you all have invested time and money in the opportunity to present and to receive feedback on your work—and to receive professional credit for it—, the Board and Division Heads of the IAFA have been working to formulate a way to make this happen. The logistic challenges are many and daunting. We have come up with what we believe is the least imperfect solution (actually, solutions). More specifics will be forthcoming, but here is the general outline. These policies will be in place only for this year’s ICFA.
First, there will a new policy on chairing sessions, panels, roundtables, and readings. If the person scheduled to chair is not present, the first person scheduled to speak will take over (presenters can introduce themselves); if that person is absent, it befalls the next. Division Heads will not be scheduling new chairs as the situation is too fluid.
Registered scholars and authors have the option to:
1. Not participate and have registration credited forward to be applied within 2 years.
2. Participate by uploading their paper to a database that will be accessible to registered conference participants. Participants may then leave comments or questions for the author. Those choosing this option would be responsible for uploading their own paper and notifying the Division Head or 2nd VP that they’ve done so. This will then be posted on a list accessible from the IAFA web page that will be updated throughout the conference. These must be uploaded by midnight Saturday, the last day of the conference, and will be available for comment for one week after. Details forthcoming.
3. Participate by video recording their presentation and uploading it to YouTube, then providing us with the URL. This will then be posted on a list accessible from the IAFA web page that will be updated throughout the conference. Those choosing this option would be responsible for uploading their own paper and notifying the Division Head or 2nd VP that they’ve done so. These must be uploaded by midnight Saturday, the last day of the conference, and will be available for comment for one week after. Details forthcoming.
4. Participate via in absentia presentation. Participants who will not be present are responsible for finding their own reader. You can contact members of your panel (or any member of the IAFA) through the online Member Directory, available here:
https://iaftfita.wildapricot.org/Sys/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fDirectory. Just sign in with the information you normally use to access your membership and registration. The deadline for finding readers and informing the Division Head / 2nd VP will be 5:00 EST Friday the 13th of March to allow time to update the schedule. Authors wishing to have their papers read in absentia may Skype/videoconference/phone in and answer questions but may not present that way, as the rooms do not have reliable connectivitywifi. They would be responsible for finding someone present to do this, and for hardware, software, and an internet connection as needed. Details forthcoming.
We are limiting people to choosing only one option, as our Division Heads and 2nd VP will be dealing with considerable extra last minute work and we do not wish them to have to reduplicate their efforts.
If you have already cancelled but would like to participate remotely, please notify the Registrar.
Please note:
*No roundtables or panels can be done this way.
*Anyone participating through any of these procedures must pay registration.
View our previous communication about Cancellations and Credits/Refunds at this link: https://www.fantastic-arts.org/2020/icfa-41-covid-19-cancellations-and-credits-refunds/.