About CanFunNet Annual Meetings
The Canadian Fungal Research Network (CanFunNet) was established in 2019 to promote fungal research in Canada by facilitating dialogue among scientists working across diverse sub-disciplines and institutions. We have held virtual CanFunNet conferences in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 with approximately 300 participants each year and many presentations from researchers at all levels. In 2024, we held a special symposium with the Mycological Society of America in Markham, ON. After feedback from the community, we are excited to be back to the virtual format to increase the accessibility of this conference!
This year, we are excited to host a virtual meeting with the theme “Fungi from local to global”. Our scientific program will continue to showcase cutting-edge mycological research from around the world with a distinctly Canadian angle. As always, we hope to provide as many presentation opportunities as possible to showcase the work of trainees. This year’s conference will continue to feature thoughtful interactive features that will provide enriched opportunities to exchange information and ideas and form networks and collaborations in fungal research.
Why do we charge a registration fee?
CanFunNet is a non-profit organization, and as such, we strive to keep the cost of attending our conferences as low as reasonably possible. ~95% of the registration fee goes directly towards covering overhead costs associated with hosting the conference (website and platform development). The rest is earmarked for funding Accessibility and Presentation Awards for trainees and covering other incidental costs, including hosting social interaction platforms and activities. Despite charging a fee, we rely heavily on our sponsors to ensure the conference can pay for itself.
Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The organizers of the Joint Canadian Fungal Research Network (CanFunNet) seek to serve the professional interests of all participants. This mission requires the cultivation of a culture that welcomes and uplifts attendees. It is in the professional interests of all members to be recognized, feel respected and safe, and have opportunities to lead in our scientific community, irrespective of cultural background or identity.
It is incumbent upon the organizers and all participants in these meetings to demonstrate through leadership, statements, and actions that anyone can be a successful scientist. This can be achieved through consistent commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our meetings and by providing supportive opportunities for participants to discuss barriers that prevent diversification.
The challenges we face are shared by other scientific disciplines and societies at large, but this does not justify inaction against these challenges. Often-unrecognized prejudices and privileges affect our professional trajectories, which are not only based on our value as scientists, but also our race and ethnicity, country of origin, sex, gender identity, religion, age, education level, socioeconomic status, marital status, parental status, physical ability, neurological differences, political affiliation and/or sexual orientation. To strengthen the field of mycology and support all mycologists, at every stage of their career, we strive to break down barriers to participation and to recognize the value of a variety of opinions, backgrounds and experiences to the broader community. We are more similar than we are different and, through adoption of this statement, pledge to respect all individuals without precondition.
This document is derived from the Mycological Society of America’s Statement on Diversity.