July is always a great time for public health and geospatial conferences. The infamous Esri User Conference and NACCHO Annual Meeting (now NACCHO 360) always take place during this month. For July 2020, there’s a slate of other well known conferences going on like the 23rd International AIDS Conference, State of the Map (Global) and QGIS North America 2020 and many others. What do they all of these have in common? They are all completely virtual this year!
In the coronavirus era, we have seen many events either be cancelled entirely or converted to a virtual format. For those offered virtually, the advantages are that you can attend from the safety of your home and, in many cases, you can do so for free. Unfortunately, the disadvantage is that the “in person” experience of networking / going out with colleagues and friends, during and after these events are now gone. Despite that, the virtual experience is one that we will have to get used to for the near future.
Further below, we’re shining the spotlight on this Summer’s most anticipated conferences for public health, GIS, and EdTech. One of which is focused on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous People of Color).
Our 2020 calendar of health observances features monthly, weekly, and daily health observances and other events such as conferences, webinars, and workshops. These events are sourced from US National Health Observances, WHO and United Nations observances, as well as directly from organizations themselves.
We have selected monthly events that bring attention to the process of cord blood banking and storage of newborn stem cells for future medical purposes as well as breaking out your hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect your eyes and skin from harmful UV rays this Summer!
Both of our selected weekly events focus on the environment and environmental health. The first part of London Climate Action Week begins with a second, much larger part to follow in November. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Tracking Awareness Week will have a theme of “Powered by Tracking” with a Tweetchat as well!
Check out our selected list of conferences and monthly, weekly, and daily events below.
For our complete list, check out our July 2020 calendar.
CONFERENCES
State of the Map 2020 (July 4 - 5)
State of the Map 2020 is taking place online on 4 and 5 July 2020. We have created an exciting program with you—the OpenStreetMap community. For the duration of the conference, we have chat rooms set aside for virtual sponsor booths as well as breakout sessions that can be booked by groups of mutual interest, or used without prior planning.
NACCHO 360: Raising the Reach of Public Health (JULY 7 - 9)
For the first time ever, NACCHO presents NACCHO 360: Raising the Reach of Public Health (July 7-9, 2020; Denver, CO). This innovative convening aims to break down silos by connecting our traditional NACCHO Annual conference with PHIITS: Public Health Informatics, Information Technology, and Surveillance, a reimagined Public Health Informatics (PHI) Conference that goes beyond informatics to also explore local health department information technology infrastructure and public health surveillance.
Esri User Conference (july 13 - 15)
As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, we are making the decision to move the 2020 Esri User Conference from San Diego to a virtual format.
While we can't replicate the same experience of being together in person, we will do our best to create an amazing event that will continue to move you and our community forward. My sense is that this experience will help us all learn even more about what makes GIS and our work so special.
2020 United EdTech ConferencE (July 17 - 18)
Join other BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) as we work to highlight ways to create meaningful instructional activities for students using technology in a way where pedagogy comes FIRST! Spend time with experienced educators as we examine the best pedagogical practices for using Edtech, learn practical application techniques, and create meaningful activities for students.
QGIS North America 2020 (July 17 & TBD 24)
The QGIS US Users Group & partners in North America are proud to announce the QGIS North America 2020 virtual conference to be held on Friday, July 17, 2020 (and Friday, July 24th if needed). We offer this meeting as a way to share our ideas and skills when so many in-person meetings cannot safely happen. We recognize that while we are all separated, we have the opportunity to include people in a greater diversity in locations and economic situations since travel and registration costs are not necessary.
MONTHLY
National Cord Blood Awareness Month
Celebrate by spreading the word about cord blood. Cord blood is the term used for the blood collected from the umbilical cord and placenta (after birth) when a healthy baby is born. Cord blood banking includes the whole process from collection through storage of newborn stem cells for future medical purposes.
UV Safety Month
In support of UV Safety Month this July, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds the public of the importance of shielding eyes from the sun's harmful rays with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats.
WEEKLY
London Climate Awareness Week: Digital (July 1 - 3)
LCAW Digital will bring together world-leading experts and policy makers to drive the national and international Covid-19 climate policy response, prioritising green recovery. Events will focus on three key areas:
Green investment to rebuild economies;
International collaboration to address the climate crisis;
Solutions for adaptation and resilience.
Tracking Awareness Week (July 6 - 10)
CDC’s National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program is hosting the fifth annual Tracking Awareness Week from July 6-10, 2020. CDC, state and local health departments, partners, researchers, and people interested in environmental health are coming together to highlight important nationwide environmental health issues as well as recognize the work of the Tracking Program.
DAILY
World Population Day (July 11)
World Population Day, which seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, was established by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, an outgrowth of the interest generated by the Day of Five Billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.
World Hepatitis Day (July 28)
Worldwide, 300 million people are living with viral hepatitis unaware. Without finding the undiagnosed and linking them to care, millions will continue to suffer, and lives will be lost. On World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, we call on people from across the world to take action, raise awareness and join in the quest to find the “missing millions”.
If you participate in any of these virtual conferences, please contact us to tell us about your experience. Was it worth your while? What could have been improved and what would you like to see next time?
We would also appreciate you following us on social media and checking out our new Instagram page!
Click on the button below for the full July 2020 calendar. Coronavirus is still a thing (seriously) so please #WearAMask, practice #SocialDistancing, and take some time for yourself. Stay safe out there and be good to one another!