Frequently asked questions

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General

When will registration open?

Registration will open on 20 November 2023

Is WCE2024 going to have a virtual registration?
The conference will be conducted entirely in-person, unfortunately no virtual components are currently planned.
How will I know which registration fee applies to me?

We are using a multi-tired fee system and dependent on IEA membership status (member versus non-member) and country of origin (upper-middle low- and middle-income versus high income) classified according to the WB criteria.

What is included in the registration fee?

The registration fee includes:

  • In-person access to all conference sessions, symposia sessions, poster sessions and exhibition
  • Welcome reception and tea breaks
Are there financial assistance programmes to attend WCE2024?

100 registration bursaries have been allocated to LMIC delegates with accepted abstracts. Additionally, we have also allocated travel bursaries to 20 LMIC delegates. We are also in negotiations hoping to secure regional and country-specific scholarships. This will be allocated to delegates who have previously requested financial support as part of the fast-track and general abstract submission process.

How can I apply for financial assistance to attend WCE2024?

Applications were only available for the fast track and general abstract submissions and not for the late-breaking abstract submissions. 

What are the requirements?

  • Applicants must be actively involved in the field of epidemiology or a related discipline.
  • Applicants must have submitted an abstract for consideration.
  • A letter of recommendation from a supervisor, mentor, or head of department is required.
  • Recipients must be the presenting author of an accepted abstract and commit to fully participating in the whole conference. 
  • Priority will be given to applicants from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

What is the selection criteria?

  • They awarded based on the quality of the abstract, application and letter of recommendation. 
  • The selection process will consider the potential impact of the applicant’s work on public health and epidemiological research.

* The number of bursaries awarded and the amount of financial support will be determined based on available funds and the overall merit of the applications.

What currency will be accepted at the conference?

Only South African Rand (ZAR) will be accepted as a form of payment on-site. Payments made in any other currencies will not be accepted.

Will meals be provided during the conference?

Meals and refreshments will be available at the conference venue, and delegates are responsible for covering these costs for the duration of the conference. Public catering is priced at approximately ZAR150,00 per person per meal.

Will parking be available at the conference?

Parking is offered at the venue at an approximate rate of ZAR65,00 per car per day.

Photographs and recording

Upon submission of the Conference registration form, the delegate consents to the Organizer taking photographs and recordings (both video and/or audio) of the delegate during the event, and subsequently publishing them on the conference website.

The Organizer shall possess the intellectual property rights to the photographs and recordings taken during the Conference and reserves the right to utilize them for educational and/or marketing purposes.

What happens if the conference is cancelled?
Should the Conference be unable to proceed or is postponed due to circumstances beyond the control of the Conference Secretariat (force majeure), or events not arising from deliberate intent or gross negligence of the Conference Secretariat, the Conference Secretariat cannot be held accountable by delegates for any resulting damages, expenses, or losses, including but not limited to transportation and accommodation costs, financial setbacks, etc. In such instances, the Conference Secretariat retains the right to either hold the entire registration fee for a future conference or, alternatively, refund the delegate after deducting costs already expended in the organization of the conference that could not be recuperated from third parties.
Interpretation, Governing Law, and Jurisdiction
The interpretation of the terms and conditions outlined herein rests solely with the Organiser. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with South African law. The parties involved hereby agree to submit exclusively to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.

Abstracts

What are the abstract submission deadlines?
  • Fast track submission deadline is 1 December 2023.
  • General submission deadline is 16 February 2024.
  • Final submission deadline is 31 May 2024.
How can I update information on my abstract?

If you need to amend your submitted abstract (before the relevant deadline), kindly contact Stacey at: stacey@soafrica.com

I am having trouble submitting my abstract, who can I contact?

Please contact wceabstracts@soafrica.com

How many abstracts can I submit?
There is no limit to the number of abstracts that can be submitted.
Will the abstracts be presented orally or on a poster?
Both, the selection will be based on the reviewers’ feedback, with some abstracts chosen for poster presentations and others for oral presentations.

Travel and Visa

Do I need a visa to travel to South Africa?

Some countries do require a visa to travel to South Africa and travellers must produce a valid visa before entry. A visa will be issued for a visit for tourism or business purposes. Some countries are exempted from visa control, which means that citizens from those countries do not need a visa to visit South Africa. Countries exempt from visas can be found here.

Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for the most up to date entry and exit requirements.

How do I get a letter of invitation?

If you need a visa invitation letter, please select the option “Send Letter of Invitation” when completing the WCE2024 registration form. Alternatively, you can reach out to the WCE2024 Registration Manager for assistance wceregistrations@soafrica.com.

Visa requirements
The delegate is solely responsible for managing their own visa requirements. Delegates in need of a visa should ensure they allocate sufficient time for the application process. It is advised that delegates reach out to the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate to ascertain the optimal timing for their visa applications.

Participant information may be shared with South African immigration authorities to facilitate the immigration process. Please note that the Conference Secretariat will not engage with embassies and consulates directly on behalf of delegates.

Conference program

Will there be workshops?
Yes, preconference workshops will be hosted at WCE2024 and are included in the overall cost of the conference.
Who can exhibit at WCE2024
Any organisation can apply to exhibit their products or services at the conference. Applications are currently open.
Who can host a symposium/satellite at WCE2024?
Any organisation can apply to exhibit or host a symposium or satellite meeting at WCE2024. Applications are currently open.
When will the satellite sessions take place?

Please view the programme at a glance for provisional satellite symposia dates and times. These dates and times are subject to change.

Preventing, predicting, preparing for, and responding to epidemics and pandemics

Session type: Multi-speaker symposium
Session will be a reflection of the roles and responsibilities of epidemiologists during the course of the pandemic, as well as lessons learnt will be important for management of future pandemics.

Meet the editors

Session type: Panel discussion
Session will involve engagement of Editors of epidemiology journals on how they promote inclusive publishing on their platforms and how far have they gone to include the rest of the world in their publications.

Old risk factors in the new era: tobacco, alcohol and physical activity

Session type: Multi-speaker symposium
Session will delve into the evolving landscape of traditional risk factors amid contemporary health challenges. The aim is to explore how the dynamics of tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and physical activity have transformed in the modern era, considering technological, societal, and cultural shifts.

Shafalika Goenka
(Public Health Foundation of India, India)

Katherine Keyes
(Columbia University, USA)

Lekan Ayo Yusuf
(University of Pretoria, SA)

Is it risky for epidemiologists to be advocates?

Session type: Debate
In the current climate, epidemiologists risk becoming non-neutral actors hampering their ability to do science as well as making them considered to be less reliable to the public.

Kalpana Balakrishnan
(Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, India)

Neal Pearce
(London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK)

The role of epidemiology in building responses to violence

Session type: Multi-speaker symposium
Violence has been given insufficient attention and priority in the arena of public health policy, partnerships and interventions. Session will explore what role can and will epidemiology play in improving responses to violence?

Zinzi Bailey
(University of Minnesota, USA)

Rodrigo Guerrero-Velasco
(Violence Research Center of Universidad del Valle, Columbia)

Rachel Jewkes
(South African Medical Research Council, SA)

Ethics and epidemiology: conflicts of interest in research and service

Session type: Panel discussion
This session aims to dissect the complexities surrounding conflicts of interest in both research and public health practice, emphasising the critical need for transparency, integrity, and ethical decision-making.

Racial and ethnic classifications in epidemiology: global perspectives

Session type: Multi-speaker symposium
Session will explore the continued predominance of certain types of studies which influence global practice despite the lack of racial, ethnic and geographic diversity is a major weakness in epidemiology.

Critical reflections on epidemiology and its future

Session type: Panel discussion
Session will explore where is epidemiology headed, particularly given what field has been through in recent times? Is the field still fit for purpose? With all the new emerging threats, important to establish whether field is ready.

Teaching epidemiology: global perspectives

Session type: Panel discussion
Understanding how epidemiology is taught in different parts of the world is essential. Session will unpack why is epidemiology taught differently? Is it historical? Implications of these differences?

Na He
(Fudan University, China)

Katherine Keyes
(Columbia University, USA)

Noah Kiwanuka
(Makerere University, Uganda)

Miquel Porta
(Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Spain)

Pharmacoepidemiology: new insights and continuing challenges

Session type: Multi-speaker symposium
This session aims to explore recent advancements in studying the utilization and effects of medications on populations, addressing methodological innovations, and novel data sources.

Are traditional cohorts outdated?

Session type: Panel discussion
Session will explore the landscape of traditional cohort studies, touching on their continued relevance in the contemporary research landscape. What are the limitations of traditional cohorts, challenges in data collection, evolving research questions, and potential advancements in study designs.

Karen Canfell
(The Daffodil Centre, Cancer Council NSW/University of Sydney, Australia)

Mauricio Lima Barreto
(Center of Data and Knowledge Integration for Health, Brazil)

Naja Hulvej Rod
(University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

Yuan Lin
(Nanjing Medical University, China)

Have DAGs fulfilled their promise?

Session type: Debate
Critical reflection on why despite their importance in the Methods community, DAGs are not widely included in publications. Session will provide perspective on their utility in future research

Peter Tennant
(University of Leeds, UK)

Margarita Moreno-Betancur
(University of Melbourne, Australia)

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