FAQs

When does registration open?
Registration usually opens in early October. Keep an eye on our webpage and social media for announcements.

How do I register for the conference?
Please visit our Registration page for details on how to register. Registration typically opens in early October.

What are the registration deadlines?
For those planning on presenting at the conference, the registration deadline is December 15th, 2021. Registration for those not presenting ends March 1st, 2022.

What is the registration fee for DOPE?
To see this year's current registration rates and deadlines, please visit our Registration page. DOPE maintains a variable registration fee in order to ensure accessibility of conference attendance to a wide array of people. As students, we fully understand the importance of an affordable conference fee; thus, we have tried to stay on par with other academic conferences.

What is the cancellation/refund policy?
All cancellations for the conference and field trips must be made by January 15th.

Who organizes the DOPE Conference?
The Dimensions of Political Ecology Conference is organized by a group of graduate students at the University of Kentucky. To find out more about how the DOPE Conference started, please visit our History and About pages.

Who can attend the DOPE Conference?
The Dimensions of Political Ecology Conference is open to a wide array of scholars, students and activists.
Graduate students, professors, independent scholars, and activists are encouraged to submit abstracts to proposed sessions. Undergraduate students are encouraged to submit abstracts to the Undergraduate Symposium. DOPE is considered to be a very student friendly conference, and registration rates vary to promote student involvement.

When will I receive the program?
Printed short programs (i.e., programs listing session and paper names) will be available during conference registration. Digital copies of the short and long programs (includes abstracts) will be made available as soon as possible (usually early February). Once the digital programs are available, you may find them on the main page of our website.

Please Note: While we try to make our digital programs available a few weeks before the conference, sometimes delays may occur because of our organizers schedules as students.

Where may I find conference proceedings?
Unfortunately at this time, DOPE does not compile or publish conference proceedings. Please contact paper authors directly for copies of their work.

How much time is allotted for my presentation?
In general, each presentation is allotted 20 minutes. Some session organizers ask presenters to allow for 5 of the 20 minutes to be for questions. If you are part of an organized session, please contact your session organizer for suggested presentation times.
For new presenters: On average it takes 2 minutes to read a page of text. Make sure to practice your timing before coming to the conference!

How are papers presented at DOPE? Should I bring my laptop?
Most presenters at DOPE use powerpoint or similar programs to present. Presenters can read papers or present without reading from a paper, depending on their comfort level; however, we highly suggest practicing papers before presenting. Presenters should bring their presentation file on a USB drive, or e-mail to the session organizers. Please arrive to your session early to add your presentation to the computer before your session begins.

Do you allow presenters to Skype in to the conference?
While we do allow presenters to present via Skype under special circumstances (e.g. travel bans), we highly suggest Skype-in's be avoided because we cannot guarentee the quality of internet service at the venue. If you do need to have a Skype presentation, please make sure to contact the DOPE organizers well in advance, so that we may ensure we have the proper equipment ready for your session.

What does it mean if UK-PEWG is the chair of my session?
If your session is chaired by UK-PEWG you are either in a session organized by the UK Political Ecology Working Group or your session organizers requested a University of Kentucky student to chair the session.
For Session Organizers: Please be advised that individuals chosen to chair the session may not be well-versed in the topic of the session, as they are student volunteers. Thus, participants should not rely on UK-PEWG volunteers to direct Q&A sessions.

How many abstracts may I submit? How many sessions may I participate in?
Participation is limited to one abstract submission per participant plus participation in one alternative-type session (e.g., panel, workshop, lightning round, etc.)

I submitted my abstract to a session, but don't know if it was accepted. What should I do?
Contact the session organizer!

Do you only accept paper sessions?
No! We are open to all alternative style sessions, whether they be panels, lightning rounds, film showings (prior permission required), workshops, etc. Please contact us if there are any special requests for your session.

What is the conference venue?
The conference is held on the campus of the University of Kentucky. Over the years we have held the conference in various venues, depending on availbility, including the Student Center, the 90, and Patterson Hall.

Where can I find a schedule of events?
Once we have determined the schedule of events, you may find it on our Schedule page.

When should I plan to arrive for the conference? When should I leave?
Pre- and post-conference activites (e.g., field trips, Welcome Event) occur on Thursday and Sunday of the conference. Presentations begin early Friday morning and end Saturday evening.

What is the weather like in Lexington, KY in February?
The average daily high in Lexington for the month of February is a chilly 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius), with an average low of 33 degrees (approx. 0 degrees Celsius).

Where should I stay during DOPE?
Please look at our Lodging page for ideas of where to stay during DOPE.