Connect with Smith staff and Fellows this year
Below are the conferences that staff will be attending, there are many other conferences that Fellows attend throughout the year as well. Please reach out to Fellows if you’re interested in meeting them at a conference!
NACCR 2026
When: July 12-16
Where: Milwaukee, WI
Who will be there: Laura Yates, Smith Fellows Program Manager
Smith Fellows Interactive Panel Session | Thursday, July 16 | 9:00-10:15 AM | Baird Center N208-A
Smith Fellows will host an interactive panel session titled From Research to Action: How Conservation Science Informs (and Doesn't Inform) Practice. This session convenes 4 - 5 panelists representing complementary perspectives on the science-to-practice gap in conservation, drawn from across the Smith Fellows community - including Fellows at different career stages, practitioner mentors, board members, and others connected to the program through funding, review, or institutional partnerships. View the full session schedule in NACCR’s Program.
Smith Fellows Community Office Hours | Tuesday, July 14 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Chapter's Oasis
Curious about the David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship? Come talk with us! This informal drop-in session brings together Smith Fellows staff, alumni, and community members for conversation and connections. Whether you're an early-career researcher wondering if your ideas are a good fit, considering getting involved as a mentor or reviewer, or just want to learn more about what the fellowship experience is actually like, this is a low-barrier opportunity to ask candid questions and connect with people within the Smith Fellows community. Stop by anytime during the hour. We hope to see you there!
International Coral Reef Symposium
When: July 19-24, 2026
Where: Aukland, New Zealand
Who will be there: Nicole Crane, Smith Fellows Executive Director
ESA 2026
When: July 26-31
Where: Salt Lake City, UT
Who will be there: Nicole Crane, Smith Fellows Executive Director
Smith Fellows Mixer Event | Wednesday, July 29 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm | Salt Palace Convention Center
The Smith Fellowship will host a mixer for conservation scientists with an emphasis on building collaborations that support early career professionals and the work to link conservation science and how it is translated into practice (management, policy and more), including working with communities that are impacted by the work. The Smith Fellowship is a two-year, postdoctoral program that supports early-career conservation scientists working to bridge conservation science and practice. This event provides an opportunity to connect with peers and collaborators across disciplines, institutions, and sectors, with an emphasis on building professional relationships and fostering collaboration. View the full event description and details here.
Smith Fellows Information Session | Wednesday, July 29 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm | Room 253A
Come learn from Fellows and program staff about the program and what makes a successful proposal, becoming a mentor, and/or how to become a reviewer. Bring your lunch!
International Marine Conservation Congress
When: November 13-16, 2026
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
Who will be there: Nicole Crane, Smith Fellows Executive Director
Reef Futures
When: December 6-11, 2026
Where: Riviera Maya, Mexico
Who will be there: Nicole Crane, Smith Fellows Executive Director