Digital Content

We are thrilled to share a new opportunity at the upcoming 44th ISTS Symposium: presenters will have the option to make their work available beyond the walls of the meeting! If you choose to opt in, oral presentations will be recorded (along with the Plenary Sessions and Origin Stories), and posters will be compiled in a digital gallery.

This pilot initiative is being made possible through the partnership between the 44th ISTS Symposium and Wild Earth Allies, who are also supporting the Pacific Islands Plenary. Together we are advancing equity and access, ensuring that the ideas, research, and stories shared in Kona reach colleagues worldwide and continue to inspire long after the event. This effort builds on long-standing conversations within ISTS about broadening participation, helping us connect with those unable to attend in person while also giving all participants the chance to revisit and reflect on presentations afterward.

By opting in, you’ll extend the life and impact of your work, transforming your presentation into a resource for training, teaching, outreach, and strengthening the collective memory of our community. Your research won’t just spark conversations in Hawai‘i; it will continue to inspire and inform long after the symposium ends.

During registration and abstract submission in Conftool, you will see a simple opt-in (or opt-out) option. We warmly encourage you to say yes and help shape this exciting step forward for ISTS.

To protect your intellectual property, ISTS has prepared a clear Consent and Authorization Form, so your materials are used only for non-commercial purposes, and you retain the right to withdraw at any time, even after the symposium.

This is a pilot initiative and together we will learn, refine, and create a baseline to evaluate the potential for this new access feature (and possibly even expanded) to become a regular part of future symposia..

Consent and authorization (full text provided for reference):

Consent and Authorization Form for the Use of Recorded Presentation Materials for the International Sea Turtle Society Symposium

 Consent and authorization

I, the undersigned, hereby grant permission to the International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS) to record, use, and distribute my presentation, including any slides, video, audio, or associated materials (hereafter “the materials”), under the following terms:

(1)   Purpose of use

The ISTS Symposium will record presentations with the consent of all author(s) to expand access to scientific content, support the professional development of its members, and maintain and archive of Symposium contributions. These recordings are intended solely for non-commercial, educational purposes, consistent with the ISTS Symposium’s mission to advance sea turtle research, conservation, education, global collaboration, and in accordance with the published Terms of Use for ISTS Symposium Recorded Materials. Recordings will be archived within the ISTS Symposium’s digital repository and made accessible to ISTS members as a benefit of membership. Access to the broader community may be granted at the discretion of ISTS when such dissemination aligns with the Society’s educational and outreach objectives. All recorded content remains the intellectual property of the author(s) and is subject to the copyright and permissions terms set forth herein.

(2)   Copyright

I retain full copyright of my presentation and associated materials. This authorization is non-exclusive and does not transfer any intellectual property rights.

(3)   Distribution rights

I authorize the International Sea Turtle Society to:

(a)   host and share the recording on official ISTS Symposium platforms (e.g., website, YouTube, academic archives).

(b)   use the material in promotional or summary content related to the symposium, provided it remains non-commercial and properly credits me as the author.

(4)   Limitations

I understand the organizers will prohibit commercial use and redistribution of my presentation by third parties, and I will be credited as the author in all distributions

(5)   Revocation

I may withdraw this consent at any time by providing written notice to the organizers. Such revocation will apply prospectively and not affect previously distributed content.

(6)   Consent to recording

I consent to being recorded during my presentation and understand that the video may include my likeness, voice, and slides or shared screens.