Predatory (or fake/bogus) conferences and meetings have appeared alongside parasitic journals and have multiplied in number in recent years. Researchers are usually invited by email to conferences that are presented as legitimate but have no scientific background. These meetings are lacking in peer review, misuse the names of well-known experts who do not even attend the conference, and are in fact exploitative.
Recommended reading and more information:
- A website with a checklist to help identify predatory conferences: https://thinkcheckattend.org/
- Eaton, S. E. (2018). Avoiding Predatory Journals and Questionable Conferences: A Resource Guide. Calgary, Canada: University of Calgary. doi: 10.11575/PRISM/20
- Godskesen T, Eriksson S, Oermann MH, Gabrielsson S. Predatory conferences: a systematic scoping review. BMJ Open. 2022;12(11): e062425. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062425. PMID: 36450423; PMCID: PMC9716922
- Tips on How to Identify and Avoid Predatory Conferences (by Enago Academy, Sep 30, 2021): https://www.enago.com/academy/tips-identify-avoid-predatory-conferences/