Poster presentation experience – metrics and improvements

During the 2-hour poster session 1, I managed to have conversations with around 13-15 people. One of them – Clare Holl – is the person in charge of the IUCN SSC PSG Section on Small Apes’ (SSA) social media and communication, and she wanted to feature my poster in their next newsletter. I thank Lee Zan Hui for stopping by to interact with me and my poster and provide valuable feedback. 

Improvements:

1. Time management
– More concise and straight to the point 
– Allow time for Q&A, and other interactions
2. Make room to invite more people to listen in
3. Attention to details
4. Personalise and cater to the listener based on what’s known/observed about them
5. Handout contact and information for follow-ups

MPS booth volunteering

I was able to make use of the time when managing MPS’s booth and selling merchandise to have meaningful conversations with fellow members of MPS while feeling connected to the Malaysian primatologist community. I appreciate the sense of belonging and the chance I had to represent MPS for a short while in promoting Malaysian primates to the visitors and passerby at the booth. 

General takeaways 

1. Better preparations before the conference 
– Create a more detailed itinerary for talks and exhibits to keep track of relevant people and topics of interest
– Print CV/name card and proposals for easy follow-ups
– Create a personal profile online 

2. Need to start creating a ‘leads and contacts database’
3. Really liked the implementation of inclusivity (e.g. provision of day-care service, hybrid-style meetings) and dialogues about decolonisation. More efforts are needed to accommodate indigenous communities, LGBTQ+, and disabled people in primate research and conservation. Excited for more reports about diversity and equity achieved by each country in the next IPS meeting. 
4. How can international colleagues (esp. from developed countries) appropriately act as an ally or positive intervention to the local conservation and lobbyist groups without them being perceived as colonisers, saviour complexes and alike?

Vision in advancing primatology in Malaysia

1. Knowledge sharing and cooperation 

– Online platform/club for quick and easy communication 
– Mentorship/peer-mentoring
– Online data-sharing hub

2. Forge friendships and solidarity among primate researchers and conservationists 
– Regular regional meetings for members to maintain connections 
– Celebrate each other’s achievements
– Stand together against injustices and bullies 
– Checks and balances within and between NGOs, businesses, and the government
3. Advancing technologies and research to increase the profile of primatology in Malaysia
– Organise workshops with international collaborators 
– Stay up-to-date on the newest technologies and future trends (e.g. AI, drones, non-invasive tools)
4. Catch up on international guidelines for establishing primate rehabilitation facilities, translocation protocols, and conservation breeding programs. 
5. Integrate local businesses and zoos in funding conservation projects and sustainable development

Acknowledgement

I am indebted to the Malaysia Primatological Society and The Habitat Foundation for the travel grant. I admire the board members of MPS for pulling off Malaysia’s first-ever, world-largest congregation of primatologists, with flying colours and successfully elevating Malaysia’s profile to global recognition. I specifically want to thank Dr. Yap Jo Leen and Mariani ‘Bam’ Ramli, without whom I wouldn’t have had the slightest chance of attending the conference. And I thank everyone I met at the conference for entertaining my questions, for career advice, and for encouragement and inspiration.