HBES 2024 member survey – summary of findings

Human Behavior and Evolution Society Post-Conference Survey 2024

In 2024, we sent out a survey to the HBES mailing list (>1700 recipients) and everyone who attended the 2024 HBES Conference in Aarhus, Denmark. The descriptions of survey results are organized below into:

1. Respondent information
2. HBES in general
3. Aarhus conference
4. Future conferences
5. Spending priorities

 

1. RESPONDENT INFORMATION

107 members responded to the survey. Their information is tabulated below according to their academic status, discipline, and region:

2. SATISFACTION WITH HBES

Based on survey participants’ Likert responses (see figure below), few were dissatisfied with HBES in general. The quality of our journal received the most praise while Elsevier received the most criticism.

 

Few participants provided additional comments. Among those who did, there was disagreement with respect to whether HBES is too political or not political enough, and whether HBES is not doing enough to encourage inclusivity or is doing too much; perhaps this reflects a healthy diversity of opinion within the society. Concerning HBES’ communication efforts, several participants encouraged HBES to be more actively engaged in social media or other outlets, to correct misinformation regarding our research or regarding evolutionary approaches to cognition and behavior in general – both time-intensive tasks. Other participants wanted more timely and transparent communication from the executive council, concerning the society’s financials or the timing and location of annual meetings.

Finally, several members wanted greater diversity on the executive council and in society and conference awardees. Please remember to nominate individuals for these positions and awards (please see recent emails regarding nominations for awards and elected positions).

 

3. AARHUS CONFERENCE

Survey participants overall felt the Aarhus conference was a success, and on several metrics the majority of participants felt the conference was above average (see Figure below).

Most respondents felt that sexual harassment was not a problem (51/59) or was the same or less of a problem than at other conferences (7/59).

 

4. FUTURE CONFERENCES

Most survey participants were against future conferences that are either fully online or combine online and in-person. 94 of the survey respondents indicated months they were available or preferred for future conferences (see Figure below).

 

 

5. SPENDING PRIORITIES

Members were asked about their agreement as to whether HBES should be funding various concerns and also whether they would take advantage of such funding.

Given the major decline in royalties that HBES now receives from Elsevier—formerly HBES’ chief source of funding—the executive council will be prioritizing funding of HBES conferences over local events or preconferences at other conferences in the foreseeable future.

 

Is there information that you think the HBES executive should collect about its members or their opinions? Let us know by contacting the HBES Communications Officer.