The Lure of the Podium: The Seductive Appeal of Predatory Conference Speaker Invitations

• Published in: Annals of biomedical engineering Vol. 52; no. 8; pp. 1935 - 1936
• Main Author: Garcia, Manuel B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.08.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biological and Medical Physics; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedicine; Biophysics; Classical Mechanics; Due diligence; Letter to the Editor; Academic integrity; Predatory practices; Health conferences
• ISSN: 0090-6964; 1573-9686; 1573-9686
• DOI: 10.1007/s10439-024-03506-z

This letter highlights an escalating concern regarding predatory conference speaker invitations that are currently plaguing academia. Such invitations are frequently issued to individuals outside their areas of expertise, for instance, non-healthcare professionals being invited to health-related conferences. This issue poses a substantial threat as it compromises the integrity of legitimate academic discourse and carries the risk of propagating unchecked and potentially detrimental information. To avoid becoming ensnared by these predatory practices, it is paramount to undertake thorough due diligence. Consequently, this letter also outlines the characteristics of predatory speaker invitations. These guidelines underscore the necessity for the academic community to remain vigilant and judicious, thereby recognizing these overtures for what they truly represent: a deceptive temptation that leads away from authentic scholarly engagement toward a facade of recognition and prestige.