Global Community BioSummit

About

The Community Biotechnology Initiative at the MIT Media Lab organizes the Global Community Bio Summit (GCBS). Its goal is to provide a space for the global community of bio-hackers and members of independent and community laboratories to convene, plan, build fellowship, and continue the evolution of the movement. Programming topics have included diversity and inclusion, sharing and learning, bio security, enabling technologies, bio art and design, governance, and (starting with the pandemic-era 4.0 edition) responding to COVID-19.

The first edition was held in 2017, and the summit has convened almost every year since, moving to an all-virtual format starting with 4.0 in 2020. A virtual reunion was held in October 2024, at which planning began for a 7.0 edition.

Events (past and future)

• Bio Summit 7.0 — planned, virtual (dates not yet announced)
• Reunion — October 5, 2024 (virtual)
• Bio Summit 6.0 — 2022
• Bio Summit 5.0 — November 18-20, 2021
• Bio Summit 4.0 — October 9-11, 2020 (virtual, shifted from in-person due to COVID-19)
• Bio Summit 3.0 — October 11-13, 2019
• Bio Summit 2.0 — October 26-28, 2018
• Bio Summit 1.0 — September 22-24, 2017

Text adapted from the initiative’s own website and event listings; exact dates for 6.0 could not be confirmed.