Dear Clay Scientists,

The 17^th International Clay Conference (ICC) will be organized in hybrid format. This will allow for everyone to participate either face-to-face o r virtually in the largest quadrennial clay science meeting. Presenters will have the option to give their oral talk(s) in either a virtual pre-recorded format (asynchronous) o r in a streamed physical, on-site, real-time (synchronous) format. Poster presenters will have the opportunity to also pre-record a summary of their results for viewing by conference participants. Furthermore, the limit to the number of abstract submission has been removed.

To accommodate this update, the deadline for abstract submission is now February 28, 2022, which gives everyone more time submit. Presenters do not need to commit their format (face-to-face o r virtual) at the time of abstract submission. The abstract acceptance deadline is now March 15, 2022. The deadline to decide if you want to present asynchronously o r synchronously is May 2, 2022, which coincides with the announcement of the preliminary program andallows more time for you to consider your travel options.

The hybrid format will also allowfor workshops to be attended virtually orphysically. Workshop leaders will be working with the workshop speakers to ensure high quality talks, which may also be run in hybrid format. At this point in time, field trips are still being planned in physical format, unless the Turkish Ministry of Health issues guidelines that logistically prevent it. Final field trip updates will appear at least a month before their planned dates.

Conference fees are being kept the same without distinction between virtual o r physical attendance. This is to ensure the highest quality audiovisual experience for everyone.

We look forward to abstract submissions, with the knowledge that regardless of presentation format.

The 17^th ICC 2022 will continue to be the premier conference for disseminating advances in clay science with your invaluable contribution.

We look forward to seeing everyone in July!

On behalf of the Organizing Committee.

Most sincerely,

Selahattin Kadir                                                            

Conference General Chair