Conferences 101
An introduction to attending and presenting at academic conferences
90 minutes, online or in person
Entering the domain of academic conferences can sometimes feel overwhelming, intimidating and complicated for early career researchers. This workshop aims to clarify and simplify the processes of attending and presenting at conferences, by introducing the purpose, structure and practical realities of academic conferences.
This session focuses on introducing students to what they can expect at conferences; and how to prepare well in order to gain maximum benefit and learning from their attendance. This session will address two key aspects of conferences:
(1) An introduction to how academic conferences are typically organised and what they comprise, including:
- Differing sizes and scales of academic events (conferences, symposiums, colloquiums, forums)
- Types of participants/audiences
- Themes/focus
(2) Tips and advice for participating in a conference, including:
- Selecting suitable conferences to present at or attend
- Setting clear goals and intentions for each conference
- The typical process of applying to present at a conference
- How to prepare effectively once you’ve been accepted
- Networking and building connections at conferences
This workshop is particularly suitable for researchers who are new to academic conferences and professional research environments.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the session, participants will have learned:
- the purpose and value of academic conferences within research careers
- how to clarify their goals and priorities for conference participation
- how conferences are typically structured and organised
- how to identify suitable conferences and respond to calls for papers
- practical strategies for preparing to attend and present at conferences
- how to approach networking and professional conversations with greater confidence and intention