How to Prepare Academic Research Conferences

Academic Research Conferences are one of the most valuable opportunities that a given people get to show the results of their work, to seek advice and to meet similar persons. Regardless if this is your first time to join a conference or you are a part of it on the regularly basis, it is helpful to prepare for it. From this article, we shall take you through the SWOT analysis in an effort to help you prepare for the next academic conference.

1. START: List down Your Expectations out of Attending

When you have not yet signed up for the conference, ask yourself the purpose of attending the event. Are you participating to convey your work, to find potential partners and funders, or to learn about updated information on your fields of interest? It will enable you to create targets on which sessions, speakers or workshops to follow.

Presenting Research: If you are presenting then your main objective is to make your presentation as understandable and persuasive as possible.

Networking: If constructing relationships is important, a person must participate in social meetings and contribute to discussions.

Learning: If, for example, you are going to attend to get some knowledge in a specific field, try to attend those sessions which you believe are relevant to your work.

2. Submit Your Abstract and Paper only in case if you are going to make presentation.

If you plan to present, you are required to submit you’re abstract and papers as early as possible. Remember to stick to the specified guidelines of a submission to a conference mainly in terms of the recommended word length, how the document should be formatted among other things and the submission deadlines.

Tip: Select a topic of your study but at the same time it should be appealing to the attendees of the conference. This will increase the probability of your paper being accepted and when accepted, well received.

3. Prepare Your Presentation

If you have been lucky to be selected to make a presentation, then this is how you should do it. Here's how you can go about it.

Create a Clear and Engaging Presentation: Your slides should be eye-catching minimalist, free of clutter, and should only include the main points. Do not overcrowd a slide with content and if possible, elaborate your points with charts, graph or image where necessary.

Practice Your Talk: Rehearse the presentation several times, as it is possible to do this in front of your friend or co-worker. Be aware of your voice and language; gestures and pacing.

Time your Presentation: Most conferences have stringent time considerations, so use a time table to help ensure the group stays on track as per the fixed time for presentation.

Prepare for Q&A: Consider what questions one may ask on the topic, and develop easy-to-understand answers. Showing preparedness to answer questions is always a sign that one understands his/her research work well.

4. Spruce up Your Resume and profiles

If the conference has a way of connecting people for example through the creation of groups, ensure that your account is up to date with the latest research information.

Tip: Scientific photos should be uploaded and your fields of interests, recent papers should be filled so that attending individuals can quickly find it.

5. Book Your Trip and Stay

After the presentation has been approved, the next thing is to consider how you are going to travel. Consider these points.

Book Early: Plan and buy flight tickets as well as train and booking your accommodation early enough to avoid high prices and last minute rush.

Travel Arrangements: Visit the conference’s website to find the transport information; whether shuttle services from the airport are available or which hotels are considered to be most appropriate for staying during the conference.

Time Zone Awareness: If the conference occurs in another region or other country, be careful with time difference.

6. Network Strategically

Conferences are a prime opportunity for networking, so it’s important to plan ahead:

Reach out Beforehand: If there are certain persons or organizations you would like to-dialogue just let them know, preferably prior to the dialogue, that you are interested in their work.

Bring Business Cards: Despite of this, business cards are a good way of putting down contact detail in a short of time.

Attend Social Events: Some conferences have moaning receptions, dinners, or other social gatherings, any circumstances are a good time to make casual contacts with other researchers.

7. Plan for the poster sessions (if the presentations are to be in this format)

And don’t forget a little rule: if you are going to give a poster – it should look nice, be readable and tell about your work. Here are some tips:

Design: Don’t write much, instead incorporate high quality pictures and images. The poster should sum up the story of your study in a few words and interesting graphics.

Interactivity: Compose an overview that will be no longer than thirty seconds to summarise your findings. It should Repeat your findings in 2-3 minutes durably and make hesitant bystanders hurry to get closer to your stand.

Engage with Attendees: Registration is also a good time to be prepared to answer questions and elaborate your work in detail during the poster session.

8. Make it Your Duty to Get Acquainted with the Conference Timetable

However, before going for a conference, always look at the calendar as a guide on some of the sessions that should be attended. Like with any kind of conference, there is usually a series of topics that attendees can cover which can be overwhelming.

Prioritize Key Sessions: Select sessions reflecting your area of study or ideas you have not considered before.

Set Reminders: Take a phone or a digital calendar to mark some of the important sessions, or an event that you are not willing to miss.

9. Pack Wisely

What you need to pack is not just your clothes but much more when going for a conference. Here are some method items you should consider bringing.

Presentation Materials: Presenters should carry their copies of the slides, a back-up of the USB drive and any other material necessary which may include the laptop, adapters among others.

Business Cards: Among those tips, one is notable once again – networking is critical, so do not leave your business cards at home.

Notebooks or Devices: Come to session with something to write on and something to write with. This should assist you to recall some highlights and communicate a point in full afterwards |

Comfortable Shoes: Just know that most of the time you’ll be doing a lot of walking around so wear comfortable shoes for the legs.

10. Maintaining Organizational During the Conference

Once at the conference, stay organized by keeping track of:

Key Contacts: Always note down the people you meet with them with contacts of the people you have met. After the conference is a perfect time to maintain connection with those who we met there.

Session Notes: Take notes during the sessions that will help you recall information that you have learnt during the course of the session.

Important Materials: This could also apply if you are holding handouts or papers, in other to avoid losing vital information.

11. Conclusion after the Conference

There are few things that are crucial after attending an entrepreneurship conference and those are the follow-ups. This will enable you to develop long term relationship with fellow professionals.

Send Follow-Up Emails: Contact important contacts made earlier and express your appreciation with further negotiations for possible further communication or cooperation.

Review Your Notes: Look back at the sessions and try to identify a couple of things that stood out for you and how you can use those in a particular research study.

Share Your Experience: If applicable, post your experience on the social networks of the firm, or if you want to write a short blog on what you took away from the conference.

Conclusion

To get the maximum yield out of an academic research conference, some preparation is necessary hence making it a not to be missed event. Regardless of whether you are sharing your work, talking to other professionals, or participating in students-sharing-students sessions, the strategies are simple: be prepared, be active, and take the best shot. If you follow the tips stated above, then you’ll be well prepared to make a difference at the next academic conference out there.