A small group presentation. Photo credit: Unsplash
If you’ve read my previous posts on this blog, you’ll know that I was given the opportunity to present my research at the 2021 University of Tennessee Knoxville Undergraduate Classics Conference. This year, I had the chance to return to the same conference, this time for an in-person experience. While I definitely felt more prepared than the first time around, I still felt that I had lots to learn. The unspoken rules and expectations of academic conferences can be difficult for undergrads to navigate! While I’m certainly no expert yet, I wanted to provide a few more tips and suggestions that I’ve gathered. Students who are interested in presenting research but unsure about the process, this post is for you. With all that said, here are my top three tips for a successful conference experience.
- Don’t be afraid to apply! I know that I promised help with navigating conferences and that this tip might not seem to fit the bill, but my advice would be incomplete without it. None of what I’m about to say will be helpful if you’re unwilling to put yourself and your work out into the world in the first place. If you’re nervous, try and look for undergraduate conferences. Your field might not have any, but they’re an excellent place to start. And, no matter your field, seek advice from trusted professors or advisors who will be able to recommend different avenues for presenting your research.
- Be prepared. While being prepared is generally good advice, it is especially key for academic conferences. This preparation can start long before the conference opens. As soon as possible, try to learn the format of the conference, the technological resources, and the expectations for presenters. Should you provide handouts? If so, how many? How will you share your PowerPoint with the conference organizers? How will you get to the conference if it requires travel? Is funding for that travel available? Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, but it should get you in the right frame of mind. It’s much better to err on the side of over-preparation, especially if this is your first time presenting research. As mentioned above, professors and advisors in your field can let you know what to expect and how to get ready.
- Participate fully. In my (admittedly limited) experience, conferences can be overwhelming. There are so many people to meet and presentations to attend. However, that’s why you’re there, so try to make the most of your short time in such an intellectually stimulating environment. The format of every conference is different, but whatever is going on, try to go and be truly present. Of course, that means attending sessions and panels, but it also means staying engaged and asking questions. Outside of the scheduled events, take the opportunity to speak to other presenters and attendees. Their knowledge and passion will enrich the conference, and they will almost certainly be happy to talk more about their intellectual interests. Some of my most interesting and informative conference experiences did not occur in the context of scheduled programming, but rather in the moments between presentations.
While this is certainly not a complete list, I hope that it will be helpful as you think about presenting your research for the first time. If you have any more questions, please feel free to reach out to me!