A two-part workshop on writing and giving conference papers which combines an introduction to academic conferences, writing abstracts and preparing presentations, with a practical session on the second day (run as a mock-conference) in which the participants have the opportunity to rehearse the delivery of sample presentations, handle questions and receive feedback. Josie has given this workshop in over 30 universities in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

Please note: you will need to prepare a short (5-minute) sample presentation on some aspect of your research, for delivery on the second day. This should be representative (in miniature) of the type of presentation you would expect to give in due course at a real conference. PowerPoint files will need to be brought to the session on a memory stick, and if you would like to have a handout, please bring multiple copies.

You are required to fill in short pre attendance questions in the Eventbrite form, at the point of registration, to help inform the delivery and content.

Learning outcomes

• Knowledge of how conferences work, from the initial call for papers through to published proceedings, and how to identify suitable conferences
• Learning how to draft a well-structured abstract efficiently, using a framework of key elements, and to edit it with the input of a test reader
• Reflection on what makes an effective and engaging presentation, thinking from the audience’s point of view
• Experience of preparing and delivering a presentation with slides
• Understanding the different challenges of online and F2F conference presentations
• Critical reflection on presentation techniques, and how to handle nerves
• Experience of handling questions from the audience, and tips for answering difficult questions
• Tips on making the most of conferences for an academic career