One of the key milestones in the work of scientists is attending scientific conferences. Such events give researchers the opportunity to present their work and establish contacts with colleagues from different countries. However, in order to achieve all the set goals and present the results of the research, it is extremely important to approach the preparation responsibly. What should be taken into account? What supporting materials should be prepared? How should the presentation be structured? We will discuss this in more detail below.
How does a scientific conference usually proceed?
Before starting to prepare for a conference presentation, it is important to understand its structure. Although there is no universal plan for scientific conferences, as the format can vary significantly depending on the scientific discipline or organisers, most events have common standard stages.
For the most part, scientific conferences follow this scenario:
- Registration of participants (gathering of participants, issuance of badges, etc.).
- Opening of the conference (welcome speech, introduction to the programme of the event).
- Presentations by participants (can be either general or sectional).
- Panel discussions (discussion of questions from the audience by experts).
- Coffee/lunch breaks.
- Master classes/workshops.
- Closing of the conference (summing up, issuing certificates).
- Particular attention should be paid to the third point – participant presentations. It is at this stage that the researcher has the opportunity to present the results of their research to the audience. Therefore, it is very important to thoroughly prepare your presentation – from the structure of the report to the accompanying materials and the way the information is presented.
Next, we will take a closer look at how to structure your presentation correctly and what to consider when preparing it.
Presenting at a scientific conference: what do you need to know?
Choosing the presentation format
First of all, you should clearly define the format of your research presentation. This will determine how you structure your presentation.
For example, if the scientific conference you are attending requires an oral presentation, you should prepare a short but informative report covering the key aspects of your research: purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions. Such a presentation usually lasts 10–15 minutes, so you need to choose the information very carefully so as not to overload the audience with details.
If a poster presentation is required, the format of preparation changes. In this case, the scientific research is presented in the form of a poster, which conference participants can view at their convenience. It is important that it is visually appealing, not oversaturated with text, and that the information is clearly structured.
Preparation of accompanying materials
It should be noted that for better perception of the material during an oral presentation, it would be useful to prepare an accompanying presentation. With its help, you can draw the audience's attention to the key aspects of the research.
When creating it, it is important to take into account a number of rules, in particular:
- Slides should not be overloaded with text (it is better to use a 6x6 scheme – there should be no more than 6 lines on a slide, and no more than 6 words in each line).
- For greater clarity, add visual elements (graphs, tables or graphic images) instead of text.
- Replace full sentences with short theses.
- Use colours that combine well with each other.
- Give preference to standard fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri. Also, to ensure that the audience can comfortably perceive the information, it is recommended to use a font size of at least 24 pt.
- The information on the slides should not duplicate your report, but complement it.
Rehearsing your presentation
There are often cases when a scientist cannot adequately present their research due to fear of public speaking. To avoid this problem, you need to rehearse your presentation so that you can feel confident in front of the audience and stay within the allotted time.
To do this, you can record yourself on video or practise in front of colleagues who can give you constructive feedback.
Preparing for the question and answer session
Usually, after the presentation, the audience has the opportunity to ask the scientist questions about their work. This section is necessary to identify gaps in the research and to test the author's competence.
In order to feel more confident in front of the audience, you should prepare answers to potential questions in advance. In addition, it is worth thinking about how to respond briefly and reasonably to critical comments that may arise from the audience.
Scientific conferences play a key role in the professional growth of scientists and the popularisation of their research. They serve as an effective platform for the exchange of knowledge, ideas and experience between specialists from different fields. However, in order for a conference presentation to be truly effective, it is important to approach the preparation responsibly.
If you are having difficulty publishing an article in a scientific journal, contact Scientific Publications. We will provide a free consultation and develop a personalised publication strategy just for you. Our specialists will also accompany you through all stages of the process: from choosing a journal to the actual publication. To learn more about our services, fill out the form below, and our manager will consult with you. Together to new scientific achievements!
