What happens at an academic conference?
Presentations at academic conferences are often followed by questions and discussion between presenters and their audience. Commonly, either a selection of the papers or all the papers of a conference will be edited and published as “Conference Proceedings” subsequent to the conference. WHEN AND WHERE ARE ACADEMIC CONFERENCES HELD?
Why is it difficult to attend conferences as a PhD student?
Several factors contribute, which can make conference attendance and participation difficult, especially, for PhD students, Travel and time commitments must be foreseen and coordinated. “Do I have the money for a plane ticket?”
Is it intimidating to attend an academic conference?
But, attending a conference can also be very intimidating, especially, if this is your first academic conference. Questions about your own knowledge and ability as well as how and where you fit into the scholarly and/or professional landscape will arise.
What is academic conferences international?
Welcome to Academic Conferences Academic Conferences International have been supporting the Academic Community for over 20 years. We manage a range of Conferences Worldwide as well as offering an on-line Academic Bookshop, Publishing and Dissertation Service. To view our scheduled Academic Conferences please visit our Conference Calendar
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Work out the real cost of going
What I mean is work out the cheapest way you can attend including transport and accommodation. Know that the conference registration cost is not necessarily what you have to pay. You can probably attend for cheaper, but don’t forget to consider the costs of flights/trains/taxis and your hotel in your budget.
Talk to your university
Even if your research project doesn’t come with specific funding for conference travel, the university may be able to offset the cost of attending the conference for students, or perhaps connect you with a professor or another student who is attending with whom you might be able to cost-share.
Consider alternative options for your accommodation
The conference is probably associated with a hotel and a “special rate” for rooms there during the conference dates but it’s still likely to be expensive. Consider sharing rooms with a colleague or looking at hotel options slightly further away from the conference venue.
Be clear on your goals for attending the conference
Define for yourself what you’re hoping to get out of this experience. If your goals can only be achieved by attending this conference, that is a very strong reason to put up with the financial cost of doing so. Knowing specific goals going in will help you achieve those, and therefore feel like your money was well-spent when it’s over.
If you make the decision to go, buy your tickets early!
The earlier you buy your conference registration, reserve your accommodation, and buy your train/plane ticket the cheaper it will all be. Remember that most conferences offer cheaper ‘early-bird’ registration for those that sign up early on.
How do you talk to people at the conference?
You’ve just listened to the senior author of all the papers you’ve been reading give a fantastic presentation to a packed room. You want to say hello but not sure how they’ll react – don’t worry! This is a natural feeling to have and I’ve been in the same position many times. Just know that presenters expect this.
What is an academic conference?
So now, just what is an academic conference? A conference is a gathering of researchers and/or professionals in a given field wherein scholars present their ideas and engage in discussion and critical interaction with other experts and peers.
Why are academic conferences important?
Image Source. Academic conferences, as important and enriching as they are for discovering new ideas, making personal connections, and presenting one’s research , can present real challenges when it comes to the logistics of simply getting to them.
How to overcome PhD anxiety?
Even better, ask friends within your program or within your field to go with you. Professors and mentors attending a conference with you can also be very powerful supports for managing and overcoming your anxieties. Often, in good PhD programs professors will encourage students to attend and present at conferences they themselves will participate in. In many cases, professors and directors of PhD programs will even help students in organizing their travel and lodging arrangements and remain available throughout the conference to provide support and guidance. After all, professors have a vested interest in the success of their students, and the success of their students reflects upon both their own research and the quality of their PhD program. Excellent PhD student presenters reflect an excellent PhD program, which means greater notoriety and prestige to both professors and the programs where they teach.
Why should PhD students attend conferences?
A final reason why PhD students should go to academic conferences is because their own interests and research will be reinvigorated! The change of pace and scenery combined with interacting with like-minded scholars and professionals with blazing discoveries and a passion for the field can’t help but spark the scholarly excitement of any belabored doctoral student. Interacting with new ideas and vigorous discussion, debate, and dare I say, scholarly competition will fan the smolders of stagnant research into a bright flame of discovery.
Why is it important to participate in academic conferences?
This is the case even if there are difficulties and risks in scouting out and making it to those important conferences. The needed planning and extra research and work it takes make possible the many benefits that can follow from seriously engaging in an academic conference. Conferences help teach PhD students as they work towards their degrees how to put their best foot forward as they look towards their future careers.
What is the importance of attending a PhD conference?
Conference participation will also give you as a PhD student greater access, going forward in your research, to personal and scholarly resources, important individuals and topics. Listening and paying attention to other presentations will key you in on current trends and discussions. Discussion with peers and established scholars will guide you to new possibilities and discoveries as well as sharpen your perspective on where your own work fits into the field and where to look for more information.
What is the core component of an academic conference?
The core component of academic conferences is the presentation of new research in the form of papers and/or presentations. It is common for there to be major presentations by “keynote” or “plenary” speakers who are respected experts at the top of their game in the field or discipline.