Presenting at a convention, both orally or through poster, is usually a daunting prospect. That is usually doubly so for college kids with fewer conferences below their belts, though I guarantee you that the concern by no means fades fully! Having (comparatively) lately joined the ranks of the postdocs and introduced my first post-PhD work at a convention (the British Ecological Society 2023 assembly), I used to be provided the chance to behave as a decide for a number of the entrants to the scholar poster and oral presentation prizes. Due to this fact, I can share with you a glimpse of my expertise from the ‘different aspect’ of conferencing, and a few extra basic tricks to get probably the most out of the expertise.
The very first thing to notice on the prize judging aspect, is that the competitors was immense in each classes. BES is a large convention, with 11 concurrent oral presentation periods over three days, and two poster periods of roughly 200 posters every evening. To not point out the tons of of further on-line talks and posters that had been submitted as a part of the now (post-covid) hybrid convention – and that is the case throughout most conferences as of late. I spotlight this to reveal that even when your poster is faultless, the very best one you’ve ever made, there could also be many different equally wonderful posters that preserve you from the highest spot. However don’t be discouraged! Lacking out on the prize doesn’t imply that you just efforts have gone to waste. Striving to supply the right poster or presentation means that you’re speaking your analysis extra clearly and honing the talents that you’ll use for the remainder of your careers – both inside or outdoors of academia.
So, how is the judging carried out, and what are judges like me searching for? Let’s begin with oral shows. Firstly, in the event you’re fascinated by being a decide relaxation assured that the organisers are completely satisfied to assign you talks that work round your personal presenting/attending schedule. I used to be in a position to decide on occasions I wasn’t accessible, then provided with a listing of shows to watch, and a type of marking scheme by which to evaluate them. Oral shows had been judged out of ten in 4 standards: type, content material, originality (new contribution to scientific data), and response to questions.
From the highest, which means that I used to be searching for a properly organised presentation supported by related figures/illustrations that’s introduced at a great tempo. Most non-plenary talks at a convention are going to be quick – 12-Quarter-hour probably, with one other 3-5 minutes for questions. It’s nearly unattainable to incorporate all your fabulous analysis on this time with out racing via, which isn’t enjoyable for you or the viewers. Typically you should be ruthless when slicing down your speak – don’t delete these slides without end however preserve them in reserve after your acknowledgements slide in case anybody asks a related query. There’s all the time room for a Blue Peter second! When presenting, don’t be afraid of the odd pause. As a viewer it may be helpful to take that point to digest the earlier information. It’s additionally vital to face your viewers and mission. I’m certain we’ve all skilled a convention speak or lecture the place the presenter half faces the board always. Don’t be that particular person.
The final merchandise on the record – response to questions – might be notably difficult to college students and is the place I noticed a number of presenters falter. The primary criterion for answering questions is ‘concise and knowledgeable’, which principally means know what you’re speaking about and don’t ramble. If you happen to’re undecided precisely what the query is asking it’s fully okay to ask for clarification – some folks within the viewers aren’t good at framing their questions clearly, and I positively wouldn’t maintain that towards you as a decide.
Let’s transfer on to posters, that are my favorite little bit of any convention. Oral shows are all properly and good, however for me nothing beats having a great chat with a poster presenter. Even the awkward bits of poster periods, like hanging round ready to speak to somebody about their poster once they’re midway via their spiel with another person – the selection to both sneak in and get half of the story or attempt to circle again later solely to search out that they’re speaking to another person now – are all a part of the enjoyable. This time as a decide, I used to be searching for posters with a novel and vital scientific query that absolutely convey the analysis subject, together with the background of the mission. On the visible entrance, good visible impression was described as ‘a fascinating inventive format with good, related illustrations’, with most impression together with ‘extremely unique paintings and format’. Now this doesn’t imply that you just really want to incorporate handmade paintings (though I did see some unbelievable frog drawings). Examples of fine poster designs embrace colors which catch your eye from throughout the room, however don’t conflict or distract from the science. Conceptual illustrations for strategies within the place of enormous quantities of textual content and easy figures that you just don’t must be inches away from to learn the axis labels.
The perfect piece of recommendation that I can provide for bettering your poster design, is to attend conferences and search for poster designs that you just do or don’t actually like. What makes you suppose ‘wow, that appears fascinating’? Ask the presenter in the event you can take an image of their poster – most shall be completely proud of this, particularly if it’s to your personal use and never going to be shared anyplace. This fashion you’ll be able to slowly construct up a ‘reference library’ of poster designs and layouts that you just actually suppose work and had been clear and straightforward to comply with. You are able to do the identical with oral shows, though that is truly simpler with hybrid or on-line shows the place you’ll be able to seize a screenshot and add it to your library. Consider this as a literature evaluation on presenting/design kinds.
In addition to studying all of those helpful suggestions for my very own future presenting, there have been a number of surprising advantages to collaborating as a decide. The largest is that I used to be pressured to go to posters or presentation periods that I in any other case wouldn’t have greater than glanced at. BES covers all the pieces ‘Ecology’, and I normally find yourself focussing on periods which might be straight related to me – illness ecology, inhabitants ecology, mathematical strategies. This time, I discovered all about mistletoe distribution within the UK, and the endophyte communities of carnivorous crops. Collaborating on this approach positively expanded my scientific horizons and was quite a lot of enjoyable as properly.
If you happen to’re feeling hesitant about placing your self ahead for a pupil poster or presentation prize or becoming a member of in as a decide, I say go for it – there’s nothing to lose.
Characteristic picture: AI picture generated in Canva.
Weblog submit by Megan Griffiths.
