Attending Your First Academic Conference

Attending an academic conference is exciting, but it can also be intimidating. This page will help you understand what to expect and how to navigate the event professionally. Whether you’re presenting your research or attending to learn and network, these tips will ensure you make the most of your experience.

What to Expect at an Academic Conference

Conferences commonly include the following types of events, which are included in your conference registration fee:

Registration: Before you attend any events, you’ll need to check in at the registration desk. You’ll receive a nametag or badge, which grants you access to conference events. You may also receive tickets for some meals that are included in the conference. Don’t lose those!
Conference Program/Schedule: Most conferences use apps to provide online access to the schedule. You should receive emails with instructions in advance, and will need to set up an account and download the app. Then you can look at the schedule for each day to see what events you’d like to attend and where they’re located.
Keynote Speeches: Prominent experts share their knowledge on important topics in the field.
Panel Discussions: Groups of experts discuss specific subjects.
Paper Presentations: Researchers present their work in scheduled sessions.
Workshops: Interactive sessions to develop specific skills or discuss research techniques.
Networking Events: Opportunities to meet peers, researchers, and other professionals.
Meals: Some meals, especially breakfast and lunch, are included as part of your registration. The conference program will tell you which meals are included.

Preparing Your Presentation

Writing a presentation to be spoken out loud is a bit different than writing a paper that someone will read quietly. Think about where you want to add emphasis and how to modulate your voice so the presentation is engaging. Practice your presentation in advance to be sure you meet the time limits and to become familiar with the content. Ideally, you want to be able to speak using note cards or referring to your slides, not reading directly off a written script. Make eye contact with the audience while you talk.

Most presentations include PowerPoints or other slides. Think carefully about the design of your slides. There are lots of resources about best practices in slide design and formatting. Try reading this presentation or watching the video below for some great tips!

You can also visit Nevada State’s Writing Center for help.

If you have a slide clicker, be sure to pack it. They make it much easier to talk while you advance your slides. Practice with it in advance, and be sure it has fresh batteries!

Saving Your Slide Presentation

It’s a good idea to take a copy of your presentation on a flash drive and to save another copy where you can quickly access it online if needed. If you’re trying to present from your laptop, be sure you have all necessary dongles, connecters, and chargers, but have a back-up plan to access your slides in case you encounter technical issues trying to connect your laptop (it happens a lot!).

Posters

If you’re presenting a poster, you have limited space, so think carefully about the most important information for your audience. Use visuals (such as charts and graphs) to display data in a concise, easy-to-understand way. This document provides excellent tips on creating and presenting posters. Plan ahead so you have plenty of time to get your poster printed before the conference.

Cite Your Sources

Whether you’re using slides or a poster, be sure you cite the research you refer to appropriately:

Put all direct quotations of someone’s exact words in quotation marks;
Use the correct citation style for your discipline (APA, MLA, and Chicago are common styles);
Use in-text citations to note the source of information you refer to in a slide, paper, or the text of your poster;
Include a references list at the end with the full citation information for all sources you used. Each item included in your references list should be cited somewhere in your presentation or poster.

Need help? Visit the Writing Center for guidance on your discipline’s preferred citation style. There are also many free online resource guides available, such as Purdue’s OWL site.

What to Wear

For most academic conferences, business casual clothing is acceptable. Here are some examples:

Slacks, khakis, chinos, skirts or dresses that are at least knee-length
Button-down shirts, blouses, sweaters, polo shirts
Closed-toe shoes, such as loafers, Oxfords, boots, pumps, or flats (you often walk a lot at conferences, so be sure they’re comfortable!)

You don’t have to wear a blazer or cardigan, but it’s fine if you do. Ties aren’t necessary either.

Avoid casual clothing (such as t-shirts, sneakers, very short/tight clothing, hoodies, tank tops, low-cut shirts or dresses), clothing with distracting or potentially inappropriate graphics or logos, or anything torn or ripped. If you aren’t sure what to wear, talk to a faculty member or stop by Nevada State’s Career Services Center for advice! Check the CSC’s calendar to see when they’re offering pop-up events, which include free career clothing and free haircuts. They also occasionally have discount coupons for clothing at JC Penney.

You may want to pack more comfortable or casual clothing for sightseeing in the area when you aren’t at conference sessions. And think about the weather, especially if you’re going to a conference in winter—you may need warmer clothing than we typically wear in Vegas!

Behave Professionally

While you’re at the conference, conduct yourself in a way that will reflect well on you and on Nevada State University. You never know who you will meet; they might be on a future hiring committee or graduate school admissions committee.

Be sure to arrive before a session starts, whether you’re presenting or attending as an audience member. Arriving before the session starts shows respect for the speakers and gives you time to set up your presentation. Conference hotels or centers can be large and items may be scheduled on multiple floors, so give yourself plenty of time to find each location.

If you’re presenting, stay within your time limit, so you don’t take up time from other speakers.

Networking events may include happy hours where alcoholic drinks are available. Be aware of your limits and stay within them. You don’t want to have your judgement impaired and act in a way that is embarrassing or offensive…and likely to be remembered by other people.

If you decide to post to social media using the conference’s hashtags, or replying to the conference accounts, remember that other conference attendees will see what you post.

Tips for Maximizing Your Conference Experience

Plan Your Schedule: Review the conference program in advance and plan which sessions you want to attend.
Stay Updated: Follow the conference’s social media accounts for any updates or changes in the schedule.
Networking: Introduce yourself to other attendees, exchange contact information, and discuss common interests. Don’t just talk to other people from Nevada State—meet some new people!
The Chronicle of Higher Education provides more tips on making the most of attending a conference.