Tips for presenting at a conference?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I just had a paper accepted for a panel at an academic conference. I'm incredibly excited, but also slightly daunted at the thought of presenting my research in such a formal setting. Does anyone have any advice or thoughts on the matter that would be helpful?</p>

2

<p>Practice your speech over and over again -- for timing and clarity -- in front of friends/parents or, if nothing else, a mirror. Think of (or have them think of) questions that you might be asked, to see how you would respond.
Wear a nice shirt and tie (assuming you are male).
Congratulations.</p>

3

<p>Here's a brief article with some tips that should help. It's directed toward faculty, but the same stuff applies to you.</p>

<p>The</a> Chronicle of Higher Education</p>

4

<p>This one is even better.</p>

<p>Chronicle</a> Careers: 3/21/2008</p>

5

<p>Thank you Professor X. I can't access the first one, but the second one was very insightful.</p>

6

<p>An additional question. It's going to be extremely expensive to get to the conference (it's literally around the world). Does anyone know of any grants that I could apply for to defray the cost of being able to attend the conference and present my research?</p>

7

<p>If you are a grad student, ask the DGS of your department, and also inquire of the administrative staff at the Graduate School office of your university. There are usually funds available to help defray the cost (but don't expect such an expensive trip to be entirely covered.) There are also sometimes reduced registration rates for graduate students. For that information, inquire of the conference's convening body.</p>

8

<p>If you're a member of the society that's hosting the conference, they sometimes will also give travel stipends if you have an active chapter of their society at your school.</p>

<p>A few friends and myself were able to travel for a conference in Orlando for about $50 each a few years ago (and that includes a whole day we spent at a Disney water park).</p>

9

<p>If you cannot get funding or reimbursment (in short, if you have to pay for it out of pocket), the travel expenses will be tax deductible for your 2008 returns (assuming you travel in 08). </p>

<p>I am teaching currently in the public school system (between degrees), and my school system will not cover expenses for me. I traveled to give a presentation at a conference last March; happily, since it came out of my own pocket, it is all tax deductible.</p>