Academic conferences provide excellent networking opportunities for scientists, students, and professors. These gatherings bring together a group of engaged, like-minded people, giving researchers like you a great opportunity to meet others in your field.
They also expose you to new and exciting research and trends, which can help you with your work. Follow these preparatory tips to make the most of every international academic conference you attend this year.
Be Punctual
If you are unfamiliar with the city or venue where the conference will be held, it is strongly advised that you arrive early. It will ensure you get acquainted and comfortable with the conference environment. In addition, you can get all the conference details on a reliable conference alert platform.
Do your Research
It is critical to thoroughly research an event before deciding to attend. Sign up for conference announcement website alerts for upcoming events in your field. There are numerous academic conferences to attend, and attending one related to your field of interest is usually a good idea.
However, if you want to present, ensure the topic discussed at the event matches your research before applying. You will greatly improve your chances of accepting your paper if you present it in a way that complements the event’s overall theme.
Get Familiar with the Presenters
Once you’ve decided to attend an event, review the conference agenda and select the presentations that pique your interest. Get to know the associated researchers by reading about their past and present work. When you see them at the event, approach them and introduce yourself.
Your prior research will provide excellent conversation starters, allowing you to make valuable connections. Meeting new people is one of the most valuable aspects of attending an academic conference. There’s a good chance these researchers with similar interests would welcome the chance to network with you.
Your Day should be Balanced.
Agendas for conferences are available online ahead of time. Take the time to review who will be speaking on which topics and when, and make a list of the sessions you must attend. Public hearings, panels, and keynote sessions are common features of academic conferences.
There is much information at these events, so plan which sessions you want to attend beforehand.
While it may be tempting to attend only keynote sessions and learn from the big names on the organizing ticket, there are advantages to attending various session types. Don’t be afraid to attend plenary sessions unrelated to your field.
Practice your Elevator Pitch
It is a tip that applies to both conference newcomers and seasoned attendees. At various points, people will ask you what your research is, what university you attend, and a variety of other questions that boil down to, “so, what are you doing here?” If you’re a seasoned researcher, the trick is ignoring lengthy answers during this time. Instead, you should present information in a crisp, catchy format to spark a conversation.
However, if you’re new to academia, the best approach is to respond honestly, stating (briefly) where you are in your academic career and which university you attend. You’ve given the other person something to talk about and demonstrated that as young as you are, you’re here for a reason, and you know what you’re talking about.
Ask Questions
You may be nervous when the opportunity to ask questions arises because you are new to academic conferences. Don’t be – it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn more directly from the experts. You might be afraid to ask a question that reveals ignorance or sounds off-topic. However, if you’ve studied the subject, you’re unlikely to embarrass yourself.
You probably already know what constitutes a good or bad question because you’ve sat in lecture halls and cringed at others asking them. For example, if the question is too long to fit in a tweet, it should be saved for an email. Don’t ask questions intended to trip the speaker up; instead, ask questions directly related to their presentation and to which you genuinely want to know the answer.
Subscribe to All Conference Alert Platforms
Subscribing to reliable All Conference Alert platforms can help you prepare for your academic event immensely. The best part is that you can get all the event details with a click on your screen. In addition, you can gather important information about the organizers, presenters, speakers, venue, and subject from this platform. All these things can help strengthen your preparation for your much-awaited academic event.
Follow Up on your Connections
You can network all you want, but it’s pointless if you don’t follow up on the connections you make. For example, if someone requests that you email them about something, please do so! If you collect business cards, make a point of adding those people to your social media platforms. Contact them if you have a compelling reason to do so.
Bottom Line
So, it was all about preparing for your upcoming international academic conference. Consider every international event as a one-time opportunity. Therefore, don’t leave any stone unturned to make the most of it. These preparation tips will ensure you present and learn your best during academic conferences.
