1. Conference Basics And Networking
ACES – Week 4
Conference Basics
And Networking

2. What is an academic conference?
A gathering of people to discuss and present the latest research and ideas in a particular field of study.
It can be large or small. It can be a very focused or more general.
There are two types of tracks at a conference: single and multiple.
Single = one speaker at a time
Multiple = many speakers to choose from for each time period.

3. How can you find an academic conference in your field?
Library
Professors and Advisors
Online search engines
Online databases and list serves
Message or Information Boards
Magazines, Newspapers, or Journals
Word of mouth (friends, class mates)
Finding Conferences

4. Two types of participants:
Attendee – someone who attends or goes to a conference. This person attends different presentations and talks. This person may go to find a job, network, or observe conference practices.
Presenter – someone who presents or speaks at a conference. This person shares his/her research with others. A presenter can also be an attendee.

5. Why should you attend an academic conference?
Learn about new information and research in your field.
Learn about fields related to (but different from) your own field.
Learn hot topics – the most important topics being researched
Share and exchange ideas with others
Meet or listen to famous speakers or researches
Find funding, a publisher, a mentor, a new employer, or a new collaborator.
NETWORK

6. Networking – meeting others
Where can you meet people at a conference?
Talks or Presentations
While standing in line
At conference meals
In the conference hotel
In the hallway
In the lounge
In the elevator
(Everywhere)

7. If the person is an attendee, start with a basic introduction.
Introductions
If the person is an attendee, start with a basic introduction.
If the person is a potential employer, presenter, conference committee member, use your professional introduction.

8. Interaction Exchange Business Cards:
Have one side in English and the other in Chinese
Exchange addresses: your should be professional such as:
It should be memorable
Arrange to meet for lunch or a different presentation
Meet in the evening for drinks

9. How do you approach others?
Look professional
Dress in business attire, even if you are only an attendee.
Wear a watch.
Don't use your cell phone during talks/presentations
Take notes
Giving others a positive impression will make you more approachable.

10. Never interrupt someone.
Be Confident – walk up to people and introduce yourself. Do it if people are alone or don't look busy.
Never interrupt someone.
After a talk, you might strike up a conversation by asking the people near you, “What did you think of the speaker?” You can introduce yourself later.
Introducing yourself

11. “You're from SWUST? Do you know Professor Emory?”
If a person is wearing a name badge and you recognize their company or school, you might ask if they know a mutual acquaintance.
“You're from SWUST? Do you know Professor Emory?”
After they answer, you can ask them a question like, “What do you do at SWUST?”
Asking people to talk about their position or research is a great way to get to know someone.

12. Read any information about the conference before going.
PREPARE
Read any information about the conference before going.
If it lists important speakers, read articles by them, read their biographies on the conference website or in the conference book, and know what they research.
If the conference is about a field or subject that is not your focus, read some articles in that field before attending.

13. Sponsors Look on the conference website for sponsors.
Read information about those companies before attending.
Often sponsors are on the look out for new talent or potential employees.

14. Business Cards Introduce yourself to as many people as possible.
However, only give your business cards to people who you plan on keeping in touch with.
If someone offers you a business card, offer them one in return.
If you have a meal or drinks with someone, be sure to offer a business card.

15. Give Yourself a Goal
Give yourself a specific goal for networking at a conference:
“I plan on meeting five people who work for other engineering firms. I want to ask them about their employers.”
“I plan on talking to three graduate students whom also study Chinese Marxism at other universities.”
(source)

16. At a conference, you should take notes.
The notes can be about the talks, but you should also consider taking notes about the people you meet.
After you have a conversation, it is a good idea to jot down the topic of the conversation, the person's name, their opinion, or any questions they asked you.
You meet a lot of people at a conference, it is important to remember who you have spoken with.

17. KIT (Keep in Touch) Email:
Send contacts short s after the conference. Remind them of your name, where you work or study, and your research goals.
If you took notes, mention parts of your conversation, or answer a question they asked you.
Ask them if they had a safe journey home, or if they enjoyed the remainder of the conference.
Inform them that you enjoyed speaking with them.

18. KIT: Post cards A post card is an interesting way to keep in touch.
If you live far away from many people you've met, sending them a post card from your city or region is an interesting way to keep in touch.
Again, briefly remind them of your conversation and express pleasure at speaking with them.
This is a memorable way to keep in contact with someone.

19. KIT (Letters)
Letters can be used if someone asked for more information about something and you want to include something extra like a brochure, pamphlet, resume, or your own article or paper.

20. KIT (List serves)
Often, fellow scholars will mention a professional or research based list serve.
Sign up for the list serve to keep informed of new research, calls for papers, and conferences.
If it is for your specific field, send out an introduction to everyone.
If it isn't closely related to your research, you can “lurk” on the list, only sending messages when they are about what you study. Again, preface this with an introduction of who you are and what you study.

21. Don't be afraid to use contacts!
If you have met someone at a conference – keep in touch!
Don't be shy about contacting that person if you think they will be helpful.
For example, if you are planning on visiting a university and you met someone from there at a conference, contact them.

22.
(date)
Dear NAME,
My name is Sarah Emory, and we met at the SWUST Humanities Conference in April We sat next to each other in Judith Butler's talk.
I will be visiting your university on June If you are free, I would love to meet with you for coffee or lunch. I really enjoyed our conversation about (Topic) and hope to see you.
Sincerely,
Sarah Emory
(phone number)
( address)
(Business address)

23. Engrade All class information is posted on www.engrade.com
If you have not signed up for engrade, you should do so today.
You can look at basic files at:
I sent out invites on Friday. If you did not receive your invite, send me an with your name, student number, and class number. I will contact you with your registration info.

24. Research Do some research on conferences in your field.
Find two conferences happening within the next 12 months that you would benefit from attending.
Be prepared to talk briefly about those conferences with a group next week.
Why that conference?
How will it benefit you to attend?
Where and when is the conference being held?

25. Reading Read file: “ACES – week 4 reading.doc”
I have also posted a file called, “ACES – vocabulary”
You should look at this file.
Last, if you do not have English vocabulary to talk/write about your research, you should independently study it.