The format usually involves graduate students and academics presenting their research, work, and theories, and defending, expanding, or changing them in response to questions, criticism, and other feedback from colleagues.
Most academic conferences are centered around a single subject, and sometimes on a single topic within that subject. It may also be one of several types:Īcademic conferences. It may be held at the YMCA down the street, or in a hotel in Paris or Barcelona or San Francisco. It may be a one-time event, or a regular (usually annual) fixture on participants’ schedules. (Such conferences are often held outdoors, for instance, where weather permits.)Ī conference may last a few hours or several days. Frequently, the format of a grassroots conference is similar to that of a professional one, but less formal. Informal local conferences – like that organized by the Peterson Women’s Health Collaborative in the example at the beginning of the section – may sometimes consist entirely of discussion, but usually include some presentation of ideas or practice, at least as a springboard. Some conferences are even held in another area of the country or the world. In the cases of health and community work, conferences often have the goal of generating or working toward solutions to problems or broader social change.Ĭonferences may be held in places other than the workplaces and neighborhoods of their participants, so that the people attending can focus on the topic at hand without distractions. The Latin roots of the word “conference” mean, literally, “Bring together.” A conference brings together people and ideas. What is a conference?Ī conference is a gathering of people with a common interest or background, with the purposes of allowing them to meet one another and to learn about and discuss issues, ideas and work that focus on a topic of mutual concern.
This section of the Toolbox describes what a conference is, why and when you might want to organize one, who might do so, and how to go about it successfully. In order to be successful, a conference requires intensive time, planning, and resources. Conferences can be held on almost any topic, come in many sizes, and can be run by any number of organizations. Learn how to organize a conference that brings together people with a common interest to network and listen to presentations and ideas.Ĭonferences are used to bring together people with common interests and discuss issues and ideas relating to a specific topic.
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