Attending my first conference

Cat Melodeon

I'll shortly be attending my first academic conference where I'll be giving a poster presentation based on my MA thesis. As I've never even been to a conference before, I'm a bit apprehensive. It's over 2 years since I did my MA and I'm a bit rusty on the whole public speaking thing. Granted the presentation will only be 3 mins with 2 for questions, but it might as well be an hour long Stasi interrogation, I'm so nervous. It's been a bit short notice so my MA supervisor hasn't had a chance to get back to me about it at all (I've named them as co-author though). I've had feedback on the poster itself from a PhD friend of mine who has been to many of these things so I'm happy enough with that, it's just I can't visualise myself doing this at all.

I'll at least get to see others give presentations first, mine is on day 2.
Any tips for a first-timer? Any etiquette I might be breaking re my supervisor?

Ostrom

Etiquette regarding citing them as co-author? I'm not sure I understand why you would do this as it is your thesis?

On the public speaking - just remember that you have a specialist knowledge of your subject the most of the others wont. Difficult questions, I have found are rare (at least the bitter type , and most will be there with a genuine interest (i.e. not looking to catch you out).

Be honest if you dont have an answer, and try not to read from a script if possible.

Cat Melodeon

Thanks efla. I was told by a PhD student that it is standard practise to name your supervisor as a co-author on any papers, publications etc arising from the thesis as they edit drafts, make suggestions, guide the research etc. Granted that student is in a different discipline (psychology), is it not the case for other social sciences?

At this point I'm hoping I won't need to read the presentation out. I've even been dreaming about the damned thing and have phrases from it going around my head like an annoying pop song. I'm taking that as a good sign!

Ostrom

Cat Melodeon wrote: »

Thanks efla. I was told by a PhD student that it is standard practise to name your supervisor as a co-author on any papers, publications etc arising from the thesis as they edit drafts, make suggestions, guide the research etc. Granted that student is in a different discipline (psychology), is it not the case for other social sciences?

At this point I'm hoping I won't need to read the presentation out. I've even been dreaming about the damned thing and have phrases from it going around my head like an annoying pop song. I'm taking that as a good sign!

That isn't very common in the social sciences (I've never heard of it). Sciences (including psychology) tend to work the other way when funding / proposing and design of project is more in the hands of the supervisor. Make sure you name yourself as sole author on your CV!!

JuliusCaesar

I'd follow the usual guidelines for authorship: only name somebody as co-author if they have made a substantial contribution to the paper.

To do otherwise is unethical, as it could be seen as ingratiating yourself with them for ulterior motives.

Did you ask your supervisor if you could put his/her name on the poster?

I think when you're doing a PhD and publishing papers, you have a great deal more input than for a MSc thesis. My MSc supervisor did not even look at a draft of my thesis - he was only there to ask verbal questions of regarding methodology etc. Actually it beat me what his function really was, as the first time he saw the work was when I submitted it.

Enjoy the conference. Most people are nice to first-timers, as we were all there once. And you are the expert on what you are presenting.

(I'm a psychologist- )

diddlybit

Hey OP.

If your MA supervisor hasn't made a substantial contribution, a small thanks or acknowldegment in your introuduction should suffice.

In regards to public speaking, I had huge problems with it myself and booked myself in for therapy before my first presentation. :eek: What I found useful was to go through the paper and anticipate any questions that would arise from it with a friend that had some knowledge of the area. With such a short paper, I think that the main ones would be just on where the resaerch will proceed to.

Most poeple are very generous in their questions, but there are occasionally people who try trip you. I've found that in general that often these people don't really have an opnion or anything substantial to say on the matter, but often want their voices heard. Don't be afraid to turn it around, and ask them to further explain themselves.

The best advice I got from the therapist:

She: What's teh worst thing that could happen?
Me: That I don't know an answer to a question?
She: What could you do in that situation?
Me: Admit that I don't know.
She: Are you expected to know everything?
Me: No
She: Why not?
Me: I'm a Masters student and my research is on-going. Nobody can be expected to know everything about a certain field
She: It's not really all that bad so?
Me: No:o