I Presented a Big Conference Paper | Experience & Advice

TL;DR

Sharing my experience of presenting a conference paper for the first time and the valuable lessons I learned.

Transcript

hi guys so I'm here today to talk to you about presenting a conference paper so a few days ago I gave my first big paper at a conference and I wanted to share that experience with you and what it was like for me and perhaps any takeaways I have from it so in the past I have presented talks papers whatever you want to call them we had to practice a ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎁 Attending conferences before presenting can help alleviate anxiety and provide insight into expectations.
• 💦 Adapting existing research into a conference paper can complement thesis work and aid in clarifying ideas.
• 🎁 Nervousness is common even among experienced presenters, and presenting a paper is an opportunity for growth and feedback.
• 📽️ Embracing nerves and projecting confidence, even if it feels forced, can positively impact the presentation.
• 🏮 The Q&A session offers a chance for valuable discussions, feedback, and clarification on aspects not covered in the paper.
• 🤗 Being open to questions and admitting uncertainties is acceptable and sparks further engagement.
• 📞 Receiving positive feedback and support from peers and supervisors enhances confidence and motivation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did you prepare for your conference paper presentation?

I started by submitting an abstract and then wrote the paper using existing research I had already conducted. I practiced by myself and with others, including fellow PhD students and a friend who studied classics.

Q: Were there any challenges you faced during the conference?

The build-up to writing the paper was more anxiety-ridden than actually writing it. However, I felt confident in my research and ideas, which helped me handle nerves. Some questions during the Q&A session were challenging, but I remained professional and focused on my research.

Q: Did you receive any feedback or support?

My supervisors read my paper and provided helpful feedback, which boosted my confidence. Additionally, the chair of the panel helped structure the discussion during the Q&A session.

Q: How did you handle questions you couldn't answer?

It's okay to admit that you haven't thought about certain aspects or do not have an immediate answer. Take note of the question and be open to further discussion. The ideal situation is when the chair of the panel helps control the discussion and redirects irrelevant questions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker shares their personal experience of presenting a conference paper, from previous practice sessions in their Master's program to their first proper conference paper during their PhD.

• They discuss the process of submitting an abstract, preparing the paper, and practicing the presentation.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of confidence, embracing nerves, and being open to questions and feedback.