Resources about presenting

Virtual conferences and meetings are not a new phenomenon, and some of us were already familiar with sharing and discussing our research this way before the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellations or postponements of in-person events or shifts to virtual events. Still, a great many of us have recently had to take crash courses in learning how to use various video conferencing platforms and tools in order to prepare and give presentations at virtual events.

Presenting at a prestigious conference is a good way to share your research and raise your profile in the academic community. But there is a growing problem to look out for—predatory conferences. Much like predatory journals, predatory conferences seek to obtain research funds while providing little of value in return. These conferences lack rigorous academic standards and are typically poorly organized. Attending a predatory conference is a waste of research funds, and organizing one can harm your reputation.
In this article, we give an overview of legitimate and predatory conferences, followed by warning signs that a conference or conference organizer might be predatory.

During Q&A, do you worry about being able to answer all of the audience's questions about your research with confidence and professionalism? If so, you're definitely not alone. Even experienced presenters can feel nervous about handling the Q&A session well—it's not always possible to anticipate the questions that will be asked or the direction that Q&A will take.

I've already written about the nuts and bolts of putting together the material for an effective presentation; you can find my guide here. But what about dealing with the practicalities of actually standing up and presenting the material that you've created?

Presenting our research is a vital part of professional life. Presentations are a great way for us to speak directly to our peers, gather ideas to push projects forward, and make valuable personal connections. This month's article gives 5 key tips to help you prepare effective spoken presentations and capitalize on the opportunities that giving talks provides. Also, try our free learning module and quiz on English phrases we naturally say aloud in presentations.