Attending Conferences

Abstract

The thought of volunteering to deliver an in-depth presentation before a couple dozen experts in your field may horrify you, but attending conferences is one of the routine activities of humanities scholars. The actual usefulness of conferences is a more controversial issue. Personally, I am of the viewpoint that well-used conferences can positively transform one’s research and even one’s career. Nonetheless, in this chapter I will try to show you both sides of the picture. Among the other subjects I will discuss are the following:

• Using oral reports as practice for conferences

• Finding the right conference

• Contacting a conference organizer

• Writing a lively presentation

• Networking

• Conferencing as job market preparation