These slides are for a talk that I give at Macquarie University. The offer advice for presenting an academic paper and getting the most out of academic conferences, including preparing slides, basic guidelines for presenting, and taking advantage of opportunities at conferences.

1. A Sane Approach to Presenting at Conferences
Greg Downey
Anthropology
Photo by: sean dreilinger durak.org CC (BY NC SA)

2. 2
to presenting at conferences
Greg Downey
Associate Professor of Anthropology
http://blogs.plos.org/neuroanthropology
greg.downey@mq.edu.au
a sane approach...

4. Your first
conference paper...What’s my motivation?

5. strength
Golden rule #1:
Icon by Scott Lewis of the Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
Present from
insecurity.
not from

6. Communicating
your research
• Understand your
audience & objectives
(e.g., job talk).
• Have a cocktail party
version of research
concepts.
• Don’t over-prepare (time
limit, pages, calendar).
• REHEARSE!
Photo by ‘Nomadic Lass’ Flickr CC (BY SA)

7. limit.Icon by Martha Omiston of the Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
Golden rule #2:
Respect
your time

8. A talk is not a paper...
•Oral English is not the
same as written.
•Density.
•Papers need
foreshadowing & direct
statement.
•Some great papers are
terrible presentations.
•SEND TO DISCUSSANT!
Photo by ‘FleeCircus’ Flickr CC (BY SA NC)

9. rehearse
writing.
rehearsing,
(I mean it…)
less time
more time

10. Startby engaging us,
Golden rule #3:
Icon by Istiko Rahadi of the Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
keepengaging us.

11. <learn how to use the ‘b’ key to
turn off your slides. That puts
attention back on you rather than
making you fight your slides.>

12. Structuring
•tight-loose-TIGHT.
•1 page = 2 minutes.
•NO WARM UP.
Clock is ticking.
•Good data or example
better than
comprehensiveness.
•Knock-out conclusion
page & 2 min. warning.
Photo by Thomas Lieser Flickr CC (BY SA NC)

13. Presentation
style.

14. Style counts.
• Note carefully the expectations of your
field. Copy them (handouts, pre-
circulation…).
• Don’t postpone your talk.
• Self reference often unnecessary.
• Self effacement boring.
• Never apologise for sharing.

15. • Read papers can sound read.
• Informality can be unprofessional.
• Rehearsal allows you to connect better.
• Hierarchy essential for listening.
• Get over lame presentation style.
Style counts.

16. Icon by Lissette Arias of the Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
speak.
Write to

17. ‘P.M.U.’
Photo by Thomas Lieser Flickr CC (BY SA NC)
•Presentation Mark-Up.
•Arm’s length visible.
•Oral language.
•Relax (breathing,
grounded, shoulders).
•Present your most
exciting material.
•Smile!

18. Slides

19. teleprompter.
Golden rule #4:
Icon by John Ceserta of the Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
Slides
are not a

21. Golden rule #4a:(corollary)
Icon adapted from Hakan Yalcin and Pham Thi Dieu Linh of the Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
Controlyour slides or
they will
control your talk.

22. worse
no slides.
Bad slides are
than no slides...
... and be ready for

29. • 30 words or less.
• Slides v presenter.
• Avoid too much animation!
• Support for multi-lingual audience.
• Visibility crucial.
• Slides are not a paper (hand outs).
Slide rules.

30. • Talking to slides COUNTS toward time.
Complex visuals slow you down.
• No ‘free time’. No pointless slides.
• Quotes & visuals most important.
Slide rules.
(NOTE: THIS PRESENTATION IS BAD
EXAMPLE FOR CONFERENCE PAPER.)

31. Your slides
Meta-rule
your talk.
are not

32. Going out strong:
how to end.
‘this talk has
no conclusion.’
never
Icon by Andrew J. Young of the Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

33. When you finish...
•Tendency to relax, take
deep breath & miss the
next minute...
•Think out loud.
•Keep answers short.
•NEVER interrupt or be
rude to questioners.
•NO need to be
defensive.

34. Greg Downey
http://blogs.plos.org/neuroanthropology
greg.downey@mq.edu.au
photos and video by Greg Downey
34
Thanks for your
attention!
Final business
card-like slide.

35. Consciously
learn from the best;
don’t unconsciously
copy the worst.
Meta-rule

36. • Continue to participate (e.g., Twitter).
• Dress for endurance.
• Meet people (come prepared & plan).
• Visit book displays.
• Plan logistics to maximise effect
(staying, finances).
After you present.
http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/how-to-hack-a-conference-
aka-attend-one-productively/22891

37. Transition to
professional presenter
•Find your style — role
models, actively improve.
•Set clear goals.
•Fit method to goal.
•Present small number of
big ideas (2 or 3).
Share point in clearest
language possible.
•Use your own passion &
talk to the most engaged.

38. Big
wrap-up
In three short slides...
Icon by Tracy Hudak of the Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

39. Do well, to become
confident.
Reversal of cause and
effect

40. Be generous to
inspire generosity.

41. It’s all about
communication.
All rules made to be
broken...

42. questions?
Icon by Krisada of the Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

43. Greg Downey
http://blogs.plos.org/neuroanthropology
greg.downey@mq.edu.au
photos and video by Greg Downey
43
Thanks for your
attention!