Ulster American Heritage Symposium

 

Guidelines for Speakers and Presenters

These guidelines have been put together for the benefit of speakers.  We hope that the Symposium will be a lively and exciting platform for discussion and debate.  We are keen to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to share their research and take questions from delegates and we would ask all speakers to familiarize themselves with these guidelines in advance.

In order to manage the conference efficiently and to ensure that each speaker gets their full allotted time, it is important that sessions start and finish on time and that no speaker, however eloquent, overruns and takes time away from someone else.

 

1. General

Attendance at the Conference

If for any reason you are unable to attend the conference, please do let us know!  It is particularly frustrating for both the organisers, delegates at the conference, and your fellow panellists if you simply do not show up! So please keep us informed if you have any unforeseen delays, or if you are unable to attend. Please email or call us immediately if your plans change for any reason.

 

Registration

Please register on arrival at the conference.  You can register on Wednesday at the Symposium Reception or at the start of each day.   At Registration you should have your presentation available on a memory stick (jump drive) or CD for uploading.  All presentations will be uploaded to the computers the day before the session.  If you are arriving later, please contact us to make alternative arrangements. 

 

After registration

Please make yourself known to the Chair of your session early in the Symposium.

You should also make arrangements to familiarise yourself with the room and the equipment at the first opportunity, and to check that everything works.

 

2. Paper & Panel Guidelines

Punctuality

Punctuality is a matter of professional courtesy and it is essential for the efficient running of the programme.  Sessions will begin on time, as scheduled in the programme.  We do need the full co-operation of all speakers.  Speakers and Panel Chairs should arrive at least 10 minutes early, to meet the panel and to  prepare any equipment.

 

Sessions

• All sessions will be chaired. Chairs are there to facilitate the running of a panel.
• Speakers should provide Chairs with a short biographical note and any pertinent information to be included in the introduction.
• Speakers at the parallel sessions should speak for no longer than 20 minutes.  You are advised to time your paper to ensure that you can deliver it in the time available. 
• Your chair will let you know when you are running out of time.  Please co-operate and wind up once you have been given the signal to do so.

 

Visuals

If you wish to use visual aids (such as PowerPoint) or provide handouts please follow the technical guidelines in the accompanying web page ICT for Speakers.  Please complete the form provided to book the equipment you wish to use.

Please remember when getting your presentation together

• Projected text and images should be readable from 6 to 15 feet away from the screen
• Make sure your images are as clear as possible.

 

Discussion and Questions

Discussion periods are designed for clarification of points made in your paper or to draw connections between the papers in the session.  

• The question-answer session lasts for no longer than 5 minutes per speaker.
• In consultation with those speaking, Chairs may decide to have the papers one after the other, and hold all questions over until the end.
• If there are too many questions for the time available, discussion can continue during breaks in the programme.