Preparing for Your First Conference

Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss all steps necessary to prepare for your first conference. The first topic deals with selecting a conference and provides guidance on how to find a suitable venue for presenting your work for the first time. Then, we explore the possible topics for a conference paper. Based on the preliminary work you have ready, a number of topics can be suitable for a conference that later on will lead to a journal publication or dissertation chapter. The type of paper to present, as well as the topic, are closely related to the audience of the selected conference. Subsequently, we discuss the different steps to take into account when planning towards a conference, and the total time you should put in your planning when you decide to attend a conference. This scheme looks at all the steps you go through from finding a suitable conference to feeling tired and needing a bit of time after a conference to recover from the trip. Finally, we look at how you can get most out of a conference by preparing well. You might want to get in touch with someone working in your field prior to the conference, so that you can build up your network. We also discuss self-care during a conference.