Conference presentations allow you to present your data during many stages of development, (e.g., preliminary findings, recently collected data, or data that is waiting to be published). This will allow you to present your most up-to-date findings and receive feedback from colleagues, which will help you when you ultimately write up your study. Additionally, you have the opportunity to attend numerous exciting talks and poster sessions while at the convention. As these presentations often represent the most cutting-edge research available, they can provide you with valuable information far earlier than if you had waited for the publication.

Perhaps one of the most important benefits from conference presentations is the ability to advocate for your science. Representing your field of interest allows researchers in other disciplines, policy-makers, and the public to become aware of the innovative research being generated in your particular subfield. As scientists, it is important that we share our research findings with people outside our specific discipline to increase the visibility of our research and provide interested individuals with more information.

Conferences provide a way to practice your presentation skills and can help you develop the expertise needed to discuss your research in a clear and meaningful way. Learning how to answer specific questions and present your data to a range of individuals (who may or may not be familiar with your field of research) will help you in other endeavors, including future conference presentations, masters or dissertation defenses, and classroom teaching.

When on the job market, graduate students often compete against other students for ideal jobs or post-doctoral positions. A history of conference presentations will show potential employers that you regularly disseminate your research finding to colleagues as well as keep up-to-date on the cutting-edge research of the field. Moreover, many conferences offer travel awards, which if won, can be added to your list of awards and honors. These lines on your vita may be the deciding factor between you and other potential job candidates.

The presentations that you give and attend are likely to be frequented by researchers with similar interests, giving you the opportunity to discuss your research and learn valuable information from people working with similar techniques, populations, or statistics. Establishing contacts with other scientists will foster friendships with motivated researchers who can be resources for you at any stage of your career. An additional advantage of meeting researchers with common interests is that you may be able to create contacts for future employment or post-doctoral placements, allowing you to learn of available positions sooner than those who wait for advertisements to be posted. Furthermore, making yourself recognizable to future employers can increase your likelihood of being considered for a position.

http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2007/11/student-council-1.aspx

· Do you agree or disagree with the presented essential reasons why it is important for you to participate in conferences?

Exercise 1.2. Look at the typical conference program. Which paragraphs below (1-4) explain:

o social events

o plenary sessions

o registration

o parallel sessions

1 where you pay or confirm payment of the registration fee, and in return receive a badge identifying you as participant, plus documentation such as the latest program, invitations to social events, etc.

2 general opening and closing of the conference, panel discussions, and talks by "invited" speakers, i.e. renowned experts in their field, whose costs are paid by the organizers.

3 more specialized sessions with "contributing" speakers (selected on the basis of submissions, and having to pay to participate), that take place simultaneously in different rooms. Often such sessions are organized by their chairperson independently of the main conference committee, who is responsible for the focus and the selection of contributors. Smaller conferences (workshops) may not have parallel sessions.

4 coffee breaks, lunches, receptions, conference dinner, excursions, etc.

Exercise 1.3. Matchthe following conference terms in A with their definitions in B .