Presenter and Chair Guidelines

Each conference session lasts 90 minutes. For regular panel sessions (not roundtables or workshops), individual papers should be a maximum of 15 minutes long, in order to allow time for questions and discussion. We ask that presenters bear this in mind when preparing their papers.

All rooms have AV equipment and have login details available. We strongly recommend that you bring any presentation files (PowerPoint, etc.) on a USB device.

It is the responsibility of the panel chair to monitor timekeeping. Where a panel chair has not been indicated in the programme, we invite the first listed panellist to act as chair (or another panellist by mutual agreement).

Guidelines for panel chairs:

As a panel chair, you play an important role in creating an environment of respect, inclusion, and constructive academic exchange, in accordance with SLAS policy and principles.

You may wish to begin the session by briefly outlining expectations for respectful and inclusive discussion and encouraging open, constructive dialogue while ensuring all contributions are treated with respect.
When moderating the discussion, please ensure all speakers receive equal time and opportunity to present their work; be attentive to imbalances in participation and if needed, remind participants of SLAS’s principles of respectful engagement.
If a participant engages in discriminatory language, harassment, or bullying, intervene as chair and consider pausing the discussion or consult with conference organisers. Concerns may be reported to the conference organisers or the SLAS Committee.