What to Expect as a Presenter

Best Practices for Panels and Posters

Whether you are presenting a paper in a panel or sharing your work through a poster, our conference is designed to support you in showcasing your research, connecting with colleagues, and engaging in meaningful anthropological dialogue. 

The guidelines below outline what you can expect and how to prepare for a smooth, professional, and rewarding experience.

For Panel Presenters

Panel presentations are a core part of the conference, offering a space to share your research and engage in discussion with peers. Here’s what to expect:

Arrive Early and Check In

• Plan to arrive a few minutes before your session begins.

• Presentations should be stored on a cloud drive (such as Google Drive or OneDrive), emailed to one’s self, or, as a backup, on a removable flash drive.

• Introduce yourself to the session chair, confirm the order of presentations, and set up any technology/presentations you plan to use.

Stay Within Your Time Limit

• Most panels allot 12–15 minutes per presenter. 

• Practicing ahead of time ensures you stay on track and leave room for discussion. 

• Chairs will help keep time, but presenters are expected to be prepared and concise.

Prepare Accessible, Engaging Materials

• If using slides, keep them clear and readable. 

• Avoid overly dense text and ensure visuals are accessible to all audience members.

• Presentations should be stored on a cloud drive (such as Google Drive or OneDrive), emailed to one’s self, or, as a backup, on a removable flash drive.

Participate in Q&A

• After all presentations, the chair will facilitate discussion. Be ready to respond to questions, offer insights, and engage respectfully with fellow presenters and attendees.

Support a Collegial Atmosphere

• Panels work best when presenters listen to one another, encourage dialogue, and help create an inclusive, intellectually generous environment.

For Poster Presenters

Poster sessions are interactive spaces where attendees can explore research at their own pace and engage directly with presenters. Things to know:

Set Up Early

• Arrive before the session begins to hang your poster and arrange any supplementary materials. 

• Make sure your poster is easy to read from a distance and visually organized.

Be Ready to Discuss Your Work

• Poster sessions are conversational. 

• Attendees will approach you with questions, so be prepared to summarize your project in a clear, concise way and expand on details as needed.

Engage with a Wide Audience

• The sessions are designed for people to rotate through, so try to be mindful of being able to engage everyone who comes to your poster. 

• You may speak with students, faculty, community members, and scholars from different subfields. Tailor your explanations to different levels of familiarity with your topic.

Stay for the Full Session

Poster presenters are expected to remain with their posters for the duration of the session to ensure attendees can interact with you.

For All Attendees and Participants

Professionalism and Respect

• Our conference values constructive dialogue, inclusivity, and mutual respect. Please help maintain an environment where all participants feel welcome to share ideas.

Be Prepared for a Range of Audiences

• Anthropologists from many subfields—and at many career stages—attend this conference. Present your work in a way that is accessible, engaging, and open to interdisciplinary conversation.

Embrace the Collaborative Spirit

• Whether you are presenting or attending sessions, the conference is an opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and support one another’s scholarship.