1. Developing successful conference papers – the dos and don’ts www.seda.ac.uk

2. Event title and key themes agreed Call for papers published with clear guidance on what we want – using a template Committee meets and reviews the abstracts – which best reflect the themes, seem robust and interesting Decisions made and feedbacks sent to applicants Changes requested – e.g. need more references to work in this area, make it more interactive Revised abstracts agreed The event is designed – sometimes clustering themes and speakers around topics Abstracts sent out to delegates who can choose what to attend Evaluation and feedback to presenters For SEDA it’s about sharing ideas, experiences and research ……..and developing ourselves and others

7. Task 1 The best presentations you have experienced have been like what? And the worst like what? How do your preferences shape your approach?

8. SEDA Evaluations “Again a couple of the papers were really Powerpoint hell – not sure what more can be done to discourage this.” “Some workshop leaders needed to leave a little bit more time for discussion + interaction.” “I found it hard to find sessions that related to my needs and there wasn’t enough time for discussions because some people went over time.”

9. Guidance for participants: handouts Please follow the guidelines below if you are planning on producing handouts for participants at your session: Text should be no smaller than 11 point for ease of reading Avoid capitals and underlining Coloured paper can be helpful for those with dyslexia ( beige, lilac etc.) Don’t use too much text!! Add references which people can follow up Bullet points can be helpful

10. Creating a good conference presentation and getting it accepted as a proposal Crafting the presentation Timing Visual aids Who is your audience? What to say? How to say it? How is it relevant to the themes of the event? What will those listening be doing? How will you know they have learnt from you? Getting it accepted Looking at the template Meeting the themes Making the argument or creating interest in your work or persuading delegates to consider something Describing what you will do Providing evidence

11. Be clear about what you are proposing.. Workshops: (45 or 90 minutes) with the emphasis on high levels of participation Poster Discussion / Academic Papers: (maximum of 25 minutes presentation plus at least 20 minutes of questions and discussion)... with the emphasis on drawing out lessons for others and involving participants in engaging with your findings.

12. SEDA General Criteria Does the paper or workshop address the conference theme and appropriate sub-themes? What is the main message? Is it clear? Imagine you are a participant in the session. What would interest you? What would bore you or turn you off the subject? Have they considered that there may be participants for whom English is not their first language or who may have hearing / visual impairments. Are there likely to be acronyms and anecdotes which are too culturally specific? Does the proposal include reference to work that has already been done in this area? Will they finish on time? Some people may have to move to other buildings or rooms for the next session. Are there likely to be handouts? Are they likely to just read their paper? Is there space for dialogue and learning?

13. Task 2 – looking at proposals We invite proposals for sessions exploring student engagement from both staff and student perspectives across the further and higher education sectors in the UK and internationally. We are interested in exploring research and reflections around engaging staff and students in teaching and learning as well as practical ideas for enhancing the engagement agenda in our universities and colleges. Themes 1. Engaging staff and students learning and teaching spaces and curriculum development· research and scholarship· approaches to learning, teaching and assessment· strategy and policy development 2. Engaging with emerging agendas student employability internationalisation· professional recognition· blended and flexible learning

14. Proposals - tips Write clearly Use headings carefully Consider the title, the timings and how it meets the themes Give a short over view – explaining the key points you will make Explain the aims – by the end of the session delegates will… Add references to others’ work in the area Think about what the delegates will do not just what you will say. Consider the fact that delegates may have different preferences How will you know they have learned anything?

15. Task 3 writing a proposal for your event How HEIs understand and address differences in the participation and attainment/progression of BME students and staff. Please submit abstracts on work you have undertaken in institutions/bodies focusing on any of the following themes. Abstracts will either be for a 30/45 minute workshop, world café session or poster display. BME student retention and the attainment gap Embedding equality in the curriculum Partnership working with students and/or student unions BME representation and success in postgraduate courses and/or increasing the pipeline into staff/leaders BME staff representation and progression particularly in senior roles BME experiences in the REF and strategies for creating an inclusive research environment for future submissions Understanding the importance of and using quantitative and qualitative data to target scarce resources and evaluate impact Leadership and Governance in relation to BME students and staff

16. Giving a presentation Timing Visual aids Who is your audience? What to say? How to say it? How is it relevant to the themes of the event? What will those listening be doing? How will you know they have learnt from you?

17. Visual aids “As the chair of the committee, Julie’s modus operandi was always collegiate but assertive enabling members to be confident in contributing their views and ideas while ensuring that decisions were taken which supported the aims of the sector and of SEDA and made for an ambitious and effective conference. During her term of office as chair considerable changes were made to the format and spirit of the conferences with opportunities built in for meaningful collegial dialogue, for structured networking and, above all, for mechanisms to be developed to ensure keynotes and parallel sessions which were rigorous, relevant and stimulating. In chairing the conferences she was always professional and unfailingly inclusive ensuring that first time delegates were welcomed and supported and that all those attending were encouraged and enabled to participate and contribute fully. As current co-chair of the SEDA Executive she facilitates a meeting at current conferences with those new to SEDA ensuring that they are aware of the organisation’s strategy and purpose and that they are able to get the most out of the conference.”

18. How long can people listen to you?

19. How to keep people interested and get something back from the delegates?

20. Presenting Body language Eye contact Voice Question and Answers Positioning Hand -outs DO NOT READ FROM SLIDES OR A PAPER

21. Structuring your conference paper What point are you making? Can you break this down into 3 areas? Add an introduction to: a)add local context b) show you know that others have done work in this area and you are situating your work c) tell people what is coming up Add a conclusion to: a)Sum up what you have said b)Open the discussion / introduce activity

22. Keeping the interest Use sign posting words – firstly, secondly, finally Practice (timing and pronunciation) Don’t speak for more than 20 minutes without some kind of activity Watch your use of power-point /prezi Telling people is different from them learning from your presentation Don’t over run

23. Activities Guided discussion –e.g. what does my data suggest for you? A task – e.g. sort the issues linked to BME student attainment into different categories

24. Task 4 Design a 45 minute conference presentation on one of the themes: Title Intro / conclusion 3 key points References needed Activity How will you know they have engaged?