Academic conference
A scientific conference ( symposium, from ancient Greek. Συμπόσιον symposium " feast ", " dinner party ") is a conference for scientists, to which they can present their work and findings and discuss among themselves. Scientific conferences put together with scientific journals, one of the important types of communication between researchers dar.
Some months before the session is often prompted by a call for papers for writing and submitting papers for the conference, which occur either as a lecture or in a poster session. For overview presentations at major conferences known experts are often invited to invited papers.
Expiration
In general, research will be presented in short, factual held presentations of about 10 to 30 minutes in length, to which usually a chance for discussion followed (usually 3-5 minutes). Usually, this work has previously undergone a peer review, usually an abstract was observed. Alternatively, or in addition to oral presentation often the opportunity is offered to present a poster. Often sponsors (eg, scientific publishers or meter manufacturer ) show small exhibitions, thus sponsor the event in order to reduce the sometimes considerable conference fees.
At the opening of a conference and an introduction to specific areas of expertise plenary talks ( keynotes ) of about one hour duration are often performed by recognized authorities in the respective areas. This Plenary (see also invited papers ) are usually advertised specifically in advance of the conference and can significantly contribute to the attractiveness of the conference. In addition to plenary sessions, there are also session keynotes, ie those that do not serve as the sole presentation, but as the start of a so-called lecture session and usually have twice the length of normal lectures.
The conference program and abstracts of the presentations will be given to conference participants usually before the event in the " Book of Abstracts " known. Worked publications are often published after the conference in negotiations ( Proceedings, conference proceedings ) or in a scientific journal.
Scientific conferences, which take place on a small scale are often referred to as a seminar or workshop. With larger conferences there is at least partially common presentation series offer (called sessions) in order to handle the size of the program within a given period of usually only a few days can.
The symposium (or conference ) is a conference on a specific topic. Comprehensive conferences that cover a wide range of topics, are often (annually for example ) organized by professional associations such as the German Physical Society at regular intervals and serve, apart from its scientific function as a communication medium for the association members.
Additional programs
The scientific conference is different from the fair, in which the commercial interests of the exhibitors are in the foreground. However, be by conference participants liked to see subject-specific exhibitions company that can reach even the smaller circumference measurement at larger events.
Often therefore symposia are organized embedded in industry trade shows, so that participants can perceive both. An example is the telecommunications trade fair Systems in Munich. Spreads are also modular solutions such as the Musikmesse Jazz Ahead in Bremen, where the modules Festival and scientific symposium will be sold side by side next to the module economy.
Frequent additional events are also:
- Audience or forum discussions or Subkonferenzen on topics of science and research policy or future research priorities
- Adoption of resolutions on these issues, establishment of scientific services
- Annual meetings of the committees and working groups of the conference theme
- Company presentations on aspects of the conference
- Workshops on special topics, software or technical developments
- Technical visits to farms, cultural and natural sites of interest
- Social program at major congresses, concerts or balls.
Conference Management
Many conferences are managed nowadays a web-based system such as Converia, Easy Chair, amiando, RegOnline or OpenConf that supports about the work processes for the submission, peer review and compilation of the proceedings. Furthermore, today's web-based solutions offer integrated payment options, ie Conference goers can easily and pay directly online ( including credit card).
Conference organizers
Numerous professional congress organizers, the organizers offer an extensive range of services. You take for the organizer to request the entire organization, including subscriber management, hotel bookings, process organization and program. By maintaining contact you often also facilitate the search for sponsors and conduct an industrial exhibition.