LITERATURE & FILM
Dr. Yair Solan, Assistant Professor
In your opinion, what is the purpose of a conference? Academic conferences are a great way of sharing your work with others and receiving some thoughtful feedback from attendees and fellow panelists. For those new to conferences, giving a talk provides ample opportunity to sharpen your presentation and public speaking skills. Attending a variety of conference panels exposes you to current debates and ongoing research in the field.
In your field, is it typical to deliver Poster Presentations or Oral Presentations? Conference presentations in both literary studies and film studies are oral presentations, although the exact format may differ. A traditional panel presentation is most common – other typical formats include a more discussion-based roundtable or shorter ‘lightning talks’. While not the norm, poster presentations are on occasion included in conferences within these fields, especially when presenting digital humanities projects.
In your field, do panelists typically read papers or speak without notes? Panelists in both literature and film studies usually read their papers, often peppered with asides and ad-libbed remarks to strike an engaging and conversational tone. Many panelists use visual aids in their talks – not only in film papers (which might likewise be supplemented with short film clips) but also in literary studies presentations, where slides may include visuals reflecting relevant cultural context or specific passages that are closely analyzed in the paper.
In your experience, what is the responsibility of an audience member? In addition to listening attentively and respectfully to the presentation, if posing a question to a panelist, keep it relevant to their work. A question or comment should engage with the panelist on their own terms, not pose a tangential point based on the audience member’s irrelevant personal interests or unrelated pet projects – there’s an entire genre of academic jokes poking fun at such self-absorbed conference questions. The Q&A session ordinarily at the end of each panel is meant to further a generative discussion about the panel’s overarching topic.
How would you describe your presentation persona? (or What is an effective presentation persona?) For me, I’ve found that a balance between the formal and the conversational is ideal. When reading a paper, try to stress key ideas and phrases with the appropriate intonation as if you are presenting your points to a friend or colleague, speaking at a natural rhythm that the audience can follow. If you stumble over your words – and this happens to everyone – take a moment and correct or restate. Don’t be afraid to pause or take a sip of water during your presentation.
How do you handle performance anxiety? Practicing by reading your paper aloud is always helpful in boosting your confidence and in ensuring that you stick to the presentation’s time limit. I’d advise against over-practicing, so as not to make your presentation too stiff or robotic. And remember, audience members are coming to see your panel because of their interest in the topic and in your talk! Remind yourself that all the work you put into your presentation has developed your expertise in your chosen topic.
How do you ‘network’? The panel itself is a built-in networking opportunity with your other panelists based on your mutual interests. For any presentation you attend that was particularly compelling to you, feel free to ask a question during the Q&A or briefly speak with a presenter after their panel. If you make any contacts at the conference – whether other presenters, attendees, or your fellow panelists – sending them a short email afterwards or connecting with them on social media, as the case may be, would help to build on these conversations.
Any tips you normally give to first-time goers? Aside from staying relaxed during your presentation, I would encourage first-time conference goers to attend any other panels of interest, and also to take advantage of special events, workshops, and planned social gatherings that are typically part of an academic conference. And if you are presenting for the first time, congratulations on getting accepted to a conference and taking a step outside your comfort zone to share work that is meaningful to you.