Conferences have historically been the centerpiece of academia, drawing together researchers across a field to introduce their work to other scientists, engage in debate and discussion, and learn about new ideas.
Modern conferences build on that foundation and allow participants to dive deeper into their field of study, establish connections with other researchers, and share their work with the academic community. Some conferences include, or focus on, the sharing of knowledge that is relevant to the other roles that psychologists can hold. For example, conferences might feature programming relevant to college teaching, the provision of services (e.g., assessment, therapy, consultation), or advocacy. Students can benefit greatly from attending conferences as participants and presenters. There are three types of conferences that provide opportunities for students—national, regional, and local. Each offers different ways to connect with the scientific community.
Attending a national conference
National conferences are large-scale annual events, with individuals joining from all over the country (and often the world). Because of their broad reach, national conferences offer a diversity of interactions, knowledge, and resources. Participants gain exposure to different topics tangential or adjacent to their field. These conferences usually last 3–4 days and are filled with different types of talks, poster sessions, and specialized programming (e.g., workshops, social events) in addition to opportunities to meet and hear from leaders in the field.
Talks
National conferences include a series of talks (e.g., symposia, panel discussions) where late-stage graduate students, current postdocs, and established researchers will give a 20–30 minute talk about their work. Often, these talks include multiple presenters sharing related work. Following the talk, there is a great opportunity to ask the presenter questions and connect to the community. Audience members may ask for more details about the information that was shared, raise a question about how the work connects to other research areas, or ask about the implications of the findings to everyday life. Asking questions is a great way for students to more fully engage with the academic community.
Conferences also typically feature keynote speakers who summarize years of previous research and provide insights on future directions. As a student, attending keynote talks can provide a great opportunity to learn from, and potentially meet, some of the most influential individuals in the field.
Poster sessions
Presenting at a poster session at a national conference is a great and rewarding experience. If you’ve worked on a research project (e.g., completed a thesis, served as a key member of a research team), you can apply for the opportunity to present your findings using a poster format. Typically, a few months prior to the conferences there will be a call for proposals and individuals can submit an abstract or proposal to be reviewed by the conference committee. If the proposal is accepted, the student will create a poster summarizing their work. At the conference, after setting up the poster and shaking off any nerves, students stand by their poster during a scheduled session (typically lasting 1–2 hours). Posters are usually grouped by topic, and conference attendees can choose to walk by and browse posters in a section of interest. Interested attendees may stop by a particular poster to learn more about the work. Presenters provide a 2–5 minute explanation of their poster, answer any questions that come up, and usually engage in a short discussion on the topic. Poster sessions provide students the opportunity to highlight their work, engage in meaningful conversations, hear different perspectives about their work, and have more of a presence in their scientific community. Additionally, it is helpful to have a small printout of the poster for interested individuals or a card with contact information if attendees would like to follow up later.
There are usually multiple poster sessions so that student presenters can also traverse the halls and observe other posters. On these tours, students can learn about the fascinating work of their peers and the current findings in their field.
Workshops
Workshops provide conference attendees with more in-depth learning experiences. For example, workshops may focus on how to use specific software, tools for data analysis, new technology, or how to develop a particular skill (e.g., how to provide a specialized form of therapy, teach a particularly challenging course, or submit a grant proposal). These workshops range from 2–4 hours and include speakers, hands-on learning, and materials. During workshops, attendees are encouraged to ask questions, work through problems, and acquire new information. Depending on the topic, workshops can be extremely useful for students.
Many national organizations that host conferences also offer free or low-cost memberships to students. As a member, you can register for conferences and use the resources of the organization. The organizations sometimes offer year-round workshops, newsletters, journals, seminar series, and online networks. Being a member provides students with professional development tools and additional chances to build community.
Within the psychology field, there are many national conferences. Some are very broad and attempt to cover all aspects of psychology (e.g., APA’s Annual Convention), whereas others are more specialized (e.g., The Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference, The Society for Personality and Social Psychology Convention). It can be helpful to ask members of the faculty at your college and university about the conferences they regularly attend.
Attending a regional conference
Regional conferences offer the benefit of joining together with the community of researchers in your area (e.g., northeastern U.S.). These conferences are usually closer to your area and last between 1–2 days. Most regional conferences also include keynote speakers, a series of talks, and poster sessions. The psychology honor societies (Psi Betaopens in new window and Psi Chiopens in new window) often have a presence at the regional meetings, which offers further opportunities for learning and networking. Indeed, regional conferences provide more opportunities for students to present and stay in touch with potential collaborators and mentors.
Attending a local conference or poster session
A local session provides a way for your closest community members to view and engage with your research. These sessions may be hosted by your college or university and are usually scheduled for one day. Local sessions provide a good opportunity for students to present a poster or give a talk in a supportive environment and gain experience presenting their research.
Conclusion
Each of these conferences—national, regional, and local—offers unique benefits for students. Attending conferences is useful to your development as a researcher. Students can take these opportunities to meet other researchers, learn about novel research, and share information. Overall, it is most important to enjoy the conference and the company of others who have a great passion for research.
About the author
Kristen Gilyard just completed an internship in the Education Directorate at APA. She is currently a second-year PhD student at Harvard University, where she studies developmental psychology. Kristen earned her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and mathematics at Harvard University in 2021. She additionally obtained a master’s in education and strives for the development and advancement of children’s learning. Her academic interests include novel noun learning and the intersection of education and psychology.
