10 top tips for conference proposals
Krisztina Csortea, Andrew Dorman and Jo Hills provide advice on writing a successful conference proposal
Submitting paper and panel proposals to conferences can be a daunting task! With the various themes, caucuses, sections and networks, their attendant events and the almost limitless range of potential panellists, it can be hard to decide how and where to pitch your idea. In this blogpost we highlight some top tips for submitting to academic conferences, from putting together a panel to submitting a paper and navigating the maze of relevant organizations pre-conference.
1) Start as early as possible
The process of writing a conference paper or putting a panel together can be full of unanticipated hurdles and setbacks, as well as opportunities for collaboration that require more work than you might first anticipate. In this context, starting the process of writing your abstract and reaching out to potential co-panellists early is an absolute must and helps ensure that the end result is the best it can be.
2) Don’t aim for perfection
It is also important not to wait until you have a fully formed panel idea ready to go. Instead, once you have a few potential panellists in mind reaching out to them early can often be a good idea. They are likely to have great suggestions for potential contributors you might never have thought of and can help bring the panel together. Equally, don’t be afraid to reach out to people beyond your immediate academic networks and do go beyond your social media bubble, social networks can often end up replicating insular academic circles.
3) Go for panels if possible
While it can seem more straightforward to only think about your work and submit a paper proposal based on it, it is almost always worth going the extra step and organizing a panel. This will make it more likely that your paper is accepted, as conference organizers no longer have to worry about fitting your paper into panels not originally designed for it. Perhaps more importantly, this is a great way to bring together a group of researchers beyond your immediate networks who work on similar topics to yours.
4) Focus on diversity from the outset
When constructing a panel including a diverse range of voices is essential. This means proactively prioritizing inclusion and being cognizant of disciplinary exclusions on the basis of gender, race, seniority and region when inviting panellists. Simply, being ‘representative’ of a discipline that remains highly inaccessible isn’t good enough, so set out to build a panel that reflects what a better IR could be. Putting together a diverse panel can also introduce you to new research ideas and networks and create opportunities for collaboration beyond the conference. On the other end of the spectrum, don’t be scared to approach senior academics, they are often happy to chair panels or act as discussants.
5) Remember the conference themes
Remember that your submission will not be judged in a vacuum but in relation to the themes of the conference and its major sections, caucuses and working groups. As such, it can be valuable to refer to the conference theme in your abstract as it will signal to organizers where you fit within their programme. In this context, following the organizations and working groups that align with your research interests via social media or email can be a great way of building awareness of the key areas that could be on the conference agenda.
6) Think about your audience
Writing a good abstract for a paper or panel proposal can often be a tough balancing act. While conferences provide a unique opportunity to discuss your research with other specialists in your field, it is equally important to avoid narrowing your audience unnecessarily by overusing academic jargon (remember your abstract will appear in the conference programme!). Instead, be strategic with your use of key terms and carefully identify where they communicate important theoretical and methodological points and where they make your work inaccessible. Remember that conference programmes are often searchable by keyword, so using them appropriately in you abstract is a must.
7) Keep an eye on social media as the deadline approaches
While looming deadlines can be scary, the weeks leading up to the submission deadline it is important to keep an eye on calls to participate in panels and roundtables, or to act as chair or discussant. Following key researchers and organizations on social media can be a great way of being notified of these opportunities.
8) Be strategic about format
Another important thing to consider when working on your application is choosing a format that best suits your academic and funding needs. Academically, if getting feedback on an upcoming journal article is a key priority, then a panel might work best. Roundtables are a good venue for a more free-flowing discussion on certain topics and themes, but not necessarily for presenting a specific paper. You should also consider applying for pre-conference events and workshops, as these can often be a great space for in-depth discussions on a particular topic or issue. This said, keep in mind that your institution may fund different types of participation differently, so be sure to check what the restrictions are.
9) Consider your funding situation
Given the well documented financial barriers to attending conferences that disproportionately impact junior scholars and those based in the global South, getting an early picture of available sources of funding is vital. In some cases, conferences themselves will offer funding, so working out what is available early can help make attending that bit more achievable.
10) Relate your work to real events
While trying to predict what will happen in international politics a year in advance just to go to an academic conference sounds like the plot of the world’s most mundane sci-fi film, it’s worth trying to make your proposal timely if possible. For example, diplomatic summits, the birthdays of major international institutions or the anniversaries of key historic events can act as a hook for your conference paper or panel.
Krisztina Csortea is the Managing Editor of International Affairs
Andrew Dorman is the Editor of International Affairs.
Jo Hills is the Digital Content Editor of International Affairs.
All views expressed are individual not institutional.
