Module Information
Module Identifier
PGM8100
Module Title
How to Organise a Conference
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Conference Participation Participation in resulting academic conference | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Attendance and Participation Attendance and participation in the sessions and completion of in between session tasks: the mark will be pro-rata, with attendance (e.g. out of 12), participation (e.g. out of 12) and task completions (e.g. out of 6) noted by the facilitator (e.g. attending 10 sessions, and participating in 8, with all 6 tasks completed would give 20%*(10+8+6)/30=16% | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Reflective Essay Reflective essay on the process and resulting paper *All three components need to passed at 50% level 500 Words | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Attend an alternative Conference | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Reflective essay Reflective essay on the process and resulting paper *All three components need to passed at 50% level | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Retake module | 20% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Have a critical awareness of how to develop/organise an academic conference
Be able to organize/run an academic conference
Creatively deal with issues with regard to an academic conference
Be able to reflect academically on past events
Brief description
This module will look at the development of an academic conference and would cover all relevant aspects. It is seen that this is supporting the development of an essential skill for an academic/research career.
This is aimed at second/third year PhD (or potentially first year MPhil) students.
The expectation is that the students would contribute to the organization and running of the Aberystwyth PGR Conference (or be involved in an alternative conference in their research area).
This is aimed at second/third year PhD (or potentially first year MPhil) students.
The expectation is that the students would contribute to the organization and running of the Aberystwyth PGR Conference (or be involved in an alternative conference in their research area).
Aims
To allow PhD/MPhil students to develop their conference organization/contribution skills.
Content
The module will develop all aspects of an academic conference and could contain the following sessions:
- Themes, dates, planning, venue (oral presentations / posters boards), food/drinks, web-pages, Registration or just open? On-line or in-person?
- Call for Contributions, promotion, invited speakers?
- Oral/poster reviewing/selection. EDI / self-submissions / balanced programme. Letting people know.
- The programme - including handout / abstracts booklet. Material production.
- Promotion: social media, email lists, posters, etc. Registration or just open?
- Technical check before the conference: test everything.
- Last minute cancellations. On the day: who is in charge, what is happening when, etc.
- Post conference: proceedings? Reflection.
There will be practical tasks in between the sessions. There will be the opportunity to share work and to obtain feedback on developed work by peers, supervisors and facilitators.
- Themes, dates, planning, venue (oral presentations / posters boards), food/drinks, web-pages, Registration or just open? On-line or in-person?
- Call for Contributions, promotion, invited speakers?
- Oral/poster reviewing/selection. EDI / self-submissions / balanced programme. Letting people know.
- The programme - including handout / abstracts booklet. Material production.
- Promotion: social media, email lists, posters, etc. Registration or just open?
- Technical check before the conference: test everything.
- Last minute cancellations. On the day: who is in charge, what is happening when, etc.
- Post conference: proceedings? Reflection.
There will be practical tasks in between the sessions. There will be the opportunity to share work and to obtain feedback on developed work by peers, supervisors and facilitators.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Adaptability and resilience | These skills will be developed through the planning and attendance of conference stage |
| Co-ordinating with others | These skills will be developed through the planning stage |
| Creative Problem Solving | Developed through thinking about the logistics of planning a conference |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Developed through the module and the assessment |
| Digital capability | The skills will be developed throughout the module. |
| Professional communication | Verbal communication skills will be enhanced during the planning stage. Written communication skills will be developed in the reflective essay. |
| Reflection | The module will entail a significant element of personal reflection, which will allow students to gain insight into areas of potential future personal development. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7