Global Studies Research Network

Plenary Sessions

Plenary speakers, chosen from among the world’s leading thinkers, offer formal presentations on topics of broad interest to the community and conference delegation. One or more speakers are scheduled into a plenary session, most often the first session of the day. As a general rule, there are no questions or discussion during these sessions. Instead, plenary speakers answer questions and participate in informal, extended discussions during their Garden Conversation.

Garden Conversation

Garden Conversations are informal, unstructured sessions that allow delegates a chance to meet plenary speakers and talk with them at length about the issues arising from their presentation. When the venue and weather allow, we try to arrange for a circle of chairs to be placed outdoors.

Talking Circles

Held on the first day of the conference, Talking Circles offer an early opportunity to meet other delegates with similar interests and concerns. Delegates self-select into groups based on broad thematic areas and then engage in extended discussion about the issues and concerns they feel are of utmost importance to that segment of the community. Questions like “Who are we?”, ”What is our common ground?”, “What are the current challenges facing society in this area?”, “What challenges do we face in constructing knowledge and effecting meaningful change in this area?” may guide the conversation. When possible, a second Talking Circle is held on the final day of the conference, for the original group to reconvene and discuss changes in their perspectives and understandings as a result of the conference experience. Reports from the Talking Circles provide a framework for the delegates’ final discussions during the Closing Session.

Themed Paper Presentations

This type of session is best suited for reports on completed research or scholarly work. Authors present summaries or overviews of their work, describing the essential features (related to purpose, procedures, outcomes or product).

• In-Person: The formal oral presentation of work should be limited to 20 minutes. Presentations are grouped according to topic or perspective into these themed sessions (which are usually either 75 or 100 minutes), with time provided after all of the presentations for Q&A and group discussion. Presenters are welcome to include visual supports (paper handouts, computer slides, or digital displays) to assist delivery of their oral presentation. Please note that we cannot provide photocopying facilities at the conference, but we will provide data projectors in each room. Multiple-authored presentations are welcome, although only one article may be submitted to the journal based on each presentation.
• Online: We recommend a full presentation of no more than 20 minutes. Presenters are welcome to include visual supports (PDF, PP, ect) to assist delivery of their oral presentation. These will be available to all conference participants. An online discussion board will be available to facilitate conversation, and will be open to both in-person and remote participants.

Colloquium

Colloquium sessions are organized by a group of colleagues who wish to present various dimensions of a project or perspectives on an issue. Four or five short formal presentations are followed by commentary and/or group discussion. A single article or multiple articles may be submitted to the journal based on the content of a colloquium session.

Focused Discussion

This type of session is best suited for position papers, reviews of theoretical or conceptual frameworks, works-in-progress, policy analysis, or topics that generate, or benefit from, extended discussion.

• In-Person: Presenters are each assigned a numbered table in a large meeting room for the full session (usually about 45 minutes), during which time they converse and interact with interested delegates who join them at their table. The discussion may begin with the author presenting a synopsis of their work, to generate discussion on the topic. Authors are encouraged to bring copies of their papers and/or a short handout summarizing their work for distribution at their tables. Multiple authors of a single paper may participate, and one article per roundtable may be submitted for publication.
• Online: Create discussion-oriented video up to a 45 minutes long. Outline your work, and suggest open questions for exchange of views and dialogue. An online discussion board will be available to facilitate conversation, and will be open to both in-person and remote participants.

Workshop/Interactive Session

Workshop sessions involve extensive interaction between presenters and participants around an idea or hands-on experience of a practice. These sessions may also take the form of a crafted panel, staged conversation, dialogue or debate – all involving substantial interaction with the audience. A single article (jointly authored, if appropriate) may be submitted to the journal based on a workshop session.

• In-Person: An interactive 45 minute session which involves the audience throughout the session, and involves at least 30 minutes of audience participation.
• Online: A 45 minute live or recorded video of your workshop. If you are an in-person presenter, you will need to arrange and record this at a different time from your in-person session. If you are a remote presenter, you can offer your workshop at the designated time in the conference program. An online discussion board will be available to facilitate conversation, and will be open to both in-person and remote participants.

Poster Sessions

This format is ideal for presenting preliminary results of work in progress or for projects that lend themselves to visual displays and representations. Each display should include a brief abstract of the purpose and procedures of the work. Authors may submit a formal paper describing their work to the journal associated with their proposal.

• In-Person: In these sessions (generally about 45 minutes), authors have the opportunity to display or exhibit their work and engage in informal discussion with other delegates throughout the session. Displays may be posters (maximum 121.92 x 91.44 centimeters/4x3 feet), digital/computer displays, artwork, or other visual media. Space for the poster or exhibit will be provided at the conference, however all materials must be organized by the presenter, including posters, displays, handouts or other appropriate materials. We cannot guarantee a dedicated power source for each presenter.
• Online: Provide your poster in PDF or single PowerPoint slide. Please be sure that the file resolution is sufficient to be able to read these when downloaded. An online discussion board will be available to facilitate conversation, and will be open to both in-person and remote participants.

Innovation Showcase

Researchers and innovators present practices, products or research and development. All presentations should be grounded in presenters' research or teaching experience. Promotional conversations are permissible, however, products or services may not be sold at the in-person conference venue.

• In-Person: 20 minute presentation of case studies, process and product showcase, pop-up exhibition, show-and tells, etc.
• Online: Video demonstrations, online galleries, etc. An online discussion board will be available to facilitate conversation, and will be open to both in-person and remote participants.