Topic Tango: Deciding on a topic or focus for a conference presentation.

Where do I start when thinking about an area of interest or topic to present at a conference?

When embarking on the journey of selecting a research topic for an academic symposium or conference, it's essential to choose something that captivates your interest and sustains your motivation throughout the entire research process. Whether it’s a compelling title, thought-provoking question, or hypothesis you're eager to explore, ensure it's something that resonates with you deeply. Even doctoral students will attest that their motivation often serves as the driving force behind their thesis completion. Therefore, select a topic that not only inspires you but also has the potential to lead you into further studies or ongoing research endeavours and activities.

There is a vast landscape of topics or focus possibilities within your discipline or the education arena for you to explore. For instance, you might delve into the impacts of modes of teaching delivery, examining its effects on various facets such as teaching methods, student engagement, and educational inequalities i.e. the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). Additionally, you may wish to build upon or add to the research others have explored in your discipline, which offers inspiration for further scholarly investigation.

You may also want to collaborate with others who may have the same or more experience in presenting at conferences or writing conferences papers. Co-writing and presenting with other academic colleagues can add diversity of experiences, expertise and thinking together resulting in a rich and robust output.

As you contemplate potential research or conference topics, remember to choose one that ignites your curiosity and aligns with your academic interests. By selecting a topic that resonates with you personally, you'll find the research process more rewarding and fulfilling. Remember to also align to the conference theme and to be clear about who your audience will be. Presenting at a conference can be a fantastic way to test ideas and thinking and disseminate outcomes from your scholarly endeavours.

Further reading:

https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conference-papers/
https://www.wordsdoctorate.com/blog-details/how-to-write-a-conference-paper/ https://theprofessorisin.com/2011/07/12/how-tosday-how-to-write-a-paper-abstract/