On why you should not read your slides in an academic (or non-academic) conference presentation (OR please be ready to present).
I recently spent a week enjoying a series of academic presentations.
Every so often, one would pop up - particularly by students - where the student would not only adhere to the script - introduction, research question, literature review & so on - but would also demonstrate the sense of ease that comes from being practiced & knowing the content well.
Too often, one would pop up - particularly by faculty - where the speaker would adhere to the script - see above - but would demonstrate a marked lack of confidence bc they either had not practiced or did not know the content well.
How can you tell?
(1) body language - you see gestures, nervous twitches, playing with a ring or hair
(2) pacing nervously - you march back & forth back to the screen
(3) reading from the slides - enough said
(4) rambling - wandering through a topic & going off-topic
(5) overly wordy slides - which are used as a crutch
Given that faculty teach & spend much time in front of student audiences, I find it puzzling that they turn up to a conference session so unprepared & not ready to perform.
An aside. I recognize that everyone can have a bad day.
But, the pattern of bad presentations - particularly in the morning - is troubling.
Why?
Because just as we have an obligation to our students to be prepared to teach, we have an obligation to our colleagues to be prepared to present our work.
So, it will probably irritate many bc they may feel it presumptuous to suggest ...
A few suggestions on being better prepared to give a conference presentation.
(1) Don't change your analysis at the last minute.
People fumble when they change the analysis the night before they talk.
Stop playing with data for a few days & focus on your narrative based on what you know.
(2) Don't hit the conference bar the night before.
You may feel that you are doing great - but when you have the alcohol sweats as you present - it's clear that you are not doing as "great" as you might think.
Yes, people notice.
(3) Finish the slides before your flight.
Take some time to put your slide deck together & solicit feedback from friends & coauthors.
Friends are likely to notice issues in flow.
Coauthors are likely to notice factual inaccuracies.
(4) Practice a couple of times.
Nothing is worse than getting up & saying the slide deck was created by a coauthor or their student - then saying they don't know what is in the deck.
Don't crack a joke at that moment. It's not funny to your audience.
(5) Keep your narrative as simple as your paper permits.
Offer a short literature review - that directly pertains to the story.
Make sure you clearly articulate your model.
Clearly sum up the analysis in a simple slide.
Your audience is taking time to watch you present. Respect them.
We can all have fun at conferences, even in sessions, if speakers are well-prepared.
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