Marie Curie Conference (MC2)

Monday 10th April - Wednesday 12th April 2006

 

Chairing of Sessions

Thank you for agreeing to chair two of the sessions in the parallel streams. In order to help ensure continuity between sessions, I’ve been asked to put together a few pointers. I am sure none of what’s below is news to you but if there’s anything you think I have over looked please let me know.

The parallel stream will take place as follows:

M Sessions: Monday 10th April, 15:00-17:00
W Sessions: Wednesday 12th April, 09:00-11:00

Each session last for two hours with papers placed in half hour slots. (Even where there are less than four papers in a session.)

In order to enable movement of delegates between sessions you are asked to ensure speakers keep to their allotted time. This should break down into approximately the following:

As usual it may be helpful to give speakers discrete reminders at 5, 3 and 1 minutes before the end of their allotted presentation time. Please keep to the order of speakers on the programme so that delegates moving sessions can plan which papers to see.

Given we have such young and lively delegates there probably won’t be need for you as chair to ask questions of speakers. However, if the worst does happen and the speaker has given a paper not in your area you may want to consider asking a ‘horizontal’ question (which will no doubt make the rapporteurs very happy). These might include something like:

Try to encourage supportive discussion rather than the more ‘interrogative’ style of questioning that the occasional delegate sometimes adopt. If things do get a little heated, please tactfully intervene and encourage another question from the audience.

Each session will have a facilitator from the commission to be on hand to offer support (if needed). You may find it useful to contact them before the conference just so you know each other. You may also want to contact the authors of the sessions you are chairing to make them feel welcome and say how much you are looking forward to their presentation.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate in emailing me at Jason.Rutter@manchester.ac.uk.

Thanks again for all you help.

Jason Rutter