Attending key gatherings
Locate conferences, meetings and symposiums of interest
Each discipline area has its own set of scholarly gatherings. Many interdisciplinary gatherings address issues that draw from a number of disciplines. Some general academic conferences explore topics of interest to all faculty members. New faculty members benefit from learning about and attending a broad array of gatherings in the first few years of their careers until they settle on several of particular interest. Once settled on a few, be sure to revisit what is available regularly to stay aware of any new gatherings worth following up on.
Look to professional organizations
Higher education organizations, whether general or in specific disciplines, commonly offer meetings, conferences or symposiums to their members. Their websites are likely to link to similar gatherings organized by a variety of groups that members may find helpful. The goal of many of these organizations is to keep members informed about the latest research, governing updates, and advocacy activities that help faculty members stay aware of changes and evolving areas of emphasis in higher education or a particular discipline.
Look for collections of gatherings
Some organizations prepare lists of key conferences in a field, or some departments or college campuses take on the task for themselves. These collections offer a quick way to sift through the hundreds of potential places you may want to regularly attend. Since time is always a limitation, choosing those that others in the field have agreed are most respected, prestigious and helpful will be a more efficient way to choose which gatherings to attend regularly.
Ask colleagues in the field
As a new faculty member seeking to meet colleagues in your areas of interest, related fields, or interdisciplinary areas, take the time to ask what meetings those you meet regularly attend. A pattern will begin to emerge that indicates these most respected, well attended, and helpful for keeping up-to-date in the field. While there is some individual preference involved, veteran colleagues may provide helpful insights about where to invest the time and energy to stay current.
Follow up with conference proceedings that are of interest
Conference proceedings related to professional interests are valuable resources for staying current when you are unable to travel to a gathering. Make a note of any conference related to your research interests, and investigate whether proceedings are available. These academic summaries of the work presented at a conferece are often avilable electronically beofre or shortly after the conference occurs. . If a particularly interesting article comes to your attention, follow up with the author. Not having the resources to attend a conference or other acdemic gathering is not a reason to miss out, as long as proceedings are avilable and faculty members take the time to access them.
Tips on Strategic Conference Attendance
Academic Conferences: Advice for the Anxious
The Chronicle of Higher Education (November, 2007)
This brief article contains links to a lengthy primer on delivering papers at conferences, a set of conference paper tips, and links to other advice.
The Art of Good Conferencing
Perlmutter, D.D. (February, 2008)
This article explores stereotypes of academic conferences, but for those on the tenure and promotion track, learning to get the most out of those meetings has become an essential skill.
How to Keep Track of Academic Conferences without Losing Your Mind
Kurkovsky, S. (September, 2009). Productivity, Tips & Tutorials for Higher Ed, Prof Hacker blog
This guest post offers advice on using conferences strategically and locating which are appropriate for you, your research topic, and at a location you would not mind going.
Locating Conferences
Academic Announcements
HNet Online, Humanities and Social Sciences
This site offers a search tool to browse for academic conferences.
Academic Conference Listing
Brown Walker Press
This site publishes academic and technical conference proceedings, making them available to conference attendees, researchers, and the general public.
Examples of Discipline Specific Conferences
List of Academic Conferences
Sound and Music Computing
This site is a clearinghouse for conferences in the area of sound and music computing.
Event Calendar
American Psychological Association (APA)
APA maintains a listing of meetings, conferences and calls for papers, aside from the annual meeting, as well as links to other conference sites in the area of psychology.
Alternative Gatherings
10 High Fliers on Twitter
Young, J.R. (April, 2009) The Chronicle of Higher Education
This spin on “gatherings” of academics considers Twitter as a global faculty lounge. It suggests ten college Twitterers to follow, representing a range of disciplines, job titles, and approaches. Many of those suggested study new media or the impact of Twitter on education.
