University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 2 | Credits: 5

The student should only register for this module in the academic year that they intend to complete the module. Students may have an opportunity during their research programme to organise a conference, as an individual or as part of an organising committee. The conference may address a general or specific theme and may attract participants from Ireland and/or abroad. This module aims to give students the opportunity to learn how to organise a conference and practical experience of so doing. The student must be centrally involved in organising the conference along with their academic unit. For this module a conference may also be taken to mean a workshop, seminar series or Summer School. Students are expected to draft and disseminate calls for papers, assess and select papers, invite speakers, identify and invite conference chairs, organise the conference venue, organise travel and subsistence for speakers, make up conference packs, arrange paper streams, administer finances, mange the event on the day and handle publication of any conference proceedings. The student will write a report • summarising the conference presentations, • outlining their role in the conference, • critically evaluating the conference organisation and • identifying lessons learnt.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Know what is involved at every stage of organising and hosting a conference
  2. Manage last-minute problems and unforeseen events
  3. Manage a conference. Know about current topics and developments in the relevant subject field
  4. Communicate effectively with conference speakers, chairs, attendees and other conference organisers. Interact with visiting speakers, academics and peers in order to gain insights and advice on your own work
  5. Reflect on lessons learned
Assessments
  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module GS5103: "Conference Organisation" and is valid from 2017 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.