Facilitator Tips

Facilitator Role

Sessions

Thank you for agreeing to serve as facilitator for the UCEA Annual Convention! We are excited to have you join us and thankful to have your expertise in leading the sessions. Please review the role and responsibilities of facilitators below.

Before the Convention

Please reach out to session presenters in advance and come prepared to:

• Run the session smoothly and efficiently.
• Facilitate a robust conversation by reviewing paper summaries beforehand.
• Make sure all presenters are part of the discussion.

In All Academic, you can confirm which sessions you are facilitating and read the paper summaries for each session. If it is a paper or practice-based session, we strongly encourage you to reach out to the authors and review the above guidelines with them as well as establish talking points for the session.

At the Convention

Show up to the session 5–10 minutes before it begins.

• Make sure the laptop adapter is at the podium and remains there at the end of the session (visit the registration desk for help if needed).
• Identify presenters in advance and introduce yourself.
• Remind each presenter of the time limits that apply and describe the timecards you will use to alert them during presentations.

At the start of the session, introduce yourself to the audience, announce the session title, and provide a brief overview of the session purpose.

• Briefly introduce the speakers at the beginning and announce paper titles before each presentation.
• For Ignite Sessions, announce authors’ names before each presentation rather than at the beginning of the session.

During the presentations, monitor time limits strictly so that there’s enough time for each presentation and discussion.

• Paper presentations are 12 minutes.
• Ignite presentations are 5 minutes.

Facilitator Guidance

1. Assume the role of “thought catalyst.” Prepare some questions that address each paper to provoke discussion among the session’s presenters and audience.
2. Field questions from the audience. Once presentations are complete, the remainder of the time can be used for discussion.
3. Conduct the session in a collegial manner. Use first names when addressing participants and the audience to encourage participation.

Please connect with your session attendees and do your part in ensuring that the Convention is a high-quality, engaging experience for all.