ROLE OF CHAIRS AT ORAL PAPER SESSIONS

• Before the session
• Read the abstracts of the presentations in advance
• Be prepared to ask a question for each presentation, in case none emerge from the audience
• Check whether all presenters are present. Verify whether the presenters are the first authors of the abstracts, so you announce the right persons
• Arrive at the appointed room at least 10 minutes before the session starts
• Familiarize yourself on how to work the microphone, pointer, time cards and overhead lights, whichever is available
• During the session
• At the start of the session, briefly introduce yourself and explain the timing system* to the audience, and as often during the session as you think necessary
• Briefly introduce each speaker
• Be certain that the entire audience can hear the speaker. Interrupt the speaker and ask him/her to speak louder, if necessary.
• * Each Oral Session is 80 minutes in total. 4 oral papers x 20 minutes each (15min + 5 min Q&A)
• Time management – VERY IMPORTANT
• Adhere STRICTLY to the scheduled times in the printed program
• Start the session on time
• Manage the session and control the timing of each presentation to maintain the overall schedule of the papers. Each presentation is allowed 20 minutes maximum: 15 minutes to present the work and 5 minutes for Questions and Answers. Presentations running over this time limit are to be stopped to ensure each presentation is permitted the allocated 20 minutes in total
• No paper is to start ahead of the scheduled time. In the event that a paper is cancelled, the time is either to be used for additional discussion or the session shortened to, for example 60 minutes (3 x 20minutes papers)

Many thanks for your cooperation.