Session Chair Guidelines
Guidelines for Session ChairsThank you very much for serving as a Session Chair during DASFAA 2012. This important role helps to support the conference presenters, ensure the smooth management of the session and keep the overall programs on schedule. Here is a general guideline for your role and responsibilities.
Before the session:- Check the conference program for the session room location
- Know the authors and paper titles for your session
- Review the papers that will be presented
- Prepare questions in advance to help stimulate discussion
- Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the session
- Obtain the Session Chair Report form from the Room Staff
- Check session room for necessary AV equipment (a laptop and a projector will be available)
- Notify Room Staff immediately of any assistance needed
- Check with each author to be sure they are familiar with the AV equipment to be used
- Start the session on time
- Introduce the session (100 words or less)
- Keep the session on schedule
- Speakers must be asked to stop when their allotted time is up in a courteous but firm manner. Keep in mind that the session must end on time, and that the last speaker has just as much right to an audience as does the first speaker.- Allotted time for each paper (including Q&A): Regular papers - 30min; Short papers - 15min; Industrial session papers - 20min
- Moderate the discussion period after each paper is presented
- Complete the Session Chair Report entry for each paper presented
- Hand your completed Session Chair Report to the Room Staff as you leave
- If the presenter is not in attendance, continue on to the next paper. At the end of the session, call again for the missing presenter
- A table will be reserved for Session Chairs in the Rose Room (5th floor) during lunch breaks. Please attend one of these based on your session schedule.
- Monday lunch: Chairs for Monday afternoon sessions & Tuesday morning sessions
Tuesday lunch: Chairs for Tuesday afternoon sessions & Wednesday sessions
