Different types of conferences:
Conferences can include a variety of events such as roundtables,
workshops, lectures, etc. Depending on what you want to achieve
with your conference, you might find it useful to familiarize yourself
with the different types of conferences:
Type |
Definition |
Examples |
Conference |
The most general term to indicate a meeting for discussion - most commonly adopted by associations and organizations for their regular meetings. It is usually associated with the most traditional type of presentation, that is, papers followed by questions. |
Annual
Conference of the Society for French Studies Biennial Conference of the Society for Italian Studies |
Symposium |
Nowadays, this describes a meeting to discuss a particular subject, but its original meaning defines it as a drinking party devoted to conversation and following a banquet. A symposium thus has a slightly more informal character than a conference. |
Primer Simposio De Lingüîstica Hispànica - Reino Unido |
Seminar |
The first meaning of this term refers to a group of students studying under a professor with each doing research and all exchanging results through reports and discussions. Its second definition: 'debating special issues' preserves the conversational character of the term 'seminar'. |
Italian
as a foreign language Perdita Project Seminar |
Colloquium |
This term indicates both a traditional conference and a conversational seminar. Colloquia tend to privilege the aspect of debate. |
The Sociology of Language and Religion |
Workshop |
Taken from the language of manufacturing, the term workshop indicates a brief intensive educational program for a small group of people that focuses on techniques and skills in a particular field. In academia, it is adopted to describe meetings reserved for small groups of specialists who come together for concerted activities or discussion. |
Translation and Theories: East and West |
Roundtable |
The roundness of the table clearly symbolizes the equality of all particpants. Each of them will have the same right to take the floor. Roundtables commonly bring together academics who usually are invited as key-note speakers. Discussion nevertheless plays the leading role in this kind of meeting. |
The Syntax
of Tense and Aspect Third International Round-Table on Urban Environmental History of the 19th and 20th Century |
· Next: Time and venue
