For many early career researchers and clinicians, attending a conference can feel a little overwhelming, particularly if it’s your first time attending a new conference (where everyone seems to know everyone else) or your first conference altogether. You’re starting to worry as you’re surrounded by experts whose papers you’ve read, and a packed programme that leaves little room to catch your breath. It can be tempting to attend your sessions, present your work, and head back to your hotel to hide. But conferences offer something that the online world can’t compare to, the opportunity to build genuine professional relationships. From my experience also, they help to create friendships that help you navigate the early career researcher’s life.
If you’ve got this far without shutting your laptop, as it drums up memories of that one conference where the only meaningful interaction you had was with security checking your lanyard at the entrance, good news is that networking isn’t about being loud or introducing yourself to everyone you meet. It’s about having meaningful conversations with people who share your interests. And guess what… there’s no guesswork, everyone is there, because they are interested in very similar things!
Here are some tips to help you.
Before the conference
Networking can begin before the conference even starts, equally on the morning before the first keynote. Take some time to review the programme and identify speakers, research groups, or attendees whose work aligns with your interests. If there are sessions particularly relevant to your research, make a note of them and think about questions you might like to ask, this can avoid potential worry about freezing up, or not having anything to say.
Sometimes it helps to “ice break” by having an ‘elevator pitch’. Aim for a short explanation that covers what you study, why it matters, and what you’re hoping to learn next. Having this ready makes introductions much easier and flow.
If the conference has an app or uses social media, consider engaging beforehand. Commenting on posts or arranging to meet colleagues for coffee can make those first conversations much less intimidating. This is also a fantastic opportunity to look for aligned labs that may be your next career move, into PhD / Postdoc or beyond.
During the conference
It’s easy to think networking means collecting as many business cards or LinkedIn connections as possible, and you can draw your own ideas of it being successful that way. However, in reality, a handful of meaningful conversations are far more valuable than dozens of brief introductions. You’ve seen someone present a talk or their poster and it interests you, or is even relevant to your own work. If you’re unsure how to start a conversation, begin with something they’ve just presented or recently published. People usually appreciate genuine interest in their work.
Start with: “I really enjoyed your presentation, how did you get interested in this area?”, “I’m working on something similar. Can I ask how you approached xyz?”, “What do you think are the future directions of this field?”. Most researchers enjoy discussing their work, and genuine curiosity is one of the best conversation starters.
Also, don’t underestimate your peers, some of the most valuable professional relationships you’ll develop will be with people at a similar career stage. Today’s PhD student may become tomorrow’s collaborator or sounding board for your work. The postdoctoral researcher you meet over coffee may later review your grant application or invite you to collaborate on a study.
Take advantage of poster sessions, early career events (particularly the social events too), workshops (even including the ones before or during the conference). These environments often make conversations feel much more natural.
This also goes with your colleagues, if you know your PI or Postdoc in the lab is friendly with someone, ask them to introduce you. An introduction through a connection is easy to provide for that person.
Presenting is networking
If you’re giving a poster or oral presentation, think of it as an opportunity to start conversations rather than simply showcase results. Stand by your poster, when possible, invite questions, and ask visitors about their own work. Some of the best discussions happen after the formal presentation has ended. It’s great to also include your contact details clearly on either your poster or presentation.
Make sure you are ready to answer questions about your work, “What question were you trying to answer?”, “Why is it important?”, “What’s the next step?”
Equally importantly, don’t be afraid of not being able to answer something, or if someone critiques your work, that’s what conferences are for, and develop you as a scientist. [RA1.1]It’s easy to reply with “That’s an interesting idea, I hadn’t thought about that and see how that may be useful for xyz” Conferences are places for discussion, lean into this.
The power of asking questions at presentations
Asking questions after talks can feel daunting, but pushing yourself to come out of your comfort zone makes it easier over time. I remember my first question, my watch buzzed an alert for a high heart rate warning (I subsequently set this threshold enormously high, and that hasn’t changed since), but asking questions helps people remember you.
You don’t need to ask the most technically complex enlightening question in the room, with everyone applauding in adoration. Simple, thoughtful questions often generate the best discussion. Think how my work relates, “have you looked at x” which is something you have observed yourself.
Lastly, if speaking into a microphone feels intimidating, approach the speaker afterwards. These one-to-one conversations are often longer and more productive than the audience ones.
Follow up afterwards
Leaving the conference venue shouldn’t be the end of the conversation. Within a few days, connect with people you’ve met on LinkedIn or by email. A short message such as “It was great meeting you at the conference. I really enjoyed our discussion about embryo development and look forward to keeping in touch.” That’s it, short and sweet is all that’s needed.
If someone suggested an idea for your work, or introduced you to a collaborator, or offered advice, thank them. Small follow-ups help transform a brief conference conversation into a lasting professional relationship.
My overall top tips for conference networking
• Prepare a short introduction to your research.
• Identify people you’d like to meet before the conference sessions have begun.
• Ask questions, during sessions or afterwards.
• Spend time at posters and early career events.
• Prioritise meaningful conversations over small and short
• Don’t be afraid to ask if you can meet a person again.
• Follow up with your most valuable contacts, within a few days after the meeting.
Everyone started somewhere, you don’t need to meet everyone that was there. If you leave a conference having learned something new, had a few interesting discussions, and made a handful of genuine connections, you’ve networked successfully.
Thanks for reading, and I hope it helps some of you, and hey… let’s connect, you never know if I can introduce you to someone who can help you flourish as an Early Career Researcher.