Panels are question-and-answer sessions focussed around a specific topic. Panels involve a panel chair, a panel scribe, plus between 3-5 panellists. The format should be a set of questions that will be asked of the panellists, before opening the floor to questions and discussion involving the audience.
How will panels work?
Panels will last 40 minutes. The panel session will be livestreamed during the conference. An audio and video recording of the session will be made available as soon as possible after the panel is held.
Panel questions and interactions before and during the conference
The audience will be able to submit questions for the panel during the livestream. There will also be an opportunity to submit questions prior to the session, to enable participation by those who cannot attend the livestream.
Notes and summaries of panels
The panel scribe should record notes from the panel. The scribe and chair should use these to create a short write-up, e.g. as a blog post, which is submitted to the Society no later than two weeks after the close of the conference. This blog post will be published on the Society website.
Proposing a panel topic
Panels should discuss related issues around a focussed topic that will likely be of interest to the wider Research Software Engineering community. For examples of past panel topics, see the RSECon19 UK panel schedule.
To help attendees choose the panels that will interest them, you need to upload the biographies of the panellists, a description of the panel topic, and a set of example questions to the conference system by Wed 1st September.
Note at this stage that you only need to suggest a panel topic and nominate yourself as a panel chair. You don’t need yet to identify the scribe or panellists. Feel free to ask us if you want any suggestions or help to find volunteers.
Resources and accessibility needs
If you require particular resources for your panel (e.g. if you have particular requirements regarding the streaming platform) then please indicate this in the submission. Similarly please let us know any accessibility needs in the submission, too.
Wider dissemination after the conference
We are committed to an open conference, with all materials available publicly before, during and after the event. All slides and related information for the panel must be uploaded to the conference system prior to the event. We will clearly communicate any deadlines for uploading content far in advance to give you time to prepare. After the conference the materials will be archived and made available permanently via the conference website, alongside recordings of the live event. Please do not submit proposals or a panel which cannot be openly published in this manner.
Planning your submission
When submitting your proposal for a panel, you will need to specify the following details:
Title and abstract
The abstract should be relatively brief and attention-grabbing rather than an exhaustive explanation of the material you wish to cover. Both the title and the abstract will be published on the conference website as soon as your proposal has been accepted.
Audience
Would your target audience be required to have any prerequisite skills/background knowledge e.g. knowledge of a particular programming language?
Outcomes
How will your attendees benefit from your session? What do you expect them to gain/learn?
Accessibility
Have you thought about how accessible your session will be to the entire diverse audience of the conference? How will you ensure that all text in supporting materials is sized so that it is fully legible to everyone, or how will you ensure that colours are chosen so that all graphics are easily understandable? Will someone who views a recording of your event be able to contact you in future? Please have a look at the accessibility guidelines for the conference.
Note we will provide the video streaming platform, organise recording of live sessions, and will review uploaded material before the conference to provide advice.
Promotion
How will you attract a broad and diverse audience for your session? We will provide help by providing easily-tweetable and shareable links to your session (including all uploaded material), as well as a live view of how many people have indicated they will attend. Who would you share these links with? Who are the communities that would be interested in what you will present?
Mentorship
We are happy to provide mentors who can help you put together your session. Mentors can help by reviewing draft slides, listening to a rehearsal, providing advice on making material engaging etc. If you would like help from a mentor then please indicate this in the Presenter Details and Diversity Form that accompanies your submission.
Technological Requirements
Does your panel have any specific technological requirements beyond the streaming platform and hosting of supporting materials provided by the conference system? Please let us know if you would like assistance with setting up and using any conference systems (e.g. for streaming, file upload etc.) or if you would like help regarding additional technological needs for the panel session.
License
Session recordings and any supporting materials uploaded and generated for panels will be published on the conference system and the website. These will be shared under a CC BY license. Recordings of panels will be made publicly available as soon as possible after their presentation.
Making a submission
To submit a panel, click the button below. Note that you will need to complete both this form and the Presenter Details and Diversity Form, using the same email address for both forms. You only need to fill in the Presenter Details and Diversity form once, regardless of the number of submissions you make to SeptembRSE. All submissions will be reviewed anonymously, and all data will be managed according to our privacy policy.
To help you participate in the conference, we have written an example panel submission, that you can adapt for your submission.