Academic conferences are serious professional events, but that doesn't mean that they have to be totally devoid of fun! In fact, one of the great things about conferences is getting to know your fellow researchers face to face, and this is often easier when you're in a more informal environment. Between conferences dinners, parties, and other social events, there should be some time for fun as well as for work at a conference.

Whether you are a student or a senior researcher in economics, attending conferences is a vital part of your academic career. As well as being able to present your work as a talk or as a poster, you can attend the presentations of other researchers to learn about the latest news and developments in your field. But more than that, conferences are a chance to discuss your topic with fellow experts and to get to know new people and to expand your network.

When you attend a conference, you can benefit not only from hearing about new research and networking with other academics, but also from engaging in discussion and debate with your fellow attendees. It's a rare chance to have researchers in your field from all over the world gathered in one place, so you should take up this opportunity to talk with them. One excellent way to engage in discussions is by staying for the question and answer session at the end of a talk or poster. Usually, there will be some time set aside at the end of a talk for comments from the audience.

As an academic, in order to promote your own work and to learn about the work being done by others in your field, it's essential that you attend conferences. This is especially true of disciplines like history which can be performed individually rather than as part of a research group. You need contact with other researchers in order to motivate yourself and to understand the broader context of debates currently being held in your field.

Poster sessions are an underrated part of conferences. While they aren't as high profile as talks or panels, you can still get a lot from attending a poster session if you follow a few key tips. For a look at all upcoming conferences where you can put these strategies into action check our listings.

Social functions are often the fun part of attending a conference, but they can be stressful in their own way too. Here's a guide to ease you into the essential points of attending a conference social function. For a look at all upcoming conferences where you can put these strategies into action check our conference listings.

Going to a conference is fun and rewarding for a lot of reasons – not least because you get to explore a new place! Conferences are usually held in major cities, which makes travelling to them easier and means that there will be plenty of tourists destinations for you to visit. Taking a bit of time away from the conference to explore the place where you're staying is a good way to de-stress from a busy conference and lets you see places that you otherwise might not.

To get the most from attending a conference, try out these quick hacks for a better conference experience: 1. Sit in the front row When you attend a talk, it's always tempting to hide at the back. But if you sit at the front you'll hear and see better, and you are more likely to feel engaged. Plus, if you talk to the presenter later they are more likely to remember you.

Giving a presentation at an academic conference can be both stressful and rewarding. While it's incredibly helpful to get feedback and insights on your project from other researchers in your field, it can also be intimidating to hold your work up for scrutiny from others. Today we're going to share some tips for making your conference presentations as compelling and distinctive as possible, as well as some tips for dealing with conference day nerves and the post-presentation discussion.

For women, it can be a bit of a challenge to know what to wear to an academic conference. In some disciplines, it would be expected for everyone to wear a suit, but for most academic conferences a business-casual look is appropriate. But what does that mean in practical terms? Here's our advice on picking a conference outfit. Download the Conference Monkey Directory - 6 Month Conference List

Everyone knows that it's important for your research and for your career to attend conferences and to present your work. Presenting at a conference lets other people in the field comment on your work to improve it, and also gives you a career boost. But how can you get your work accepted to a conference? Here are some tips on applying to conferences to give you the best chance of success.

When you apply to present at a conference, you'll often be asked to provide a letter of motivation along with your abstract and CV. This is used to decide which applicants will be invited to give a talk or poster presentation at the conference.

We've talked before about how conferences are a great opportunity to network as well as to hear about the latest research in your field and to present your own work to the academic community. But how can you make the most of your networking opportunities while you are at a conference? What's the best way to make contacts and to keep in touch when you meet someone who could be a part of your network? Here are our tips on smart networking during academic conferences. Ask questions after talks

It's important for your career and for your professional development to attend academic conferences. Conferences are where you can meet other researchers working in your subject, get feedback on your work from experts, and see early previews of the latest research in your field. They can also be a fun opportunity to travel and see new places and try new foods.

One of the most fun parts of attending a conference is getting to travel to a new place. Conferences are often held in major metropolitan areas, so you can explore the city while you attend the conference. But it can be tricky to find your way around a new city, as any seasoned traveller will tell you! Today we're sharing some tips with you to help you find your way around and to get the most out of your conference travel.

If you haven't been to a conference before and you're planning to attend one soon, then today we're sharing some tips to make your first conference experience better: Download the Conference Monkey Directory - 6 Month Conference List

The most famous and prestigious prizes in research, the Nobel Prizes, were announced recently. The prizes for 2017 will be given out at a ceremony in Stockholm on the 10th December. Before that happens, we're going to introduce you to each of the winners and explain what part of their research lead them to win an award for their extraordinary achievements. Download the Conference Monkey Directory - 6 Month Conference List

If you're thinking about attending a conference, then as well as the location and the scale of the event, you should be sure to check out who the keynote speakers are. A keynote speaker can be inspiring to everyone in attendance at a conference, and as well as learning about new research or recent developments in the field, you'll have the opportunity to discuss and debate with your fellow conference attendees. The keynote speech sets the tone for the conference, so a great keynote speaker can lift an entire event.

When you're attending a conference, you know that having the right speakers can make the experience truly productive and memorable. A great speaker can inspire discussion and debate as well as teaching you about a new topic. Here are five of the best speakers for engineering conferences: James McLurkin

The right speaker can turn a standard conference into something truly memorable. Attending an event with a famous or well-regarded keynote speaker can be a great way to learn more about the latest developments in your field and to see what issues are currently being debated. Plus, a great speaker will be entertaining and engaging, giving you a whole new enthusiasm for your work. If you're hoping to get inspired by a great conference speaker in the field of economics, here are five of the very best speakers in the field: 1. Daniel Kahneman