ECR rehearsal & feedback session at APA 2024

Kathmandu, Nepal, 26 November 2024

The IUSSP Panel on Early Career Perspectives organized a preparatory flash session on 26 November 2024 for presenters registered for the Asian Population Association (APA) Conference in Kathmandu, Nepal. This initiative aimed to create a supportive and informal platform where participants could present their research, receive constructive feedback, and refine their presentations ahead of the main event. By offering this opportunity, the session provided a space for presenters to enhance their work and confidence without the pressure of a formal conference setting. There were 40 participants in the workshop, of whom 9 gave a presentation.

The session adhered to a structured format to maintain focus and clarity. Each participant followed a concise five-slide presentation format, emphasizing the most critical aspects of their research. Presenters were allotted 7-10 minutes to share their findings, followed by a 10- minute feedback session. This format encouraged participants to distill their research into its essential components, ensuring clarity and precision. The feedback sessions provided a rich environment for discussion, helping presenters refine their work based on expert insights.

A distinguished panel of senior researchers and early-career professionals provided comprehensive feedback, offering a well-rounded perspective. The senior researchers included Dr. Reiko Hayashi, President of the APA, and Dr. K. S. James, Vice President of the APA, both of whom brought invaluable insights based on their extensive experience in the field. Complementing their expertise were early-career panelists who offered diverse perspectives from various stages and career paths. These panelists included Dr. Kajori Banerjee, Assistant Professor at the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata; Dr. Punit Mishra, Lead of Partnerships at Population Council India, who brought an industry perspective with experience in government collaborations and policy analysis; and Ms. Ekaterina Zhelenkova, a final-year Ph.D. scholar at the Vienna Institute of Demography. Ms. Zhelenkova's presence resonated closely with the presenters, as she shared similar experiences and challenges, making her feedback particularly relatable.

The event took place at the Central Department of Population Studies, Tribhuvan University. It began with an engaging session on effective research communication, where panel members shared their insights on key aspects of delivering impactful research findings. They discussed concepts such as clarity, conciseness, simplicity, and the logical flow of information. The panelists emphasized the importance of selecting relevant examples and ensuring their contextual accuracy. They also addressed common issues in scientific reporting, including over-interpretation, misleading statements, and the Hawthorne effect. Additionally, the panelists highlighted the significance of storytelling and sequential information delivery in enhancing audience engagement. Drawing from their personal experiences, they provided practical frameworks for evaluating the clarity and coherence of research presentations and articles.

The flash session featured ten presentations, each lasting 15-20 minutes, including the feedback portion. Presenters came from esteemed institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay; the International Institute for Population Studies; the Vienna Institute of Demography; and Tribhuvan University. The research topics covered a wide range of demographic and health-related issues, including anemia and child nutrition, antenatal care services, multistate fertility models, fertility interventions, female empowerment, and diabetes research.

During the feedback sessions, presenters received valuable insights that addressed various aspects of their research. The panelists offered guidance on refining research questions, strengthening conceptual frameworks, and considering potential confounding factors within their models. They also suggested alternative analytical techniques to enhance the robustness of their findings. This diverse and comprehensive feedback allowed participants to view their work from multiple angles, fostering both academic rigor and practical relevance.

Overall, the flash session successfully created a collaborative and supportive environment for early-career researchers to refine their presentations. The combination of senior expertise and peer-level insights provided participants with a holistic perspective, enhancing the quality of their research and presentation skills. By offering a space for constructive feedback and meaningful dialogue, the session equipped presenters with greater confidence and a polished presentation for the main APA Conference. 

Many thanks to the IUSSP Panel on Early Career Perspectives and in particular to Mayanka Ambade for organizing this event!