In the academic world, there are many opportunities to participate in events and each event has a different way of being held. Among these events is the colloquium.
Even though it shares some features with the most common events, such as congresses and symposia, the colloquium has particularities that differentiate it and need attention.
Thinking on that, we have set aside here 4 useful tips for you to understand how the colloquium works and what is the best way to carry it out.
1. What is a colloquium?
A colloquium is a scientific meeting, which seeks to promote a space for conversation between attendees and speakers. It is also a meeting to make decisions with the help of several researchers. These decisions can be made in a variety of ways, one of them is by dividing the attendees into small groups and after this meeting listening to the considerations.
The topic is decided before the event, being guided by the speaker. It can take place in the traditional way, in which the speaker only presents the topic; or in the form of a debate, opening up opportunities for audience participation. The colloquium may include in its program a presentation of academic papers, showing the findings on the discussed topic.
Colloquiums have a delimited target audience. Professionals or people interested in performing actions related to the topic discussed. Because the presence of people committed to the topic allows more qualified results, observing from the academic and practical point of view.
2. How is a colloquium different from other types of events?
The colloquium is an event that raises many questions for attendees and organizers because it looks like other events, the exposition of the chosen topic can get close to the format of a discussion table, which takes place in Congresses or academic weeks.
Another difference from the colloquium is that discussions on the topic can be held in small groups of event attendees, generating a greater understanding of the topic, seeking to listen to all attendees and thus obtain greater and more accurate feedback on the discussed topic.
Because it is specific in the topics, the colloquium is characterized as a more restricted meeting to researchers, students and professionals involved with the subject, than, for example, a Congress or journey, which attract, in addition to people involved, those interested in the proposed subject.
The duration of the academic events vary according to the format, for example, a Congress can be held in 2 days or 7 days. A minicourse builds up in 4 or 8 hours. The colloquium has an average duration of 1 day, divided into debate and conclusions.
3. How is it carried out?
In order to produce a colloquium the first thing you need to define is the topic. This topic will guide the entire colloquium script, from who you will invite to your target audience.
Script:
- Opening and welcoming attendees;
- Presentation of the components of the table, including the moderator; as well as the training and qualification of the speakers;
- Brief exposition of the subject topic as an introduction;
- Discussion of the topic, including audience participation;
- Meeting of the groups and presentation of the ideas discussed and the result obtained so that it is voted on by the audience.
4. Is it worth attending a colloquium?
Like other academic events, the colloquium aims to inform researchers and students about recent studies related to the central subject of the event. So if you want to learn about a specific topic, a colloquium is a great option.
Since the target audience is defined, the paper submissions are much more restricted. So, if you have that work that you only used in one class, the colloquium can be a good event to submit it.
The debates held in a colloquium are in small groups, favoring communication. By having a smaller number of people, ideas are well used to report the result of the discussion on the topic.
For your colloquium to be a reality, all that is left is for you to gather your team and start. After reading these tips, it will definitely get easier.
Have you ever organized a colloquium? Tell us how the production went and what difficulties you had.