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. Whilst 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.

One of the most fun parts about attending an academic conference – as well as all of the important research you'll hear about, of course – is having the opportunity to visit a new place. Conferences are held all over the world, but most often in large cities with good transport links that are well-known destinations. This makes going to a conference a fun way to travel! Conferences frequently take place in desirable locations which gives you a great excuse to get in some tourist activities or explore the local area while you're networking.

We often talk here about the importance of networking while you're at a conference. The opportunity to meet and discuss research with your fellow academics will help with your own work, and getting to know people in your industry will help you with job hunting and other career issues. You know about networking tips for conferences: talk to people after presentations, go to the conference social events, hand out your contact details to the people you meet, and so on.

For women, it can be a bit of a challenge to find appropriate clothes for a conference. In some disciplines, it would be expected for everyone to wear a suit, but for most fields a business-casual look is appropriate. But what does that mean in practical terms? Here's our advice on picking a conference outfit.

You've checked the program, you've prepared your slides, you've booked your accommodation, so now you're all ready to head off to your academic conference. Just one problem – you need to decide what you're going to wear and pack it before you leave. What is acceptable attire for a conference, and how can you make sure that what you're wearing is appropriate? We're here to help with our guide on what to wear to academic conferences. We've already covered what women should wear in a separate post, so today we're looking at tips for men.

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. But what information should this letter of motivation contain, and what's the best way to increase your chance of being accepted to present?

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

You know the saying: the devil is in the details. And this can be true when you're organising a conference too. Obviously, you need to think about the big issues: inviting speakers, finding an appropriate venue, deciding how many attendees to invite and so on. But there are also some small details which you should make sure to think about in order to make your event as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Here are ten small details to think about when organising a conference.

How to deal with anxiety at conferences 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.

Being invited to give your first talk at an academic conference is hugely exciting, but it can be nerve-racking too. Here are some tips to get you ready for your first conference presentation: