If you are considering volunteering as a panel chair or discussant, you might find it helpful to read about the experience of Naíde Müller (Catholic University of Portugal), who served as a Panel Chair in one of the Participatory Communication Research Section sessions at a recent IAMCR conference. In this interview, she explains what the role involves, the benefits she gained from taking it on, and practical advice for first-timers. Her reflections offer a personal complement to the tips above and can help you gain confidence before chairing your first session.
Firstly, what is involved in being a Panel Chair? How much work does it require?
Being a Panel Chair at an IAMCR conference involves reading the abstracts and getting a general sense of the panel's theme ahead of time. During the session, your main responsibilities are to briefly introduce the presenters, keep track of time, and moderate the Q&A discussion, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the atmosphere remains respectful and engaging. It’s not an overwhelming amount of work, but it does require active listening, some time management, and a sense of group facilitation. More than anything, it’s a wonderful opportunity to practice soft leadership and interpersonal communication in an academic yet friendly environment.
What would you say are some of the benefits to being a Panel Chair at an IAMCR conference?
In addition to the intellectual stimulation of closely engaging with diverse presentations, being a Panel Chair is an excellent opportunity to get to know your colleagues’ work more deeply, discover emerging research areas, and build meaningful professional connections.
It’s also a chance for informal but valuable networking, where you can create bridges for future collaborations. And, of course, it’s a moment to sharpen your interpersonal communication skills in a context that is both professional and kind, with the inclusive, international spirit that IAMCR is known for.
What advice would you have for people considering putting their hand up to be a Panel Chair for the first time?
If you're thinking about volunteering as a Panel Chair for the first time, my advice is: go for it – and enjoy the experience! You don’t need to be an expert on every paper’s topic. What matters most is that the session runs smoothly, respectfully, and on time. Prepare a short note with the presenters’ names, affiliations, and titles, maybe think of one or two backup questions in case the audience is quiet, and then let the rest flow naturally. Remember, your role is to facilitate, not dominate. And above all, see this as a chance to learn, grow, and contribute to the positive energy of the conference.