What is a symposium?

This article is the ultimate guide to all information regarding symposiums.

We'll be discovering what they are and the different types of symposiums found in the academic world.

So without further ado, let us delve into the world of symposiums.

What is a symposium?

In the academic conference sphere, and for the time being, we will treat a symposium as interchangeable with a conference (we will cover that later); a symposium could be loosely described as a mini-conference within a conference.

They are sometimes also known as panels, workshops, sessions or roundtables.

Along with workshops and breakout rooms, symposia usually occur within a conference but can also be standalone events.

Essentially, they are a form of discussion among a small group of people who have come together to discuss a specific topic or the latest developments in their field.

They are typically a one-off event but can also be annual. The emphasis is on the event being smaller, intimate, and focused on a more specific or singular topic.

If a topic or research piece requires an "in-depth" discussion and exchange of ideas from experts within the field and a few attendees, then a symposium would be better suited for this occasion.

The history of symposiums

It’s the Ancient Greeks we have to thank for creating symposiums.

Back in the 7th century BC, the Greeks would host parties in their homes that included food, drink, and singing, very similar to parties of the 21st century.

However, the main purpose was for the men (typically the highest class in Greek society) to come together and discuss various topics, including politics, philosophy, the latest news, and poetry; et voilà, symposiums were born.

Often, the homes that hosted these Greek symposiums would have a dedicated room for the event, with plush sofas arranged purposefully around the room so each person could see one another during discussion. Typically, a chair was nominated by the attendees.

Often, scenes from symposia are depicted on traditional black-and-red pottery.

What is the purpose of a symposium?

The purpose of a symposium is to typically allow experts in a given field to meet, discuss papers/topics in question, and examine the issues and trends associated with the topic.

From these discussions, solutions and recommendations can develop for the next step to be actioned

The findings from a symposium can help others in the field of research and, if applicable, withstand testing. Alternatively, this exchange can stimulate others to seek new knowledge and findings within their sector.

Essentially the purpose is to facilitate the free exchange of information.

Who is involved with a symposium?

There are a couple of different formats a symposium can take.

A symposium usually has a Chair (often the symposium submitter) and a discussant. The discussant's role is to read the papers and use their expertise to explore how they advance and further the symposium's topic.

Symposia vs Symposium

Often, symposia are mistaken for being different from a symposium, as if they were another form of this type of event. But this is far from true.

In fact, symposia is simply the plural of symposium.

What are the different types of a symposium?

So we have discussed what a typical symposium entails: a presenter and a panel discuss research or a topic within their specialised field.

However, there are other ways they can work. For example, a symposium can be organised solely to peer-review submissions.

In this instance, a submission group (a group of researchers) has worked on a project together and collectively submitted their work for review by their peers at a symposium.

In this setting, the reviewers can discuss the findings, suggest ways to improve, and advise on the next step in their work on the project.

In a conference setting, peer reviews typically happen internally beforehand by the conference organisers to decide who is successful at being awarded a session for presenting.

What is the difference between a symposium and a conference?

On the surface, they can appear very similar, but in essence, they are very different.

Conferences

Conferences tend to be:

• On a larger scale

• With many speakers and exhibitors

• They can be an annual event

Their speakers can range from:

• Academics to celebrities

• Students

• Career researchers

• Specialist guests invited to speak

Conferences often last a few days to a week, as much information is being presented.

They typically follow a "sessions" format, with various types of sessions presented across the entire event.

These sessions can include (as stated earlier):

• Poster sessions

• Presentations

• Speakers

• Discussions and panels

• Symposiums

• Workshops

Due to the size of these events, the sessions will be timetabled and run concurrently. Allowing for more than one session to be in progress at any time.

Otherwise, a conference would go on for weeks, and that is before accounting for the number of attendees.

Symposiums

As we have already discussed, symposia are on a much smaller scale than conferences.

They can be:

• Hosted within a conference or on their own

• Their formats are more precise and focused on one topic and are usually discussed by a panel.

Their duration is much shorter than that of a conference, lasting from a couple of hours to a day, compared to week-long conferences.

A symposium's intention is slightly different to that of a conference. They are designed to facilitate discussion of the latest research or submitted abstracts.

Attendees can then go away and further research the findings, or adapt them or the research methods into their work.

To have your work spoken about at a symposium, you'll need to submit your research, for example, as part of a group of researchers. If chosen, your findings will be discussed by the presenter and panel hosting the symposium.

Alternatively, symposiums could involve you:

• Submitting your work

• You becoming the presenter of the symposium (if your work is chosen)

• Presenting your findings and discussing them with other professionals within your industry that are on the panel

The presenters and the panel of a symposium will be experts within their field and come from various institutions and a range of backgrounds. Thus, allowing for a broad but detailed discussion with opinions from across the specialised field.

In contrast, at a conference you get a mix of speakers, including guest speakers and industry thought leaders, or "celebrities".

Papers submitted to symposia are grouped under a specific submission theme, whereas a conference hosts various topics within a sector. Meaning more ideas are covered in a conference, but there are more detailed discussions within a symposium.

So remember, a symposium is excellent for discussing research with your peers and implementing your findings in further research, etc., and a conference is a great way to share your research findings with the world.

So, what's your next challenge? A symposium or speaking at a conference?

If you're new to speaking at a conference, we have a guide with eight great tips to help you prepare and present. You can find it here.