The Conference has various types of presentations and meetings.
Morning countdown. A video and a panel interview session, preceding the plenary sessions, in which people talk about their experience of the conference.
Plenary sessions. These are usually held first thing in the morning and have three or four invited key note speakers. There are no concurrent sessions. One of the plenaries is the prestigious Rolleston Oration.
Major sessions. These are symposia-type sessions on major topics, and usually follow after the plenaries. There are usually three concurrent major sessions.
Symposium presentations. These are conventional chaired conference presentations, with each presentation up to 15 minutes including time for questions, and questions at the end of the session. This format is suitable for reporting of science and research, descriptions and analysis of practice and policy, or personal viewpoint and commentary.
Roundtable discussions. This format is suitable for topics where there is a diversity of opinion or evidence. They encourage a debate and a discussion between a panel of speakers and the audience. Each speaker generally has 5 minutes to introduce views, and confines initial argument to a few key points. The facilitator encourages the debate amongst the speakers and the audience.
‘Hypotheticals’ help the analysis of complex issues. Members of the panel - selected for their different viewpoints - are asked to tackle a hypothetical problem or scenario. A moderator poses challenging questions. This format is suitable for complex problems dealing with policy, legal and ethical issues.
Skills sharing and problem solving help the transfer of skills and practical solutions to common problems. The session addresses a key question or problem for policy or practice which is identified in advance. Presenters discuss how that problem has been solved in different settings. The audience is encouraged to participate.
Poster sessions. Selected posters dealing with similar topics are displayed together in the poster hall so that participants can read the poster before or after the session. Poster presenters make a 5 minute presentation highlighting key points from their poster, and the chairperson encourages the debate and the discussion with the audience.
Narrative and personal experience sessions. These enable participants to give accounts of their experiences in a narrative or storytelling format. Rooms are arranged informally.
Poster displays. Some material is best presented by a poster display, especially where there is substantial and complex data, or the use of graphical material such as photographs or resource materials (leaflets, educational posters etc.). Approximately 50% of the submitted abstracts are selected for the poster display. Posters are exhibited together in the poster hall.
Media displays. Presentation of video, internet, film and other media.
Satellite sessions are organised and/or sponsored by a special interest group. These are listed in the programme but there may be conditions concerning participation and a supplementary charge, and participants should check with the organisers of the session.
Rolleston award This special session is for the presentation of national and international awards for contributions to harm reduction.
Special interest sessions. Groups and individuals who wish to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the conference to meet and discuss may organise their own special interest meetings.
People wishing to organise a whole session on a particular topic are requested to contact the Programme Director (g.stimson@ic.ac.uk) in the first instance.