How to Network at Academic Conferences

by Jihye Hong

As a graduate student, you’ll definitely have the chance to attend an academic conference at some point—whether to share your research with the scientific community or deepen your knowledge. Conferences are a great opportunity to realize how many people are deeply invested in your field and how much you can learn from them. I still remember the excitement of my first conference in the U.S. I was visiting Michigan for the first time and finally presenting my early research findings as a poster presentation. But I didn’t think much about networking—whether I should or how to do it. During the five days of the conference, I spent all my coffee breaks, lunch hours, and even the time between the sessions internally panicking. Though I was outgoing back home in Korea, working alone on a research project for a year or two made me more introverted. I was also nervous about speaking in English, and I felt a lot of pressure to ask questions that would show I truly understood people’s research. As a result, despite meeting a few new people from all over the U.S., many of my conversations ended up being awkward. After attending a few more conferences, I realized that networking at a conference is much more formal and intentional than casually meeting a friend of a friend in your neighborhood. Now, I’d like to share some tips I’ve learned through trial and error. It is like dating for the first time—reading about it won’t fully prepare you for the experience, but knowing what to expect and preparing mentally can save you from the panic I went through. So, let’s walk through some ideas.
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1. Communicating with Presenters
   As you listen to a talk, come up with one or two questions. I know it can sometimes be tough to follow a presentation that's outside your field. However, that works in your favor! It’s new, so you can come up with questions just by trying to get the basics. You can ask during the Q&A or chat with the speaker after the session. Try something like, "Hi, I really enjoyed your talk on X. I’m working on something similar to Y, and I was wondering what you think about Z."
   When talking to poster presenters, take a few minutes to quickly skim their posters and figure out what they’re trying to convey. Posters usually contain condensed research, so asking the presenter to explain it can make things clearer—plus, they’re usually ready to give a brief explanation. If you don’t know where to start, simply ask, “Could you give me a brief overview of your research?” From there, the conversation will flow naturally. And once it does, feel free to ask follow-up questions.
   By the way, worried about speaking in English? Don’t be. Science is our shared language, and from a presenter’s perspective, any question is appreciated. Just engage with confidence—that’s all that matters.
   
   
2. Running Into Someone
   Preparation is key. Have a brief, clear two- to three-sentence introduction about your research ready. Be proactive—don’t wait around! At some point, you’ll bump into someone. Just say 'Hi!' first and introduce yourself. Most people are eager to connect, so they’ll appreciate the initiative. When you start the conversation, ask about their research and show genuine interest. 
   When it’s your turn, explain your work in an engaging way and be ready to answer any questions enthusiastically. If you see potential for collaboration or future discussions, exchange contact details like email or LinkedIn. This will help you maintain connections beyond the conference.
   
   
3. Conversing Naturally at Informal Gatherings
   As an international student, I’ve found that the most common topic for small talk is the weather. It’s an easy icebreaker! You can talk about the weather at the conference location or ask about their home city or research institution. Also, asking about the area itself is a great conversation starter—maybe you’ll visit someday or even consider working there.
   Ask questions that will encourage your conversation partner to share more, like: "What year are you in?", "How is your research going?", "What are your career plans?" or "How do you unwind during breaks?" Even if the conversation is awkward at first, it will gradually become more natural, and you'll build rapport.
   
   

And last but not least-- make sure to get plenty of rest after each day’s schedule! Recharge your social battery and stay energized.
The more conferences you go to, the easier it gets to network. While meeting new researchers may feel exciting and intimidating at the same time at first, keep in mind that you’ll only spend about 5-10 days per year at these events, assuming you attend one or two conferences annually. So, make the most of the opportunities ahead, and if you found any of my tips helpful or discovered new ones, feel free to share them in the comments!