Q&A as Dialogue

For many, the Q&A session is just as stressful as the actual presentation itself. I think a lot of the fear at this point comes from an unhelpful approach to the Q&A as a kind of examination of the presenter’s knowledge, which in turn is a reflection of their merit as a member of the community they are presenting to. Although posturing is a part of the Q&A, it’s important to approach it as an opportunity, rather than an examination.

I addressed some ways to deal with stage-freight in sec-stage-freight.

The Q&A is, when done well, a time for public discussion. It’s not only for professors and senior staff to show off their knowledge and try to make the presenter look bad. Approached in this way, we can begin to appreciate meaningful, difficult and critical questions!

Your group/department knows you, your lab and your field the best, so they can ask meaningful, difficult and critical questions. Pay attention to these questions!. This is a low risk, safe space, so use the opportunity to learn about the holes and problems with your work. It’s better to find out now than when you’re at a conference or at publication time.

This is also an opportunity to get inspired about new research avenues and potential collaborations.