+ guidelines for oral presentations

Oral presentations are the centerpiece of the ISSW and offer an excellent opportunity to share your work and ideas with the international avalanche community. Moderators will host each session and introduce the theme, presenters, keep the session within the allotted time and lead the Q&As. 

Advances in Understanding Session Format

The 90 minute "Advances in Understanding" oral sessions are scheduled in the morning of each conference day for a total of 4 sessions. Each session has a general theme. The presentation slots will be either 10 or 12 min for a total of 6 or 7 talks. Each session will end with a 10-15 min Q&A with all presenters joining the stage. 

Avalanche Risk Management Session Format

The 75 minute "Avalanche Risk Management" oral sessions occur twice per day for a total of 8 sessions throughout the conference. These sessions are designed around common challenges and problems faced by the profession with a more practical presentation beginning the session, followed by more theoretical talks. The opening talk will be alloted 12 mins and the following talks are alloted 8 mins for a total of 7 talks.  Each session ends with a 10-15 min Q&A with all presenters joining the stage. 

Focus Session Format

The 75 minute "Focus" oral sessions occur once per day in the afternoon concurrently with some panel discussions for a total of 4 sessions. These sessions are designed around emerging areas of research and practice. The talks are alloted 8 mins for a total of 7 talks.  Each session ends with a 10-15 min Q&A with all presenters joining the stage. 

Panel Discussion Session Format

The "Panel Discussion" oral sessions occur once per day in the afternoon concurrently with the focused sessions for a total of 4 panels. These sessions are designed to be more interactive and discussion-based, and will be held in the Rainbow theatre (max 250 people). Presenters will likely give a short 5 mins introduction and first thoughts, followed by about 45 mins of lively discussion and interaction with the audience.  

Preparation

Please try and make your presentation as accessible to as many members of your audience as possible. A wide range of professional and academic experience exists within the ISSW community. The impact of your presentation will depend on your ability to use common language and to illustrate the relevance of your topic to the audience. 

Each presentation should strive to foster dialogue between researchers and practitioners. We encourage researchers to discuss the practical application of their topic and we encourage practitioners to discuss how research can help solve operational challenges. 

Please consider:

  • Prioritize core messages, key results, and practical applications, leaving technical details to your proceedings paper.

  • Keep the introductory slides about past work, contributions from others, and theory short (or omit completely!) and focus on your results.

  • Oral presentations are short (8-10 minutes), a maximum of 1 min per slide is often sufficient. Please rehearse to finish comfortably within your allotted

    window—moderators will strictly enforce timing and may mute microphones that run over.

  • Use text and equations sparingly and rather show photos and figures.

  • Use 18 font size or larger. Avoid wasting space on things that the audience can’t read. 

  • Join the end-of-session group panel on stage for all Q&A when directed by your moderator.

Slides & File Submission

  • Format using 16:9 widescreen (1920 × 1080) with standard fonts.

  • Presentations run from the conference system as PowerPoint (.pptx). Keynote is not supported — export to PowerPoint, or use your own Mac at the lectern (an input is provided).

  • Name your file Lastname_Firstname_Day_Time.pptx (e.g., Smith_Jane_Monday_1020.pptx).

  • Embed all video and audio directly into your slides.

  • Bring a USB with slides, media, and a PDF.

  • Morning presenters (talks before lunch): submit a USB at the A/V Desk by 6:00 PM the evening before.

  • Afternoon presenters (talks after lunch): submit a USB at the A/V Desk between 6:30 and 7:30 AM on session day.

  • Notify the technical desk in advance if you require an internet connection or specialized software.

Session & Stage Routine

  • Collect your wireless microphone at the A/V Desk (back-left of the main theatre).

  • Follow the marked hallway path to the Green Room without walking through the theatre seating.

  • Arrive at the Green Room at least 15 minutes before the session start time to check in with your moderator and silence devices.

  • Two comfort monitors show slides and presenter notes. Use the clicker and watch the moderator.

  • Sessions are recorded with a single camera.

  • Stay near the microphone; if you use a lapel microphone, limit wandering.

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