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Presenting at MSS

Presenting at MSS is an opportunity to share your research and experience with others. Please ensure that your conference presentation is accessible and inclusive for all participants by considering the guidelines below. By approaching every audience with the expectation of diversity, you can help to foster a more welcoming conference environment, support equitable participation, and create space for all attendees to engage meaningfully with the material.

Presentations

  • Use a high-contrast color scheme, such as black text on a white background. 
  • Use large fonts (44 point for titles, 36 point for information).
  • Keep textual information displayed on each slide to a minimum.
  • Use standard slide transitions and avoid decorative fillers.
  • Use closed caption while presenting. All videos shown should be captioned. Free closed captioning software is available online and is often built into presentation apps. You can find instructions for using closed captions in some common presentation apps by following the links below.
  • If you are offering handouts or referencing other materials, consider including QR codes at the beginning of your presentation that allow participants to access large print versions.

Speaking

  • When a microphone is available, use it. Do not ask if everyone can hear you without a microphone. Doing so often excludes hard of hearing participants.  If audience members do not have access to a microphone, repeat the questions into your microphone or repeat it with projected voice. Microphone/speaker combinations are available at the registration desk.
  • Always face your audience when speaking.
  • Speak at a moderate pace. 
  • Try to be specific as you point to items in your presentation. Rather than saying, “This,” refer to “this graph.” 
  • Briefly describe the important aspects of what you are displaying on the screen. 
  • Do not ask your audience to read information on your slides silently. If it’s central to your presentation, read it aloud or paraphrase.
  • If sign language interpreters are present, speak at a moderate pace. Do not slow down or pause for them to finish. Direct your attention to the participant, not to the interpreter.