Program Information

Information on the different types of sessions offered at the NRC Annual Meeting:

Paper Sessions - include research reports and theoretical papers, and are generally comprised of three accepted papers grouped together into a session by the Area Chair, with each individual presenting for approximately 20 minutes. The final 30 minutes in the session are reserved for questions, discussion, and commentary by the discussant and audience.

Roundtable Sessions - allow for a brief paper presentation (approximately 10-15 minutes) followed by an audience discussion of issues raised in the paper. Roundtables are allotted a total of 40 minutes with two different sets of roundtables taking place within the traditional 90 minute timeslot.

Symposium Sessions - focus on significant issues representing a strong, unifying theme and should include discussants, as well as ample opportunity for audience participation. Symposia typically consist of a chair, three speakers, and a discussant and are scheduled for 90-minute time periods. Each speaker presents for approximately 20 minutes, with the final 30 minutes set aside for the discussant's comments and audience interaction.

Alternative Format Sessions - focus on significant research-based issues representing a strong, unifying theme. These 90-minute sessions are creative alternatives where presenters involve audience participants in activities such as small group discussions, media and technology simulations, or reading written reflections.

Study Groups - bring people together each day for a meeting to discuss ideas and research related to a specific topic. Study Groups meet each day (Wednesday-Saturday) of the Annual Meeting from 7:25a.m. – 8:25a.m.

Area Chairs Invited Sessions - these are sessions where the speakers have been invited to present by the Program Content Area Chairs. These sessions occur concurrently with other Annual Meeting sessions, attendance is open to all attendees, and advance registration is not required.

Program Chair Invited Sessions - these are sessions where the speakers have been invited to present by the 2009 Program Chair. These sessions occur concurrently with other Annual Meeting sessions, attendance is open to all attendees, and advance registration is not required.

Plenary Addresses - these are the major presentations of the Annual Meeting. These sessions occur in dedicated timeslots, attendance is open to all attendees, and advance registration is not required.