Works In Progress

Works in Progress sessions provide an opportunity for authors to share information regarding their research in an informal, conversational style and to receive feedback at early stages of the project. Both research and scholarly works are accepted. Proposals in this format will be evaluated on the basis of their potential to generate discussions that advance the field and provide opportunities to exchange feedback.

Works In Progress papers are grouped with 2-3 other papers that have similar content or foci in a 75-minute session. Each work in progress will have 20 minutes to discuss their work. Works in Progress Sessions will be moderated by a chair but will not feature a discussant. Presenters are encouraged to use 8-10 minutes to present their work followed by time to engage with audience members. Presenters are encouraged to end their presentations with prompts or questions for the audience. Each presenter will have up to 20 minutes for their presentation. Presenters are encouraged to create material providing an overview of their work, such as a very brief PowerPoint presentation and/or one-page handout, but should specifically focus on an overview of the project, purpose, and questions to engage the audience.

Arriving to Your Session (In-Person & Virtual) 

Locate your session’s room assignment in the Conference Program. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early for in-person, 10 minutes for virtual sessions.

Session Format (In-Person)

  • All Presenters MUST use the microphone, as must audience members who pose questions. There will be one microphone on the podium, one for each presenter, and one for the audience. If anyone is speaking and not using the microphone, the Chair will step in to ask them to use the microphone or repeat what was said; if the Chair does not step in, we encourage community accountability and ask for any attendee to step in to ask for usage of the microphone.
  • All Presenters must use the ASHE laptop provided in the meeting space for their presentation. We recommend uploading your presentation to a USB drive and then saving it onto the ASHE laptop desktop before your presentation.

Session Agenda (75 minutes) (In-Person & Virtual)

Works In Progress Sessions are 75-minutes long and feature Authors sharing their research in an informal, conversational style.
  1. The Chair introduces themself and acknowledges the place you are joining from (i.e., a land acknowledgment). Session Chair introduces the session and reviews the agenda/timing of the session (1-2 minutes). 
  2. Session Chair introduces Paper #1 and Presenters (1 minute) 
  3. Paper #1 (20 minutes).
  4. Session Chair introduces Paper #2 and Presenters (1 minute) 
  5. Paper #2 (20 minutes) 
  6. Session Chair introduces Paper #3 and Presenters (1 minute) 
  7. Paper #3 (20 minutes) 
  8. Session Chair facilitates Open Q&A (10 minutes).
NOTE: If only 2 presentations are assigned to a session, 30 minutes will be allocated to each Presenter. If there are four papers, then each Author will have 15 minutes.


Handout or PowerPoint Presentation (In-Person & Virtual)

We suggest you create a one-page overview of your paper. 
  • Use an easy-to-read font and layout (e.g., Times New Roman or Arial). Use at least a 14-point font.
  • Use high-contrast background and text colors (black text on white background).
  • Make sure your handout matches your presentation and add any references that may be helpful to your audience.
  • For in person: you can bring a few copies of this, share your email address with attendees and follow up afterward, or collect attendee emails to send after the presentation.
  • For virtual: you can share an accessibility checked document in the chat. 
NOTE: PowerPoint presentations are not required, but some presenters prefer to create a very brief deck vs. having a handout. 


Presentation Tips (In-Person & Virtual)

  • Keep your presentation simple and brief.
  • Determine the key points for your presentation and highlight them in your talk.
  • Speak slowly, clearly, and pause between topics, so attendees, captioners, and/or sign language interpreters can keep pace.
  • Avoid jargon, acronyms, and idioms, or explain acronyms, terms, names, etc., that you will use.
  • Summarize the main points at the end.
  • Have at least 3 questions to ask the attendees in the discussion to assist you with moving your work forward.
  • Have a pad of paper handy (for in-person presentations) to allow attendees who have more in-depth questions to provide you with their contact information. 
  • Distribute your business card (when in -person) as a way to network with other attendees, or share your contact information in the chat for virtual.