At IABS 2026, both session types are developmental and supportive in nature, but they serve different purposes depending on the stage of the research.

Paper Presentation Sessions
These sessions are for papers that are more fully developed—often close to being ready for journal submission. Authors present their full work (typically including theory, methods, and findings), followed by time for questions and constructive feedback from the audience. The session is more structured and presentation-focused, with each paper given equal time for presentation and discussion.

Discussion Sessions
These sessions are designed for early-stage ideas or research projects that are still being shaped. Authors present briefly—usually for about 5 minutes—and then engage in a conversation with the audience. The goal is to explore and refine ideas, research questions, or potential directions. The format is more informal and interactive, with a strong focus on group discussion and developmental feedback.

In short:

• Paper Sessions = Presenting nearly finished work and receiving feedback on how to improve it for publication.

• Discussion Sessions = Sharing early ideas and engaging in conversation to help shape and strengthen the research.

Yes, most rooms during the conference will be equipped with a projector and screen.

You can prepare a power point presentation (or similar) to support your presentation. In some cases, your session chair might have indicated otherwise.

Please make sure to bring your presentation on a USB stick or your laptop as a back up.

We understand that having access to WiFi is essential. You can connect to the internet using the dedicated WiFi of the conference venue: Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel.

No, there will not be a printed program distributed on site.

Some participants may choose to print the program at home or save it as a PDF. Any last minute changes will be notified by email. So we strongly recommend checking the conference email regularly right before and during the conference.

The conference venue is located at Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel 5 Avenue of the Arts, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
(Located directly across from the Rhode Island State House and a 5-minute walk from Providence Station.)

Please see the section - “How to get to the conference venue” above.

Also, please wear your conference badge at all times—it serves as your access pass to all events of the conference. Thus, upon arrival, check in at the registration desk to collect your badge and welcome materials.

No, sessions will not be recorded. IABS values open and developmental dialogue, and we want participants to feel comfortable sharing work-in-progress. We encourage everyone to take notes and connect directly with presenters for further discussion.

This is also not possible due to GDPR regulations.

Out of courtesy, please make sure to obtain the consent of others before making pictures (for example of their slides) or (partially) recording their presentations.

Welcome to your first IABS conference! You’re joining such a a supportive and collaborative community of scholars that will -for sure- remain your academic home for the years to come.

IABS is known for its friendly, developmental atmosphere—whether you’re presenting or attending, you’ll find others genuinely interested in engaging with your work and ideas.

To make your experience smoother, each Newcomer is matched with a Returning IABS Participant. This is only possible if you have indicated your matching preferences when you registered for the conference.

Your host will help you navigate the conference, introduce you to others, and answer any questions you may have. It’s a great way to feel at home from the start.

Yes! Breakfasts, coffee breaks and lunches are included in your registration fee and will be served on-site. The detailed schedule—including meal times and locations—can be found in the conference program.

Student volunteers will be available in each session room to assist with technology or general questions. You can also visit the registration desk for any support you may need.

IABS 2026 is an in-person conference, and we expect all presenters to attend on site. If an emergency arises and you cannot attend, please notify the organizing team and your session chair as soon as possible.

Yes. Presenters are eligible to publish conference papers or summaries in the IABS Proceedings. If you will be convening a symposium or workshop, you are also entitled to publish summaries of your session.

To learn more about the conference proceedings, please visit: https://www.iabs.net/proceedings

First of all, thank you for serving as a Session Chair! Your role is essential in ensuring the session runs smoothly, on time, and provides a positive, developmental experience for all presenters.

As Session Chair, your main responsibilities include:

• Welcoming and introducing the presenters

• Managing time so that each presenter gets their fair share and the session ends on schedule

• Moderating the session by facilitating discussion and audience questions

• Ensuring a constructive tone, aligned with IABS’s developmental spirit

If you're chairing a Paper Presentation Session, presenters will be sharing more developed work, and you’ll need to coordinate presentation order and time allocation.

If you're chairing a Discussion Session, expect earlier-stage ideas. These sessions are more conversational, and your role will be to encourage open feedback and inclusive participation.