For the Mercian 26 Conference, we have three different session types that speakers can run. This is to bring versatility to the conference and to introduce some beginner-friendly sessions for those who have never been a speaker before. Below is detailed information about each session type but if you have further questions about these, please do let the team know by emailing us on mercianconference@gmail.com.
The Session Types
- Workshops (60 minute timeslot)
- 20 Minute Presentations (30 minute timeslot)
- Table Discussions (15 minute timeslot)
Workshops
Outline
An interactive session designed for examination of, hands-on practice with, or collaborative work on a specific theme or topic that develops tangible and practical outputs or take-aways.
Proposal
Along with the central theme, proposals should set out the following:
- Intended learning outcomes
- Collaborative elements: how delegates will work together in the session
- The nature of participation (skills-based, discussion-based, hands on, problem solving, etc.)
- Outputs: what will be produced as a result of the workshop; what will delegates come away with?
- Areas of library functional interest (target audience): e.g. customer service, collections, teaching and learning, strategic.
Session Structure (60 minutes)
The session will begin with no more than 20 minutes of core content, designed to introduce the topic, explain key concepts, and provide practical examples or demonstrations.
This should be followed by at least 25 minutes of structured collaborative activity, which could, for example, be made up of combinations of the following:
- Small-Group Activity
- Based around a question or scenario
- Hands-On Applied Exercise
- A short, structured activity: e.g., drafting a mini-plan, evaluating a dataset, applying a method, designing a workflow.
- Whole-Group Discussion & Sharing
- To summarise emerging themes, draw connections to session goals.
This portion should be interactive to keep participants engaged and help them apply the ideas being presented.
This will be followed by a wrap-up of 10 minutes to summarise the findings or explore how the material applies to delegates own context and raise any additional ideas or challenges.
The final 5 minutes are allocated for transition, allowing participants to wrap up conversations, note any final takeaways, and move comfortably to the next session without disruption to the schedule.
Takeaways from the Session By the end of the session, participants should:
- Understand the core concepts and key messages presented.
- Be able to identify practical ways to apply the ideas or methods in their own work or context.
- Leave with at least one actionable insight or tool they can implement after the workshop.
Pre-Reading (Optional)
Participants may be asked to complete brief pre-reading before attending the session. This could include:
- A short article or briefing note introducing the topic.
- A case study or example relevant to the session theme.
- One or two guiding questions to reflect on before attending.
The pre-reading should take no more than 10–15 minutes and is intended to provide basic context so that the workshop time can focus on deeper discussion and application rather than introductory explanation.
Presentations
Outline
A traditional conference style presentation around a theme, topic or case study example, with the opportunity for a brief Q&A on the ideas or work presented.
Session Structure (30 minutes)
The session will begin with 20 minutes of core content, providing a clear overview of the topic and highlighting the most important concepts, examples, or insights. Given the shorter format, the content should focus on a small number of key points and aim to give participants a working knowledge rather than an in-depth exploration.
This will be followed by 5 minutes for questions, allowing participants to clarify the main ideas and briefly discuss how the content may relate to their own work or interests.
The final 5 minutes are allocated for transition, giving participants time to conclude the session and move comfortably to the next activity without disrupting the overall schedule.
Takeaways from the Session
By the end of the session, participants should:
- Have a clear understanding of the main idea or concept presented.
- Be aware of why the topic is relevant or useful.
- Leave with one or two practical insights they can explore further if they wish.
Pre-Reading
No pre-reading is required for these sessions. The content is designed to be accessible and self-contained, allowing participants to engage fully without needing prior preparation.
Table Discussions
Outline
These short table discussions are designed to encourage quick idea sharing, gather feedback, and allow participants to reflect on a specific topic in a relaxed, informal setting. The discussions are intentionally light-touch and surface level, focusing on collecting perspectives rather than exploring topics in depth.
Session Structure (15 minutes)
Each table discussion will focus on one clear topic or prompt. A facilitator or table lead will briefly introduce the topic and pose a guiding question to the group. Participants will then spend the majority of the time sharing thoughts, examples, or experiences related to the prompt.
The aim is to encourage open conversation and a range of viewpoints, rather than reaching a formal conclusion. Where relevant, a few key points or ideas may be captured to help inform future projects, teaching approaches, or initiatives.
Example Discussion Topics
- A new teaching method or classroom activity
- Feedback on a proposed project or initiative
- Ways to improve student engagement
- Approaches to assessment or feedback
- Use of digital tools in teaching
Example Discussion Prompt
Topic: Student Engagement in Short Teaching Sessions
Question: “What is one simple technique you use to keep students engaged during shorter teaching sessions, and what challenges do you face?”
Participants can briefly share their experiences, ideas, or suggestions with others at the table.
Pre-Reading
No pre-reading is required. The discussion is designed to be accessible and conversational, allowing participants to contribute based on their own experiences and perspectives.
