We welcome you as a Short Course or Session Chair / Co-Chair for DISSS2026!
April 1, 2026 – Collect all presentations
We hope the following information and processes will make session organization and communications easy for you.
To ensure we have the most accurate and up-to-date information for Short Courses and Parallel Sessions please utilizing the shared Google document. The website and event materials will be developed and updated using this information. Please email Judy Adkins if you would like the link re-sent to you.
All Short Courses and Parallel Sessions are listed on our website Program Page.
Additionally, your Short Course or Session can be found on one of the following pages:
Day 1 Short Courses
Day 2 Parallel Sessions
Day 3 Parallel Sessions
Please do not hesitate to reach out to Judy Adkins with any operational questions you may have.
Thank you for sharing your expertise to make DISS2026 a success!
Submitting Short Course & Session Information
All Chairs will be responsible for submitting and updating Short Course and Session information thorough the Google document link that is provided.
Please add the following information to the Google document template by December 1, 2026:
- Session Co-Chair
- Session title & abstract
- Presenters & contact information
- Discussants & contact information
- Talk titles with abstracts
- Presenters short biography
If you have updates to your session information please update the Google document and notify Judy Adkins by email that a change has been made.
Changes will then be added to the website and other organizational materials. Please review your Short Course or Session information regularly for accuracy.
Navigating the Google Document
The Google document is a working document to consolidate all current information in one place for easy reference and website updates. This helps track progress and ensure nothing is missed.
- Navigation has been added to the Google document.
Please see the navigation bar on the left side of the document under “Index – Chair”.
Tabs and section headings are linked to help you quickly find your Short Course or Session in the document. - A “Notice” has been placed at the top of the document to guide you on how to use the navigation features.
- To make changes or updates to your session, such as speaker changes, abstract updates, or other changes directly edit the document, put the changes in red or bold print and email Judy Adkins that edits have been made.
- Speaker titles, abstracts and bios will be be entered in the Google document.
You will print or download the speaker bio’s to introduce speakers at your session. - Short Course / Session Date and Time
Short Course and Session dates and times are indicated on the program page of the DISS website. Your session and link to your webpage is in your section of the Google Document.
Submitting Presentation Materials
Session Chair Responsibilities
As a Session Chair, you play a vital role in ensuring the smooth flow of presentations and discussions. Please review the following responsibilities and guidelines carefully to help make the symposium successful.
Presentation Materials
- Collect all presentation materials for your session a week before the symposium.
- Submit the final version of all presentations to Judy Adkins by Friday, April 3, 2026. We need to have a back-up copy of all final presentations on file.
- Please label presentations with the session number, presenter, and session title. Example: S2A_JohnChang_Session Title xxxxxxxx
- Bring all session presentations (either in PDF or PowerPoint) on a USB drive to the symposium.
- You will run presentations from the desk at the front of the room using the provided AV equipment.
- Important: Presentations cannot be downloaded to the AV equipment—a USB drive is required.
Bio-Sketches
- Collect presenter bio-sketches and add them to the shared Google document.
- Chairs will bring a copy of the bio-sketches to the session by printing or downloading the document.
- Do not rely on the web version during the session (possible connection issues).
- Note: Printed copies will not be provided by the symposium.
Slide Sharing Permissions
- During registration, presenters will indicate if they allow their slides to be shared.
- Slides with permission will be uploaded to a Duke Box folder after the symposium for attendees who request them.
- Chairs will ensure that all FINAL versions of presentations have been submitted.
Presenting the Short Course or Session
To ensure presentations start on time and run smoothly we are providing the following guidance:
- Please arrive to the Short Course or Session room at least 15-30 minutes prior to the start of your session.
- The Chair will ensure all presenters arrive on time, are ready to present and assist them as needed.
- Please have all presenters sit at the front of the room near the AV desk. Water will be available for presenters.
- A symposium/AV volunteer will be available in each room to guide you on usage of the AV equipment and slide advancer. They are here to assist you with any last-minute questions or issues that may arise, but please inform us in advance if you have any questions.
- Bring presentations (either in PDF or PowerPoint format) on a USB drive.
- You will run presentations from the desk at the front of the room using the provided AV equipment.
- Important: Presentations cannot be downloaded to the AV equipment—a USB drive is required.
- A screen is located at the back of the presentation room for speakers to easily view their presentations.
- At the beginning of the session, the Chair or Co-chair will introduce each speaker using the biographies they brought.
- At the end of the session, please provide a wrap up and thank speakers.
- We understand presenters often have last minute additions to presentations/slides. If they do you will need to ensure the FINAL copy of the presentation is sent to Judy Adkins.
Kindly let us know if you should need anything else while at the symposium by contacting staff at the registration table.
