Conference Session Chairing

Conference Session Chairing is a leadership and management skill for Zambian tertiary students and early-career researchers. This topic covers the roles, responsibilities, and best practices for chairing scientific sessions, including preparation, time management, speaker introductions, audience engagement, and handling unexpected situations. Students learn to coordinate speakers, manage Q&A, ensure smooth flow, and maintain professional decorum. Emphasis is placed on pre-session communication, timekeeping tools, contingency planning, and ethical facilitation. For Zambian university graduates, this skill enhances professional visibility, networking, and organizational capability within academic and scientific communities. It supports career development in research management, conference organization, and leadership roles in Zambia’s growing higher education and scientific sectors.