1. How large is the poster space I can use at the conference?
Each poster presenter will be provided with a corked boards and push-pins.
The Poster boards are 48" w x 36" h (NOTE: change from previous years). There is no size requirement for your poster, but plese keep the board dimensions in mind when printing.
2. Can I submit something that I've submitted to another conference?
Yes. There is no copyright put on any materials submitted for the Jakobsen Conference. Our goal is to provide an opportunity to reward excellent graduate work at The University of Iowa, to provide a non-threatening environment to share ideas with fellow students, and to provide an experience to better prepare graduate students for professional presentations.
3. Can I submit more than one presentation to one or more divisions?
Yes, but only one can be eligible to be judged. Please CLEARLY indicate which submission you wanted judged.
4. I think I am interested, but what does a moderator do anyway?
Moderators play an important role on the day of the conference. Moderators help keep a session of presentations running smoothly and serve as student judges on the day of the conference. You would be committing ~ 75 minutes of your time for a single session. Tasks include introducing each speaker, monitoring time for each presentation and preventing people from going over, facilitating questions and generally promoting a collegial atmosphere. After each speaker is done speaking you will be asked to complete a very brief judging sheet and to collect any comment cards from the audience. Being a moderator for the Jakobsen Conference could be a nice addition to your CV, and provide you with some great experience for future that is not easily obtained elsewhere.
5. Who will be judging my submission?
If you choose to have your submission judged, they will be judged prior to the conference by three faculty judges. We will make every attempt to route your anonymous submission to at least one judge in your area. Students and Faculty will be judging presentations the day of the conference to determine your presentation skill level. All scores will be transformed into z-scores to minimize any potential bias between judges and to make the scores as fair and meaningful as possible without asking each judge to read every submission in their division (we would never get them to volunteer their time again!). If you are a student interested in judging, please contact one of the co-chairs.
6. Are the papers that we submit returned to us so that we can see the comments, if any, that the judges made?
The papers are not returned to you. However, the score sheets that the judges fill out have sections for comments. The score sheets contain comment sections for each scoring section. We encourage faculty to write comments as they review submissions. The comments are separated from the scores and returned to the students at the Conference. The papers are not returned per se, but you will get any comments from judges back.
7. Where do I download...?
The downloads section under "Quick Links" will take you to the download page that contains all available items for downloading (such as conference and blind coversheets, publicity posters, invites, previous programs, etc.)
8. Despite the instructions and guidelines, I am still unsure of what to submit (i.e. Do you have any examples for me to view)?
Yes, we have a few examples that are available for download. We have asked previous 1st place Division winners to provide us with a copy of what they submitted. The files are meant for your information only and are only to be used as a guide.
9. How can I help promote the Jakobsen Conference?
If you enjoy the conference as much as the organizers, you can help us out by telling your friends and family. While only University of Iowa Graduate Students are allowed to submit and present at the conference, we encourage active participation by undergraduates, parents, friends, and the community. Some publicity items are available in the downloads section. Feel free to download, print, send, and display them! Getting the word out is always a challenge.
10. I use a Macintosh (Apple) computer and cannot use all fields in the Adobe Fill-In-Forms! HELP!
With most Mac OS, the default PDF viewing program is called "Apple Preview." This program does not read the built-in java scripting that controls the interactive fields in the forms, therefore you will experience limited functionality. BE SURE THAT YOU OPEN THE PDF FILL-IN-FORMS IN ACROBAT READER! (To open a PDF with a different program, select the PDF document to open. Select Get Info in the File menu. In the Info window, click the tab: Open with. Use the dropdown menu to select Adobe Reader).
11. I am used to only having to submit an abstract for conferences in my field. Do I have to submit a written report/artist's statement?
If you choose to have your submission judged (qualifies you to win a monetary award from the Graduate College), then you must submit a written report/artist's statement. If you do not wish to have your work judged, then you are only required to submit an electronic abstract. This "issue" has been a great source of discussion among the conference co-chairs this year, and a study group will be formed at the conclusion of this year's conference to explore alternative ways to conduct the judging/submission/awards aspects for future Jakobsen Conferences.
12. I would like to attend and/or participate in the conference, however I have children and am unable to afford childcare expenses. Do you have any resources to help cover childcar expenses?
YES! We have coordinated an assistance program with Jane Holland from The University of Iowa Family Services. Family Services is able to provide financial assistance to cover the expense of childcare for students (both undergraduate and graduate) to attend/participate in the James F. Jakobsen Conference. Please see the application in the downloads section of the website and contact Jane Holland.
If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact us.
