BRAIS 2019: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is BRAIS 2019 taking place?
A: BRAIS 2019 is taking place in the Teaching and Learning Hub on the University Park Campus of the University of Nottingham, about 3 miles to the west of Nottingham city centre. The Teaching and Learning Hub is number 62 at the centre of the University Park map HERE. Accommodation will be in Cavendish Hall, which is at the far left on the University Park map, just to the lower left of number 55.
Q: How do I get to the University of Nottingham, University Park by train or coach?
A: The Nottingham rail and National Express coach stations are immediately next to each other in the Nottingham city centre. Standing taxis are available from the stations to University Park for about £10. Or take the tram in the direction of Toton Lane to the University of Nottingham stop (and walk about 10 minutes to the Teaching and Learning Hub) or to the University Boulevard stop (and walk about 10 minutes to Cavendish Hall). Both tram stops are indicated by name on the lower side of the University Park map HERE.
Q: How do I get to the University of Nottingham, University Park, by air?
A: East Midlands Airport is the closest airport, but it may be difficult to find a suitable flight. Birmingham airport is usually the next best option, with Manchester and London airports also possibilities. Full guidance on air travel is found HERE.
Q: How do I get to the University of Nottingham, University Park, by car?
A: The University of Nottingham is easily accessible via the M1. From Junction 25 of the M1, take the A52 east about 6 miles to the University Park campus. Those coming by car need to obtain a parking voucher or use the Pay and Display machines on campus. To arrange a parking voucher, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. well in advance of the conference. See the MAP of University Park for car parks. The car park in the centre of the map above number 16 is closest to the Teaching and Learning Hub (the conference venue). To enter the campus, use the University Park north entrance (Satnav code: NG7 2RD).
Q: How do I register as a delegate for BRAIS 2018?
A: Please see HERE.
Q: Is accommodation available for conference delegates?
A: Accommodation will be provided for those who have paid for residential packages at Cavendish Hall, Beeston Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2QL. No dinner will be served on Sunday evening. Dinner on Monday evening will be halal). Those wishing to stay for additional nights will have to make their own arrangements. Those who have not booked residential packages will also have to make their own accommodation arrangements. The De Vere Orchard Hotel and the Travelodge Nottingham Wollaton Park are within walking distance of the conference venue, and there is a wide selection of hotels in centre city Nottingham.
Q: What will it cost to attend BRAIS 2019?
A: Information on attendee and registration fees is available HERE.
Q: Can the conference registration payment be made by invoice or must a credit card be used?
A: Payment must be made online using a credit or debit card. We cannot issue invoices. Once you have made your payment you will receive a digital receipt via the email address you provided.
Q: What happens if I have registered but can no longer attend the conference? Can I get a refund?
A: If this happens to you, please contact the BRAIS Administrator, Nadin Akta: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. BRAIS can refund delegates up until two weeks before the start of the conference (Sunday 1st April). After this date, no refunds will be possible.
Q: I want to book my accommodation via BRAIS. How many occupants can the rooms accommodate?
A: The rooms we are offering are single ensuite only. We do not have access to rooms which accommodate more than one person. If you require a room that accommodates more than one person you will need to make your own accommodation arrangements.
Q: When I arrive at the conference, where should I come?
A: On Sunday, 14 April, arrival, accommodation check-in and registration are in Cavendish Hall between 15:00 and 23:30 (arrivals after 23:30 must inform the conference organizers at least three days in advance). Note that no dinner will be served on Sunday evening. On Monday and Tuesday, 15 and 16 April, arrival and registration are in the Teaching and Learning Hub.
Q: How long should my paper last?
A: Papers on panels with four presenters should last no more than 15 minutes. Papers on panels with three presenters should last no more than 20 minutes. All papers should be presented consecutively, with discussion of all papers taking place at the end.
Q: What should I consider in preparing my paper?
A:
- Make one new argument, not more. Be concise and to the point.
- Write the paper as an oral communication. Signpost to help listeners follow the argument.
- Practice the paper to make sure it is clear and coherent and stays well within the time limit (15 minutes for a paper on a four presenter panel).
- PowerPoint presentation facilities will be available. With PowerPoint, less is more. Make sure the font size is easily visible (at least size 26) and the layout is simple and logical. Also, make sure your visual presentation supports your oral presentation, not detracts from it. Avoid overloading slides with excessive information.
For further guidance on conference presentations, see:
James Gelvin, ‘Preparing and Delivering Conference Papers’
Mary E. Hunt, ‘Be Brief, Be Witty, Be Seated’
Devin Stewart, ‘Suggestions for Presenting a Conference Paper at IQSA’
Julie J. Kilmer, ‘Student Guide to Presenting at the AAR’
Q: I will be using a Powerpoint when giving my paper. Do I need to submit this in advance?
A: No. If you are giving a paper at the conference and will be using Powerpoint, please bring your presentation with you on a memory stick. The university technicians will not be able to assist with private laptops. All the machines will be PCs.
Q: Are we expected to submit our paper in advance, to share it without fellow panellists or to circulate it after the conference?
A: No. You may wish to do so, but it is not a requirement for participating in the conference.
Q: I am chairing a panel. What should the panel format be?
A: The primary role of the panel chair is to keep time in the interest of fairness to all presenters and the audience. Each panel session is 90 minutes. The presentation time allocated for each paper on a four presenter panel is 15 minutes. Papers on panels with three presenters may run to 20 minutes. We recommend that papers be presented together in the first 60 minutes, leaving 30 minutes for discussion with the audience at the end. This ensures that all presenters receive their full allocation of time to present before turning to audience questions, and it facilitates integrative discussion across the papers.
Q: Where will the publisher exhibition be?
A: The publisher exhibition will be in the Teaching and Learning Hub, on the same floor as the conference sessions.
Q: Will there be WiFi access?
A: Yes. Visitor wifi access is available as detailed in the Nottingham Conferences delegate brochure, p. 5, HERE. Eduroam is also available.
Q: Will there be a prayer room available during the conference?
A: Yes. The prayer room will be located in Room B03 in the Teaching and Learning Hub .
Q: Will there be a place to store my luggage after I check out from my accommodation on the morning of the 16th of April?
A: Yes. A room will be provided for this purpose in the Teaching and Learning Hub.
Q: If my abstract is accepted, will I have to become a member of BRAIS in order to present my paper at the conference?
A: We would expect all those who are giving papers at the conference to be members of BRAIS but will not insist on this. It bears repeating that BRAIS members receive significant discounts on conference delegate fees.
Q: How much does it cost to become a member of BRAIS?
A: For membership costs, please see HERE.
Q: Do you offer any financial assistance to students whose abstracts are accepted? (i.e. travel, fee waiver, accommodation etc)
A: PhD students are eligible to apply for conference bursaries. The deadline for applications is 25th Feb 2019. Please see HERE.
Q: Do you provide any assistance with obtaining a visa to attend the conference?
A: For candidates whose abstracts have been selected and who happen to reside outside the EU, please write to the BRAIS Administrator stating that you require a formal letter of invitation for obtaining a visa. The BRAIS administrator email address is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Q: Once the conference is over, do you provide individuals with a certificate of attendance/participation? Is there a charge for this service?
A: Yes. In order to obtain the certificate, please write to the BRAIS Administrator on the above email address, clearly stating your name and the title of the paper which you presented. The certificate may take a couple of weeks to produce but there is no fee for this service.
Q: Are there any plans to publish conference proceedings after the conference?
A: At this stage there are no plans to publish proceedings from the conference, but this is certainly something which may be considered in future years.
Q: Will BRAIS be publishing abstracts, either on paper or online?
A: Yes, online. This will happen after the conference.
Q: How many abstracts am I allowed to submit for BRAIS 2018?
A: You are allowed to submit up to two abstracts. Due to constraints of space and time, no more than one of these can be accepted for presentation, the choice of which is at the discretion of the organisers. N.B. the abstract deadline has passed and abstracts are no longer being accepted for the 2019 conference.
Q: Do you accept abstracts from undergraduate students as part of the BRAIS programme?
A: No.
Q: How many people should be in a panel? Is there a minimum or maximum?
The ideal pre-proposed panel should consist of four papers with one member of the panel acting as Panel Chair. Panels of three papers may be submitted but the reviewing committee may use their discretion to add a fourth person to any pre-proposed panel should they find a suitable abstract.
Q: Can we submit an abstract as co-authors?
A: Yes, but normally only one author will be invited to present the paper at the conference.
Q: Should I send my CV as well as my abstract?
A: No, please do not send CVs as additional attachments. The form through which you submitted you paper/panel proposal asks you for all the information we need about you.
Q: Do I need to send a written version of my paper to the conference committee in advance of the conference?
A: No. The abstract you sent is all that we require.
Q: I am not currently affiliated to any higher or further education institution. Can I still submit an abstract?
A: Yes, absolutely. We very much welcome abstracts from independent scholars.
Q: Are there any topics within Islamic studies that the reviewing panel will not accept abstract on?
A: No. All abstracts will be reviewed and decisions made based on the academic merits of the proposed paper/panel
Q: When will I find out if my abstract has been accepted?
A: You will have been notified of this already via email. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you haven't.
If you have any further questions which have not been answered above, please contact the BRAIS Administrator, Nadin Akta: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.