Frequently Asked Questions
We know submitting and presenting your original work for consideration in a national conference can feel daunting, especially if this is your first time doing so. (But remember, almost all the students submitting and presenting will be doing so for the first time!) The SUNY Oneonta Undergraduate Philosophy Conference is designed to be a supportive and positive environment for exactly this reason. Whether you are considering submitting your first philosophy paper ever or something drawn from a polished senior thesis, if you are excited about philosophy, we want to read your work!
Submission and Review
Q: What is the benefit of presenting at the OUPC?
The benefits of presenting at the OUPC are too numerous to list, but they all boil down to professional and intellectual growth. It is a vital step toward engaging in professional philosophy activities, offering a unique opportunity to build your academic career by providing invaluable practice in scholarly communication—articulating complex ideas and defending your work in a public forum. You will be exposed to a wide range of philosophical ideas and presentation styles, deepening your understanding of the field's diversity. You will receive thoughtful, direct feedback from peers and faculty, strengthening your arguments, and significantly enhance your résumé. Furthermore, you can network with other undergraduates who share your passion for philosophy. Most importantly, you will have a blast connecting with fellow students and faculty who are excited to discuss the field's most pressing questions!
Q: What is "blind review"?
"Blind review" means the student reviewers who read the papers and select those for presentation at the conference will not know who you are or where you study. It is a standard academic practice that promotes both quality and fairness in the review process by helping to ensure that the reviewers select papers solely based on the quality of the work. No one other than one faculty member managing the submission receipt process will know your identity unless your paper has already been accepted by the review committee.
Q: How do I prepare my paper for blind review?
It's simple: Before you email your submission, ensure the document file itself contains NO identifying information.
Remove: Your name, your institution, your professor's name, or any acknowledgments from the text.
Keep: The title of your paper is all we need in the file. We will link your name and contact info to the paper only after the review process is complete.
Q: Must the final presentation be identical to the submitted paper?
No. While, while the core ideas and arguments must remain the same as the accepted paper, it is perfectly expected—and encouraged!—to revise and improve your work between the submission date and the conference date. In fact, making improvements based on further research or insights is a hallmark of good philosophical practice. Feel free to refine your prose, sharpen your arguments, and polish your conclusion before you present it.
Presentation Logistics
Q: Should I read my paper word-for-word at the presentation?
It is standard academic practice for philosophy presenters to read their papers aloud. Many scholars find this the best way to ensure clarity and precision when delivering complex philosophical arguments. Most presenters will read their paper as-is, and you can certainly interject more conversational clarifications or explanations as needed.
Alternatively, some presenters prepare a more conversational "talk" based on an outline, notes, or a slide presentation that summarizes the paper's core claims.
Both approaches are completely acceptable! Choose the style that makes you feel most comfortable and confident when sharing your research. Regardless of your presentation style, you will have the ability to project slide to help the audience follow-along and remained engaged with your work.
Q: What should I know about travel and logistics?
While we, as is standard practice for academic conferences, unfortunately cannot support presenters' travel costs, we strongly encourage you to reach out to your local department chair and/or administration to inquire about institutional support for conference travel. To help make your experience smooth, we will assign a local student liaison to you. This liaison will be a current SUNY Oneonta philosophy student who can help answer any questions you have about arranging your visit or the conference itself.
Q: Can I request an online or virtual presentation?
Unfortunately, no. This event is in-person only.
Q: Is there a registration fee?
No. There is no conference registration fees at all for presenters. The conference is always free and open to the public as well. We do provide some meals for presenters during the conference weekend, free of charge. If you have friends or family who are coming to support you at the presentation, it is possible to arrange meals for them for a donation to cover the cost of the food. This must be arranged with the conference organizer at least 4 weeks prior to the event.
The Q&A Session
Q: What is the purpose of the Q&A, and how should I approach it?
The Q&A session is your opportunity to shine and engage in professional philosophical discussion. It is crucial to view this time not as a rigid "defense" of your paper, but as a critical and collaborative discussion. Tough questions are encouraged, as they are a sign that your audience is taking your argument seriously. Remember, you are the expert in the room on your specific work. You wrote it, you know its nuances, and you control the boundaries of the discussion. Use this time to clarify, refine, and deepen your argument. It's the most rewarding part of the conference!
Q: What is the role of the Discussant?
Every paper will have a specific Discussant who will have read your work in advance. The Discussant will present a short summary of your paper to the audience and offer two or three prepared comments or questions. This serves a few important purposes:
Audience Aid: It helps the audience process the main claims of your paper immediately.
Discussion Catalyst: It promotes an immediate, focused discussion of your specific arguments.
Presenter Support: It gives you a moment to breathe and collect yourself after delivering your presentation, right before the general Q&A begins. Think of the Discussant as your partner in the session!
While discussants usually raise helpful questions for clarification and depth, they sometimes propose objections and counter-arguments for discussion (this is philosophy, after all). Presenters and discussants are expected to discuss the comments before the conference, however, so you don't need to worry about any surprises or "gotcha" moments. We want you to have time to think about and prepare for discussant comments in advance, too!
Q: I'm nervous about the questions afterward. What if I don't know the answer?
The Question and Answer (Q&A) session is the best part—it's collaborative, not confrontational. Everyone is there to help you clarify and strengthen your argument.
If you are asked a tough question, remember these strategies:
Clarify: It's completely fine to say, "That's a great question. Could you rephrase the part about X?"
Take Your Time: Pause, breathe, and think for a moment before answering. Silence is okay.
Redirect: You can often integrate the question into your existing framework: "That critique highlights a limitation in my current scope. While I haven't addressed that specific counter-example, I believe my core argument still holds for the reasons..."
Admit Limitations: It is a sign of a strong thinker to acknowledge when you've reached the boundary of your current paper. You can confidently say: "That's something I need to think more about. It will definitely shape the next draft of this paper."
You are not expected to have all the answers.
Q: Can I volunteer to be a Discussant?
Yes! We strongly encourage presenters to volunteer, as it gives you another chance to get in front of the mic and fosters the collaborative, collegial environment our conference is known for.
Anyone interested in volunteer to be a Discussant, so even if you don't quite have a work ready to submit for presentation itself but still want a chance to participate and get a presentation at a national conference under your belt, you just need to reach out to the conference organizers at editor@OUPC.info and we'll talk!