An online conference takes place on the Internet. It is an interactive web site, where participants log on and read papers, enter discussions with other delegates and presenters, have live chat, and are able to pose questions and interact with people from all over the world. It has a similar structure to a physical conference, except that the workshops last longer, and discussions are far more extensive and focussed..

Also, of course, traditional conferences mean participants have to travel and stay in a particular place. This takes time and is expensive. But because an online conference is on the Internet, participants can access the conference from anywhere in the world and can do this at any time, using standard browser software. Participants are able to log on as little or as much as they wish - before, after or during office hours. They are given a password to access the various conference workshops. Anyone with access to the Internet can participate.

We're not saying an online conference is better than a normal, face to face conference, but it is different, and has lots of advantages:

• cheaper - because no travel, no accomodation required;
• more convenient - you can access it at any time you want, from anywhere with an internet connection;
• high level of participation - typically, more people will actively participate in an online conference than in a face to face conference, and the standard of the discussions is often higher;
• wider spread of participants - our last online conference had delegates from 19 countries in five continents.

Taking part in an online conference is easy. See what previous delegates said about participating.