MSS Meeting/General FAQ’s

Submissions

Q: What happens to my individual submission when it goes into the submission portal?
A: Once your individual submission (e.g., open call paper submission, poster, roundtable, teaching technique, etc.) goes into the submission portal, it becomes part of the MSS Meeting submission. Once our portal closes, it will be sent to a voluntary session organizer (a “VSO”), who will have the task of organizing topically-related submissions into sessions and providing a session title. A presider will be selected, and your paper will be placed in a session of papers as closely related as possible. If you are interested in serving as a presider, please indicate that at the time of your submission.

Q. What happens to my individual submission if I indicate interest in an organized paper session?
A: If you indicated interest (by first, second, or other choice) in an organized session, once your submission goes into the portal, it will be routed to that session’s organizer, along with other paper submissions indicating the same session. That session’s organizer will accept your paper or move it to your second or third choice or back to the open call for papers to be routed into sessions by a VSO. It may be the case that some open-call submissions will end up in organized sessions as well.

Q: What functions do the organizer, presider and discussant have in MSS sessions?
A: Most sessions are organized topically by VSOs. Some sessions are organized in advance of the submission portal opening through an open call for sessions. These sessions will list organizers and the session organizer(s) are encouraged to also serve as presiders.

Presiders manage requesting full papers in advance of the meeting, by keeping presentations on time and facilitating questions and answers for the sessions. Presiders may present in the same session and can also serve as a de facto discussant if no other is available.

Discussants, as a unique role with a separate individual, are optional in MSS session meetings. Discussants’ roles include previewing the papers and providing analysis and summary of the connections and significant contributions among the papers. Use of a discussant should be a careful decision, balanced with time for questions and interactions among the audience members.

Q: I’m not a member of MSS. Do I have to be a member to submit a paper?
A: You do not have to be a member to submit a paper, but you must be an active member to present at the annual meeting. Once you find you have been accepted to present at the meeting, you’ll need to renew, or purchase, your membership by February 1^st in order to be included in the program. NOTE: Current members will receive a renewal notice on or around November 1st; at that time, they may renew membership for the next year. 

Q: What deadlines do I need to know throughout the submission and presentation process?
A: Please see our Deadlines page for more information.

Q: My paper/presentation doesn’t fit with this year’s theme. Is there a place for me?
A: Yes! There are a number of presentation topics from which you can choose. Select which best fits your paper/presentation at the time of submission. A list of these topics is available on the Call for Submissions page.

Q. Can I submit a paper on which I am sole author and have a colleague present it?
A. No. Only authors or co-authors are permitted to present.

Q: If I have a paper accepted, is it acceptable to create a video of my presentation and have someone show it during the session?
A: No, this is not current practice in our face-to-face meetings. Virtual presentation of any kind (recorded or live) is not allowed at this time, though MSS continues to explore meeting modality options for the future. 

Q: Can I present virtually?
A: No, this is not current practice in our face-to-face meetings. Virtual presentation of any kind (recorded or live) is not allowed at this time, though MSS continues to explore meeting modality options for the future.

Attending the Meeting

Q: If I’m a presenter, do I need to register to attend the annual meeting?
A: Yes, all presenters must register to attend the meeting, whether in person or virtual. Your presentation does not provide complimentary registration.

Q: Is there any financial support available to attend the meeting?
A: Financial support is available to eligible persons. Learn more about available support on our Awards page.

Q: If I am a presenter and find that I cannot attend the meeting as planned, what is the procedure I should follow?  
A: First, if you have co-authors attending, ask one to present in your place, notify the presider, discussant and MSSannualmeeting@themss.org of the change and provide them with the new presenter’s information. Second, if an alternative presenter is not possible, notify the presider and discussant immediately of the change and send an e-mail to [email protected] so a replacement paper and presenter can be found. 

Q: Is there a program book available for the meeting?
A: Yes, program books are available. You will need to specify at the time of registration if you would like a hard copy of the book. Otherwise, it will be available in the form of a meeting app (available on any mobile device) and on our website.

Q: Does MSS provide meals at the conference?
A: Generally, you are responsible for your own meals at the conference. There are a few opportunities to gather at receptions and such, but they should not be considered as meals. Providing meals would increase the registration price significantly.