Welcome, presenters! We’re excited to feature your research at Sharks International 2026. To ensure a smooth experience, please review the following guidelines carefully. General tips on slide and poster design are available below the guidelines.
STANDARD PRESENTATIONS (10 Minutes)
Standard presentations will be 10 minutes long. We suggest 8 minutes, followed by 2 minutes for Q&A. To keep sessions running smoothly, moderators will strictly enforce time limits.
Session Procedures:
Arrive 15 minutes early to meet your moderator, check your name pronunciation, and confirm the audiovisual setup. Your moderator will introduce you before your talk.
Time signals:
6-minute warning
9-minute wrap-up signal
10-minute cutoff – the moderator will turn off your microphone if needed. At this point, there will be no time for audience questions.
Talks must end on time to keep the conference schedule running smoothly, especially with parallel sessions taking place. Please be mindful of this to ensure a seamless experience for all attendees.
Presentation Requirements:
Only PowerPoint (16:9 format) is supported – other formats will not be accommodated.
Use the microphone for clarity - it is a giant hall.
Ensure video files are embedded into your slides and are set to play automatically.
Keep slides concise and visually engaging – avoid excessive text.
SPEED TALKS (3 Minutes)
Speed talks follow a similar format as standard presentations but are only 3 minutes long, with 1 minute for Q&A. We suggest focusing on a single key finding, question, or message, and restricting yourself to a maximum of 6 slides. Keep your introduction brief, present your main point clearly, and end with a strong takeaway to leave a lasting impact.
Presentation Upload Guidelines
Upload your PowerPoint via the following form at least one day before your session: PRESENTATION UPLOAD
In case of any issues, save it on a USB drive and bring it to the Information Desk (Entrance Hall).
File format: LASTNAME_FirstName_SessionNumber.ppt (e.g., PERERAShanika_3207.ppt).
Personal laptops cannot be used – all presentations must run on the venue’s system. Confidence monitors will be available.
Backup your presentation via cloud storage or email to avoid technical issues.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Poster Format:
Size: A0 (841 x 1189 mm, OR 33.1 x 46.8 inches) or smaller.
Orientation: Portrait (landscape posters will not fit).
Language: English.
Content: Clear, concise, and easy to read from a distance. Please include the title, author(s), and institutional affiliations.
Printing & Setup:
We do not provide on-site printing for posters. We recommend that you hand-carry your printed poster, ideally in a poster tube to protect it.
If you prefer to print your poster in Sri Lanka, we recommend contacting companies like Eternity: nimrod@eternity.lk or Leaf Digital Printing: quotations@leafd.lk no later than 10th April 2026 due to national holidays that month. Please note that the conference organisers are NOT responsible for any associated costs, print quality, delays in production, or the collection and/or delivery of your poster.
Set up your poster during the morning coffee break on the first day of the conference.
Find your poster panel number and attach it using the provided tape.
If there is already a poster in your spot, ask a volunteer for assistance.
During the Poster Session:
Stand by your poster during each scheduled poster session to engage with attendees.
Prepare a brief 60-second summary for quick introductions.
Expect in-depth questions from interested delegates.
Panels (flexible formats)
Expert panels typically include speakers who have been identified by the convenor. The exact format will be provided by the convenor.
GENERAL TIPS
Presented Talks:
Recommended structure:
Title slide – include your title, name, coauthors, and affiliations.
Introduction – only provide essential background, noting that your audience is very knowledgeable of sharks, rays, and chimaeras.
Methods – What did you do?
Results – What did you find out? Keep it clear and visual.
Discussion & conclusions – explain key takeaways or take-home message.
Acknowledgements – recognise funders, collaborators, and supporters.
Slide design:
Keep slides clean and uncluttered.
Use minimal text (no paragraphs; aim for ≤6 lines per slide).
Recommended font size:
- Titles ≥32 pt
- Body text ≥24 pt
Avoid decorative backgrounds, excessive logos, or animations.
Prefer figures over tables wherever possible.
Ensure all axes, legends, and labels are readable from the back of a room.
Please highlight the key result directly on the slides (e.g. circles, arrows, brief annotations) - a laser pointer won't be available because it cannot be seen by those viewing from another screen at the back of the hall.
Avoid overcrowded multi-panel figures unless necessary.
Ensure any incorporated videos are set to auto-play (and check that sound is either turned on, or muted, depending on your requirement).
Presenting effectively:
Speak clearly and at a measured pace.
Do not read from slides—use them to support your narrative.
Explain acronyms on first use.
Keep technical details appropriate for a broad, interdisciplinary audience.
Rehearse your talk, including timings! As a rule of thumb: ~1 slide per minute.
Posters:
Design:
Use a column layout that reads naturally from left to right.
Leave generous white space.
Use large, readable text:
Title ≥72 pt
Headings ≥40 pt
Body text ≥28 pt
Prioritise graphs and visuals over excessive text.
Do not have dense blocks of text (use bullet points, not paragraphs).
Provide clear captions for each figure, and minimal but informative legends.
Keep logos visible but not dominant.
Add contact details for follow-ups.
Communication:
There will be dedicated poster sessions, so be prepared with a clear 30-second summary for those visiting your poster.
Consider including a QR code linking to the full paper, more details, or your contact information.
The poster title should communicate the main finding or question.
General
Presenters can use the “No Tweet” symbol on slides or posters to discourage social media sharing. However, this does not guarantee compliance, and Sharks International 2026 is not responsible for any unauthorised sharing.
Presenters are solely responsible for their content; Sharks International 2026 organisers, affiliated partners, and sponsors are not liable for any presentation material.
Please ensure your language and visuals are professional and respectful to all colleagues. Avoid offensive language, lewd or suggestive jokes, and inappropriate images.
Carefully proofread your abstract before the submission deadline, as edits will not be permitted after that.
We look forward to your presentations and posters at Sharks International 2026, May 4–8 in Colombo, Sri Lanka!