A symposium is a formal gathering of scholars and researchers, where attendees present their work, hear others speak, and discuss the latest developments within their field. It is generally defined as a meeting organized so that experts in a given field can meet, present papers, and discuss issues and trends or make recommendations for a certain course of action. A symposium could be loosely explained as a mini-conference within a conference. In some disciplines, there’s a distinct difference between a symposium and a conference, while in other disciplines, the words are used interchangeably. The Greek symposium was a key Hellenic social institution, where men of respected families would debate, plot, boast, or simply revel with others. The equivalent of a Greek symposium in Roman society is the Latin convivium. A symposium can take a number of different formats, which are determined by the number of presenters, subject matter, time for questions, travel, and budget. However, a standard format follows this order:

• Introduction
• Keynote speaker(s)
• Panel discussion
• Q&A session
• Conclusion

After a symposium, attendees should come away having gained a greater degree of knowledge about a topic or a deeper understanding of an issue. The findings from a symposium can be used to help others within the field of research and can stimulate others to seek new knowledge and findings within their sector.