# DC Chair
**Champion of early-career researchers in immersive learning.**
The DC Chair(s) curate, organize, and facilitate the **Doctoral Colloquium** at iLRN2026, creating a supportive environment where doctoral students can share their work, receive feedback, and build connections.
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## 🎯 Responsibilities at a Glance (Checklist)
- **Format & Structure**
- Work with Program Chairs to define the format of DC presentations (papers, posters, hybrid).
- **Recruitment & Visibility**
- Advertise the Colloquium across iLRN disciplines.
- Recruit strong participation (both paper submissions and poster-only).
- Raise visibility for student research within the broader iLRN community.
- **Feedback & Mentorship**
- Plan activities for students to receive **constructive feedback** on proposals and ongoing research.
- Recruit experienced mentors to provide guidance.
- **Networking & Community**
- Facilitate peer-to-peer networking among doctoral students.
- Connect students with senior researchers in shared interest areas.
- Coordinate informal and formal networking opportunities (e.g., DC lunch, social mixers, or virtual meet-ups).
- **Skill-Building Activities**
- Organize workshops or special sessions on conducting immersive learning research (methodologies, publishing, ethics).
- Provide “survival skills” content (e.g., navigating academic careers, funding strategies).
- **Ceremonial Role**
- Ensure student participation is visible in the Opening and/or Closing Ceremonies.
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## 🗓️ Timeline & Key Milestones
- **12–9 months out:** Finalize DC format with Program Chairs; draft CfP section; begin advertising.
- **9–6 months out:** Recruit submissions; confirm reviewing structure; recruit mentors.
- **6–3 months out:** Send reminders to students; finalize accepted participants; prepare poster/paper guidelines.
- **3–1 months out:** Plan workshops/special sessions; match students with mentors; organize networking events.
- **Conference Week:** Host the Doctoral Colloquium, workshops, and networking sessions.
- **Post-Conference:** Gather feedback; archive proceedings; maintain contact with DC alumni.
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## 🛠️ Working Toolkit (MVP)
- **CfP Template (Doctoral Colloquium)**
- **Recruitment Flyer & Sample Posts** for advertising
- **Review Guidelines** for DC submissions
- **Poster & Presentation Guidelines** for student presenters
- **Mentor Briefing Sheet** (how to provide constructive feedback)
- **Workshop Menu** (topics + templates for volunteer facilitators)
- **Networking Ideas Kit** (icebreakers, formats for small groups, hybrid activities)
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## 🤝 Coordination Map
- **Program Chairs:** Finalize format; ensure DC integrates into program.
- **General Chairs:** Approve CfP text; highlight DC in official announcements.
- **Publicity & Comms Team:** Advertise CfP and highlight student participation.
- **Virtual Campus Team:** Support hybrid/online DC activities and networking.
- **Awards Chair:** Explore opportunities for Best DC Poster/Paper recognitions.
- **Mentor Volunteers (Circle of Scholars, senior members):** Provide feedback and advice.
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## 🧩 MVP vs. Nice-to-Have
**MVP (before recruiting students):**
- CfP draft ready
- DC flyer / sample posts
- Poster & paper guidelines
- Review process setup
- Mentor recruitment plan
**Nice-to-Have (volunteer-supported):**
- Recorded mentor “lightning talks” for DC participants
- Structured networking events (speed mentoring, thematic tables, VR meet-ups)
- Dedicated Best DC Poster/Paper awards
- Post-conference alumni community space for DC graduates
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## đź“š Quick Links (placeholders)
- [CfP – Doctoral Colloquium](#bkmrk-ilrn2026-conference-)
- [Poster & Paper Guidelines](#bkmrk-ilrn2026-conference-)
- [Mentor Brief](#bkmrk-ilrn2026-conference-)
- [DC Workshop Templates](#bkmrk-ilrn2026-conference-)
- [Networking Toolkit](#bkmrk-ilrn2026-conference-)
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## 🪴 Notes
- DC Chairs serve a **2-year term**, with the first year as apprentice to a more experienced Chair.
- Aim for **early visibility, constructive feedback, and meaningful connection** for doctoral students—the DC should feel like both a milestone and a springboard in their career.
### iLRN2026 Conference Organizing Committee D.C. Chair role description:
##### The Doctoral Colloquium Chair/s are responsible for advertising and organising the Doctoral Colloquium session. More specifically the Doctoral Colloquium Chairs have the following responsibilities:
- Work with the Program Chairs to the format of the Doctoral Colloquium presentations
- Advertise the Doctoral Colloquium across the disciplines falling under the area of iLRN and recruit a healthy number of DC presentations (with paper submission and with poster presentation only)
- Plan activities to support research students obtain early visibility for their proposed and/or ongoing research
- Plan activities to support research students receive constructive feedback on their work
- Plan activities to facilitate networking between research students in topics related to iLRN during the conference
- Plan activities to facilitate networking between research students in topics related to iLRN during the conference
- Organise workshops or special sessions to support research students in conducting research in Immersive Learning
The Doctoral Colloquium Chairs are appointed for serving for a 2-year term. The first year in an apprentice role to a more experienced PC.