Virtual Platform Information

The below information relates to IMC 2022. Details for IMC 2023 will be published here in due course.

Getting Online

Access to the IMC 2022 virtual platform Pathable will be available to all registered delegates. You can access the virtual platform via your desktop computer (PC/Mac), or mobile or tablet device.

If you are presenting or otherwise actively involved in a session, you must access that session via a desktop device (e.g. PC or Mac) as some functionality within Zoom is not available from a mobile or tablet device.

Details of how to access the virtual platform were sent out to all registered delegates on 21 June 2022. If you have not received these details, please email imc@leeds.ac.uk.

Layout & Navigation

Finding what you want to attend either in-person or virtually is straightforward thanks to Pathable, our virtual event platform provider who are hosting all IMC sessions and content.

On PCs and larger devices, the main navigation is located at the top of the page and, for mobile devices, on the left-hand side menu. From here, you can navigate to any aspect of IMC 2022.

If you have signed up for a paid-for workshop, event, or excursion, this should be pre-populated in your ‘My Agenda’ already. Similarly, if you are speaking, moderating, organising, or otherwise participating actively in the IMC 2022 programme, then these sessions will appear in your ‘My Agenda’ automatically.

Agenda & Personal Agenda

You can view the programme by clicking ‘Schedule’ on the main menu. On the dropdown menu, you can choose to view either the full programme by clicking ‘Agenda’, or your personalised programme by clicking ‘My Agenda’. You can also switch between the two views by clicking the button on the top left of either view.

The Agenda contains all academic sessions, as well as the full programme of events, excursions, performances, and workshops.

There are two views of the Agenda – calendar view and list/tile view. You can view individual days on list/tile view, and switch between day, week, and all view on calendar view using the main menu bar. You can also export and print from either view. We don’t recommend printing the full agenda though as it’s a very large document!

Each session appears with its number and name, grouped by timeslot. To add a session to your personal agenda, just click the ‘+’ icon, or open the session by clicking the title and then clicking ‘Reserve Spot’.

Each session has its own listing page which can be viewed by clicking on the session title from either the full Agenda or ‘My Agenda’.

On the session listing page, you can view the speakers, paper titles, and abstracts as well as all the other information you’d expect to find in the IMC programme book. You can click on any speaker, strand (the coloured box at the top), or index term (at the bottom) to see other sessions featuring that person, strand, or index term.

On the right hand side, you can post chat messages in advance of the session, whether this be words of encouragement for colleagues or links to relevant resources. You can also view any files shared by the speaker(s) in advance of the session.

There is also a note-taking feature which allows you to make private notes during a session. When you click ‘Notes’, this opens a simple text editor built-in to the platform which you can use to jot down your thoughts during the presentations. Your notes are private to you and can be downloaded subsequently by clicking ‘Agenda’, then using the ‘Export’ function.

Priority Access for Speakers

Speakers, moderators, and organisers will also see a ‘Manage’ button which allows you to access the session up to 20 minutes prior to the start, and upload files for attendees to see. We recommend all speakers upload a short summary of their key arguments to allow delegates who join late or experience connection issues to follow along. You can also use this space to upload other relevant materials, including discussion points for round tables, primary sources, or other materials which attendees may wish to familiarise themselves with prior to your paper.

Finding Sessions

The ‘Agenda’ module has a powerful built-in search function which can be found on the top right. You can simply search by typing the session number, name, or speaker name, or part of any of these in the box and clicking ‘Go’. You can also filter by strand or index terms. If you wish, you can also search by sponsor or organiser, and search for terms in the session abstract.

You may also filter by whether the session is In Person or Virtual, as well as whether the session is scheduled to be recorded.

You can also toggle between ‘all terms must match’ (which will only find sessions where every term entered is present) and ‘any terms will match’ (which will find every session where any of the terms entered are present).

If the search or programme display misbehaves, ensure you click ‘reset’ at the bottom as a previous search or filter may still be active. Alternatively, you can reload the page in your web browser.

Finding Colleagues & Friends

You can view all attendees by clicking ‘People’ on the main menu, then selecting ‘Speakers’ or ‘Attendees’. All speakers are also attendees, so we generally recommend selecting the latter.

As with the Schedule/Agenda pages, you can find individuals using the search in the top right and also filter by a variety of terms.

You can view an individual profile by clicking on their name or profile picture. You can see the academic sessions which a speaker is involved in on the right hand side. The left hand side contains the profile description provided by the delegate, as well as links to their professional web profile and social media (if provided).

You can manage your own profile at any time by clicking your name in the top right on a desktop device or the left hand menu on mobile, then ‘Edit my profile’.

From any delegate’s profile page, you can add the delegate to your ‘Want to meet’ list. This is a private list that allows you to keep track of individuals you may wish to get in touch with or network with during the IMC. You can also review and edit your list via ‘Edit my profile’.

Via the profile page, you can also request a meeting with other delegates using Pathable’s built-in Zoom meeting tool, using the ‘Schedule Meeting’ function, or send a private text-based message. The invitee(s) must accept your request before the meeting will be added to both of your ‘My Agenda’ pages.

We expect all delegates to comply with our Policy on Dignity & Mutual Respect. If you have concerns about your personal privacy, or wish your profile to be hidden, please contact the IMC team by emailing imc@leeds.ac.uk.

Networking

The platform also allows all attendees to arrange one-to-one or small group private video calls with colleagues old and new. Simply use the ‘Schedule Private Meeting’ function found under ‘Schedule’. You will then have the opportunity to add other delegates using a search function, and schedule a private Zoom meeting for a mutually convenient time. This can be a great way to connect with existing colleagues and friends and make new ones, as well as giving you the chance to follow up with a speaker after their paper to find out more about their research.

If you are both attending in person, then you may also choose to meet in one of the many public areas around campus. Due to the scale and complexity of the IMC, as well as other events taking place during Congress week, it is not possible for individual delegates to book on-campus space for private meetings.

Messaging & Conversations

You can keep track of your messages and meeting requests by clicking ‘Conversations’. Here you can either see posts you have made on public forums – such as the chat boxes found on individual session listings – or your private inbox.

You will receive a notification via the ‘bell’ icon when someone messages you or invites you to a private meeting.

Please note that chat messages within IMC sessions on Zoom will not be retained and will not be accessible anywhere on the platform after the session has finished.

Updating Your Profile

As mentioned above, you can manage your profile at any time by clicking ‘Account’ and ‘Edit my profile’. Exhibitors can also manage their listings from the ‘Edit my organisation’ option on the ‘Account’ menu.

Your Personal Profile

Your profile page is where you can tell other attendees more about yourself and your research. We encourage all attendees to add a short biography, a link to your personal web profile, or professional social media to your profile. You will be able to do this both when you register or using the ‘Edit Profile’ tool at any point during the Congress.

We encourage delegates who wish to do so to add a profile picture to their profile, either of themselves or of something relevant to their research. Profile pictures will be displayed alongside all your contributions to the programme in both public sessions and private meetings.

The virtual platform also has privacy controls and the IMC will be happy to discuss any privacy concerns you may have and put relevant controls in place where possible. Please email imc@leeds.ac.uk to discuss your individual circumstances.

Help & Support

You can find a range of help and support via Pathable’s extensive support site, which covers a variety of topics including joining sessions, participating in private meetings, messaging other delegates, and more.

This can be accessed by clicking ‘Support’ on the main navigation. From here, you can either click through to the relevant Pathable support article or send a message to the IMC team, should you require additional assistance.