1. Are there differences between the in-person and virtual conference?

Yes, there are several key differences between the in-person (physical) and virtual conference (online event). Here are some of the most notable difference: 

a. Conference date:

• In-person IYRC: June 28, 2025 (at the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan)
• Virtual IYRC: July 26, 2025 (via Zoom)

 
b. Conference format:

• Virtual: Attendees join and give presentations remotely from their own devices and locations.
• In-person: Attendees physically travel to Tokyo, Japan to participate/give presentations.

 
c. Networking Opportunities:

• Virtual: online platforms which may lack the personal touch of in-person networking.
• In-person: Offers face-to-face interactions and networking opportunities with other attendees, presenters.

2. What happens at the in-person and virtual conference?

a. In-person Conference:

• Check-In: Attendees check in at the registration desk, receive their badges, conference materials, schedules and pick up their goodie bag.
• Opening Session: The conference typically kicks off with an opening session featuring welcoming remarks, and keynote speeches.
• Presentation Sessions: Accepted papers will be presented, and authors will engage in discussions with the audience during the conference. There's typically a Q&A or discussion period where attendees can interact with presenters, and ask questions.
• Networking: In-person conferences offer opportunities for networking. This can include breaks, lunch, group photos, and other conference activities, allowing participants to connect with each other and speakers. Specifically, workshops are led by teaching fellows, including medical and dental students from Columbia VP&S, as well as undergraduates from Stanford and Dartmouth.
•  Closing Session: The conference concludes with a closing session, where organizers summarize key takeaways, and make announcements about best presentation awards and future events.

b. Virtual Conference:
It is similar to the in-person conference; however, attendees/speakers participate from their own devices and locations, accessing the conference through a virtual conference platform (Zoom).

3. How can I register for the in-person and virtual conference?

All presenters must register to attend the in-person or virtual conference.​ Guests attending the in-person conference also need to register. The registration link will be available after the acceptance results are announced

4. Is there a conference program available?

The conference program (agenda) will be sent to all registered participants and will also be available on the conference website 2-3 weeks before the conference event.

5. Are there any requirements or instructions for speakers?

For the virtual conference:

• All authors need to submit a 12-minute pre-recorded presentation and presentation file by June 7 , 2025 ​(EST). The presentation will be published on the conference website on the conference date to encourage audience participation and discussion. 
• Live presentation on the conference date is 12 minutes, followed by 3 minutes for Q&A. 
• Please Install and update Zoom for the latest version in advance since Zoom is used for the virtual conference (https://zoom.us/download)

●     We kindly ask you to be on Zoom 15 minutes before the start of your block to check internet connection and other technical tests.

For the in-person conference:

• All authors need to submit a 12-minute pre-recorded presentation and presentation file by June 7 , 2025 ​(EST). The presentation will be published on the conference website on the conference date to encourage audience participation and discussion. 
• Live presentation on the conference date is 12 minutes, followed by 3 minutes for Q&A. 
• A laptop will be available in all rooms, so using your own laptop is not necessary and may cause technical difficulties and delays. As a backup, please bring your presentation on a USB and make sure to download it to your device prior to the conference in case of wifi difficulties.
• We kindly ask you to be in the room 15 minutes before the start of your block and upload your presentation onto the prepared laptop.
• Presentation formats: PowerPoint (format 16:9) or PDF

●     File name: Presenter name
​
You can find the presentation rubric here.
You can find the presentation guide here.

6. How to access the venue for the in-person conference?

Address:
The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656 JAPAN

Access:

• 10 min walk from Hongo-Sanchome Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Tokyo metropolitan Oedo Line)
• 5 min walk from Todaimae Station (Tokyo Metro Nanboku Line)
• 10 min walk from Nezu Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)

7. What types of awards can presenters receive?

Students can have a chance to receive awards as below:
1 - Best STEM Paper
2 - Best STEM Presentation
3 - Best Social Science & Humanities Paper
4 - Best Social Science & Humanities Presentation
5 - Best Health Narrative
6 - ​Health Narrative Honorable Mention

8. Can presenters receive a certificate of participation?

All presenters attending the in-person and virtual conference can receive a certificate of participation.

9. Guideline for preparing a pre-recorded video

All registered authors with accepted papers are required to prepare and submit a pre-recorded video of their presentation. We recommend using Zoom for recording your presentation and kindly request that you activate your camera, showing your face throughout the presentation. Please refer to the provided guidelines for instructions on how to use Zoom for recording.​

• Guidelines for recording using Zoom can be found at the following link: [here]
• You can find the presentation rubric: [here]
• You can find the presentation guide: [here]
• An example of a recorded presentation from a previous author who participated in the IYRC conference can be found [here]

10. Guideline for preparing  a successful abstract

To help guide your submission, here are some key aspects we look for in a successful abstract:
​
Clear Research Objective – Clearly define the aim of your study and ensure that your research question is specific and well-articulated.
 Novelty & Impact – Ensure your research question addresses a meaningful gap in the field. Highlight how your work contributes new insights.
Methods & Findings – Clearly describe your methodology and ensure your findings are well-supported by data. If applicable, use original figures and ensure they are easy to interpret.
Writing & Formatting – Follow the IYRC formatting guidelines closely and maintain a clear, academic writing style. A well-structured paper with minimal grammatical errors strengthens your submission.
Discussion & Conclusion – Your conclusions should be well-supported by your findings. Discuss the broader impact of your research, its limitations, and potential areas for future study.
References – Use credible, peer-reviewed sources and ensure proper citation formatting. References should be limited to the most relevant and important sources, with 10 to 15 being sufficient.