How to Cite Conference Papers in Chicago Style
Learn how to properly cite conference papers and presentations using both Chicago citation systems.
Conference Paper Citation Overview
Conference papers represent cutting-edge research and are important sources in academic writing. Chicago style provides specific guidelines for citing various types of conference presentations, from formal papers to poster sessions and virtual presentations.
Conference Citation Elements
- • Author/presenter name
- • Paper or presentation title
- • Conference name
- • Location of conference
- • Date of presentation
- • Publication details (if published in proceedings)
- • URL (for virtual conferences or online proceedings)
Unpublished Conference Papers
Notes-Bibliography System
Footnote/Endnote:
1. Sarah Johnson, "Digital Democracy and Civic Engagement" (paper presented at the American Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, August 31, 2023).
Bibliography entry:
Johnson, Sarah. "Digital Democracy and Civic Engagement." Paper presented at the American Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, August 31, 2023.
Author-Date System
In-text citation:
(Johnson 2023)
Reference list entry:
Johnson, Sarah. 2023. "Digital Democracy and Civic Engagement." Paper presented at the American Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, August 31, 2023.
Published Conference Proceedings
Paper in Edited Proceedings
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. David Miller, "Historical Methodology in the Digital Age," in Proceedings of the 2023 Conference on Digital Humanities, ed. Patricia Williams (Boston: Academic Press, 2023), 145-162.
Notes-Bibliography bibliography:
Miller, David. "Historical Methodology in the Digital Age." In Proceedings of the 2023 Conference on Digital Humanities, edited by Patricia Williams, 145-162. Boston: Academic Press, 2023.
Author-Date reference list:
Miller, David. 2023. "Historical Methodology in the Digital Age." In Proceedings of the 2023 Conference on Digital Humanities, edited by Patricia Williams, 145-162. Boston: Academic Press.
Online Conference Proceedings
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Susan Chen, "Educational Policy and Democratic Values," in Proceedings of the International Conference on Education and Democracy (Virtual Conference, 2023), 234-248, https://conference.edu/proceedings/2023/chen-education-policy.
Author-Date reference list:
Chen, Susan. 2023. "Educational Policy and Democratic Values." In Proceedings of the International Conference on Education and Democracy, 234-248. Virtual Conference. https://conference.edu/proceedings/2023/chen-education-policy.
Keynote Speeches and Plenary Talks
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Robert Taylor, "The Future of Democratic Institutions" (keynote address, Annual Conference of the American Historical Association, New York, NY, January 6, 2023).
Author-Date reference list:
Taylor, Robert. 2023. "The Future of Democratic Institutions." Keynote address, Annual Conference of the American Historical Association, New York, NY, January 6, 2023.
Panel Discussions and Roundtables
Panel with Multiple Speakers
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Jennifer Adams, "Technology and Political Participation," panel discussion, "Democracy in the Digital Age," moderated by Michael Brown, American Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, September 1, 2023.
Author-Date reference list:
Adams, Jennifer. 2023. "Technology and Political Participation." Panel discussion, "Democracy in the Digital Age," moderated by Michael Brown, American Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, September 1, 2023.
Roundtable Discussion
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Lisa Wilson, participant, "Teaching Democracy in Higher Education," roundtable discussion, National Conference on Civic Education, Washington, DC, October 15, 2023.
Poster Presentations
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Thomas Clark, "Student Engagement in Democratic Processes" (poster presentation, Conference on Higher Education and Democracy, Boston, MA, November 12, 2023).
Author-Date reference list:
Clark, Thomas. 2023. "Student Engagement in Democratic Processes." Poster presentation, Conference on Higher Education and Democracy, Boston, MA, November 12, 2023.
Virtual and Online Conferences
Virtual Presentation
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Maria Rodriguez, "Global Perspectives on Democratic Education" (virtual presentation, International Conference on Education, November 20, 2023), https://conference.edu/2023/rodriguez-global-perspectives.
Author-Date reference list:
Rodriguez, Maria. 2023. "Global Perspectives on Democratic Education." Virtual presentation, International Conference on Education, November 20, 2023. https://conference.edu/2023/rodriguez-global-perspectives.
Webinar or Online Workshop
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. James Kim, "Digital Tools for Historical Research" (webinar, Digital Humanities Network, December 5, 2023), https://dh-network.org/webinars/digital-tools-historical-research.
Workshop Papers and Working Groups
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Patricia Williams, "Collaborative Research Methods in Digital History" (workshop paper, Digital History Working Group, Stanford University, October 28, 2023).
Author-Date reference list:
Williams, Patricia. 2023. "Collaborative Research Methods in Digital History." Workshop paper, Digital History Working Group, Stanford University, October 28, 2023.
Conference Abstracts
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Sarah Johnson, "Digital Democracy and Civic Engagement," abstract, American Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, August 31, 2023, https://apsanet.org/conference/2023/abstracts/johnson-digital-democracy.
Author-Date reference list:
Johnson, Sarah. 2023. "Digital Democracy and Civic Engagement." Abstract, American Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, August 31, 2023. https://apsanet.org/conference/2023/abstracts/johnson-digital-democracy.
Conference Videos and Recordings
Recorded Presentation
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. David Miller, "Historical Methodology in the Digital Age" (recorded presentation, 2023 Conference on Digital Humanities, Boston, MA, March 15, 2023), video, 45:32, https://conference.dh.org/2023/videos/miller-methodology.
Author-Date reference list:
Miller, David. 2023. "Historical Methodology in the Digital Age." Recorded presentation, 2023 Conference on Digital Humanities, Boston, MA, March 15, 2023. Video, 45:32. https://conference.dh.org/2023/videos/miller-methodology.
Live-Streamed Session
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Susan Chen, "Educational Policy and Democratic Values" (live-streamed session, International Conference on Education, November 18, 2023), https://livestream.edu/conference2023/chen-session.
Professional Association Conferences
Common Academic Conferences
- • American Historical Association (AHA)
- • American Political Science Association (APSA)
- • Modern Language Association (MLA)
- • Organization of American Historians (OAH)
- • American Educational Research Association (AERA)
- • Digital Humanities Alliance
- • National Communication Association (NCA)
- • American Sociological Association (ASA)
Common Conference Citation Mistakes
- • Missing location information: Always include city and state/country for conferences
- • Incorrect date format: Use the specific presentation date, not the conference span
- • Wrong presentation type: Specify whether it's a paper, poster, keynote, etc.
- • Missing conference name: Include the full official name of the conference
- • Incomplete proceeding information: Include editor and publisher for published proceedings
- • URL accessibility: Ensure conference URLs are still active and accessible
Generate Perfect Conference Citations
Create properly formatted Chicago conference paper citations automatically.
Chicago Citation Generator