In this episode, recorded while we attend a big scary meeting of lots of academics in Belfast, we chat about how to cope at conferences with a very special guest, Owen Middleton. We discuss our mixed experiences of conferences, and share tips on how to get the most out of them while staying healthy and happy.

Owen is our networking expert, and tells us how to make friends – and how to keep them after the conference ends. We also discuss organisation, nerves, preparing for and giving a talk, coffee, being out of your comfort zone, socialising, and, importantly, how to look after yourself and your mental health.

As ever, send us any questions and follow us and Owen on Twitter: @PlanetPhD | @OwenMiidleton

We mention Gigi's conference talk on ivy bee sting pain, which features in a previous episode: Ouch! All about the ivy bee