Paper Presentation and Implementation

The purpose of this segment is to deepen your understanding and engagement with cutting-edge research through the detailed study, presentation, and where applicable, implementation of a significant paper in the field. This exercise aims to emulate the process of a conference presentation combined with a critical review session.

Presentation Structure

Each team will be responsible for the following components:

Team Sign-Up

Before getting started, please team up and sign up for your chosen paper on the following Google Sheet:
Team Sign-Up Sheet.

Report

  • Length: Approximately 2 pages.
  • Content:
    • Review: Critically analyze the paper’s strengths, weaknesses, impact, and contributions.
    • Rebuttal: Anticipate potential criticisms and questions that might arise during the presentation and prepare reasoned responses, simulating the author’s rebuttal to peer review comments.
    • Analysis:
      • Problem Statement: Clearly outline the primary problem the paper addresses.
      • Motivation: Discuss why the problem is important and what drives the research.
      • Method: Summarize the approach or methodology the paper proposes, highlighting any novel techniques or theories.
      • Experiments: Provide a short analysis and comment on the experiments conducted in the paper, focusing on their design, execution, and the validity of the conclusions drawn from them.

Presentation

  • Duration:
    • Standard Papers: 12-15 minutes.
    • Survey Papers: 30-45 minutes, presented in a tutorial style.
  • Format:
    • Slides: Prepare a PowerPoint presentation to guide your talk.
    • Content Distribution:
      • Standard Papers:
        • 10-11 minutes focused on the main material of the paper.
        • 5 minutes dedicated to providing necessary background and context.
      • Survey Papers:
        • Break down the presentation into 3 x 15-minute videos, covering different sections comprehensively.
  • Interaction:
    • Prepare 3-5 quiz questions with answers to ensure that the audience has grasped the key concepts of the paper. These questions should be crafted in such a way that they can be answered by attendees based solely on the information from your presentation.

Implementation

  • Requirement: Implement a minimal version of the main algorithm or method presented in the paper, using a simple environment to demonstrate the paper’s features.
    • Code Quality:
      • The code should be completely self-contained with detailed installation instructions.
      • It is recommended to include a Python notebook to walk through the main points, where math and code can be demonstrated side by side.
  • Exceptions:
    • If implementing the paper is impractical (e.g., if it’s a survey paper or requires resources beyond the scope of the course), teams must inform the instructors one week ahead of the deadline, providing a detailed justification for the lack of implementation.
    • Explain the barriers to implementation and discuss the theoretical implications or applications of the paper instead.

General Guidelines

  • Engagement: Encourage interactive discussion and feedback during your presentation to simulate a real conference talk environment.
  • Preparation: In addition to your slides, consider preparing additional materials or handouts if they help clarify complex concepts discussed in the paper.
  • Feedback: After your presentation, you will receive feedback from both peers and instructors. Use this feedback to refine your understanding and presentation skills.

Objectives

  • Understanding: Demonstrate a deep understanding of the paper’s content, context, and contributions.
  • Communication: Effectively communicate the essence and implications of the paper to an audience that may not be familiar with all the technical details.
  • Critical Thinking: Engage critically with the material, identifying potential improvements, extensions, or the broader impact of the work.

By adhering to these guidelines and focusing on the detailed examination and presentation of your chosen paper, your team will gain valuable insights into the process of academic dissemination and peer review.