What are conference proceedings?
Conferences are a major source of cutting edge research. At conferences, researchers present a paper on their research and discuss this with attendees. The papers presented at a conference are then usually published (but not always). They can therefore give you the latest information on research in your field.
Why can conference proceedings be so difficult to find?
There is no standard way of publishing or indexing conference proceedings. They might be published as online conference papers, as articles within a journal, or as books of conference proceedings. Sometimes the proceedings are not published and may only be available from the authors.
They may also be called meetings, symposia, seminars, colloquia, congresses, workshops, or conventions!
How to find conference proceedings
Search databases that index conference papers
Web of Science indexes 160,000+ conference proceedings dating from 1990. Select 'Web of Science Core Collection', then under 'More settings' tick 'Conference Proceedings Citation Index' to include conference proceedings in your search.
Scopus includes 6.8m conference papers. In 'Document search', enter your search term then select 'Conference' from the drop-down box on the right of the search term box.
Google Scholar indexes conference papers. Search by keyword and add the word 'conference' and the year to your search e.g. 'conference chemistry 2015'. See Google Scholar Search tips.
Citations for conference proceedings are often included in subject-specific databases and databases created just for proceedings
The British Library conference index contains the records of 400,000 conference proceedings held in stock, with 16,000 new records added each year. Please see our Requesting items not held in Cambridge web page for more information. Please be aware that the British Library conference index is currently unavailable due to the 2023 cyber attack. The BL have confirmed that they plan to restore the index, but have not provided a timeframe for this.
Search for the conference proceedings as a book or journal
Search the library catalogue, iDiscover, for the conference name or the ISBN of the proceeding (not the title of the conference paper). For proceedings published in a special journal issue search the library catalogue for the name of the journal. For example, MRS (Materials Research Society) Proceedings.
Search for a website for the conference or from its sponsor
These will often tell you if the proceedings have been published. Some even offer abstracts or full-text on the conference website. For example:
- ACS (American Chemical Society). These are also subscribed to in print by Cambridge University Library, and are searchable via iDiscover with the term 'ACS Symposium Series'. You can also select 'Meetings' from the ACS home page to find information on their conferences.
- AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers). Select 'Events & Resources' from the AIChE home page then 'Conferences & Events'.
- AIP (American Institute of Physics) Scitation. Scitation is the online home of leading journals and conference proceedings from AIP Publishing and AIP Member Societies.
- SPIE (the International Society for Optics and Photonics) Conference Procedings. The SPIE conference program is known for bringing together engineers and scientists at the top of their fields to present their latest research and network with peers. SPIE conferences result in over 350 proceedings annually, reports on state of the art and cutting-edge technology advancements, frequently long before they are captured in archival journals.
- ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Proceedings. Conference topics encompass the entire spectrum of subject areas of interest to mechanical engineers and associated disciplines.
