Guest Speakers and Honorariums

[TurnUpMyRadio]

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Hello,

I am a medical student who is attempting to put together a periodic lecture series from guest speakers. I am somewhat new to this, so I'm afraid that I don't know how to approach the issue of honorariums for guest speakers. I know that it can obviously encourage a speaker to come visit, but don't want to bring up the issue in a gauche manner either.

It makes sense to me that I wouldn't bring this up for speakers from my home institution, who are willing to speak regardless. How would you bring this up with someone from, say, your undergraduate institution, someone you may have met at a conference, or someone with whom you have absolutely no affiliation with? If you are a physician, how would you feel most comfortable being asked about this? What is a typical honorarium, and what factors would make it increase (distance required to travel? reputation/fame?)

Thanks for your help!

 

[ollantaytambo]

I dealt with this last year when organizing speakers for an AIDS Week on campus. I don't know if we handled this appropriately or not, but we only offered to cover travel and never offered an honorarium. One or two professors brought it up and we declined to pay. Most never mentioned it and were happy to come speak.