I was once told never to wear a skirt to a research conference, since I would not be "taken seriously". To that I say, pishaw (at least I don't wear sweatpants). But yeah, challenge accepted. Here are some seriously fabulous slash professional skirts for your future research conference needs:
1 - Zara flared skirt with belt ($39.90)
2 - J. Crew pencil skirt in stripe tweed ($128.00)
3 - HD in Paris petaluma skirt ($148.00)
4 - Diane von Furstenberg new koto skirt ($225.00)