Submitting An Abstract, Presentation or Full Paper

Who can participate?

All higher degree by research students, early career researchers (who have been research-active for less than three years), and honours, graduate diploma and higher degree by coursework students who are undertaking research (must have at least one-third research component) are invited to participate in the research conference.

How can I participate?

You can participate in the conference in one of two ways:
Oral presentation of research results
All postgraduate/honours students and other eligible participants who are at the stage in their research where they have research outcomes are invited to give a presentation on the day of the conference. This year's conference will include a series of concurrent sessions clustered according to research areas. Intending presenters are encouraged but not required to submit a full paper; however, all intending presenters are required to submit an abstract for inclusion in the Book of Abstracts. Please note that only those with research outcomes are eligible to present.

Poster presentation of work-in-progress or research intent All postgraduate/honours students and other eligible participants who have work-in-progress or a research intention to present are invited to submit a poster presentation for display. A poster presentation on your work-in-progress or your research intent is a great opportunity to share ideas and receive encouragement and feedback. At this year's conference, the poster presentation session will be featured as a formal part of the conference program. Intending poster presenters are required to submit an abstract for inclusion in the Book of Abstracts.

Submission of Full Papers

Please note the major prize of $500 for the most outstanding full Conference Paper. As discussed all intending presenters are encouraged to submit a full paper. Participants intending to submit full papers are encouraged to seek peer review as part of the preparation of the paper. Papers must be proof read and approved for submission by your principal supervisor. Abstracts are not required for full papers. Instructions to authors for "Full Conference Papers"

Do I need to submit an abstract?

Participating postgraduate students and staff, including intending poster presenters, are required to submit a 400-word abstract for inclusion in the Book of Abstracts. Abstracts are not required for full papers. Abstracts must be prepared using the electronic template that has been designed for conference participants (available at http://www.ballarat.edu.au/ard/ubresearch/researchconference/templates.shtml) and MUST adhere to the guidelines accompanying the template.

IMPORTANT:
Please note, it is important that your supervisor review your abstract. Abstracts not approved by supervisors will not be accepted.

When submitting your abstract, please specify your intended level of participation (i.e., presentation, or poster display). Please note that abstracts may be modified slightly where necessary by the Research Conference Steering Committee.

The Conference Review Panel is looking for abstracts that exhibit the following features:

Clear articulation of the research problem or research focus
Demonstration of advancement or application of new knowledge
Use of terminology to present technical matters in an accessible way
Cogent arguments for the quality, significance and the meaning for society of this advance or this new knowledge, consistent with the theme of this year's conference
Description of research that suggests a high probability of refereed publication

Your abstract must be submitted electronically as an MS Word attachment to Lou Buttler (HDResearch@ballarat.edu.au) at the Research & Graduate Studies Office to be received by 5 pm on Friday 8th August 2008.

Please provide a picture of yourself when you are submitting your abstract. This will be used in the 'Book of Abstracts'. If you do not have a picture, Lou will take a picture in the Research & Graduate Studies Office when you submit your Abstract.

How do I arrange for my poster to be displayed?

Posters should possess visual clarity, be laminated (where practicable) and display the approved UB logo (refer to the Communication Standard Guide on the University website) and your contact details.
All posters must be submitted to the Research & Graduate Studies Office by 5 pm on Friday 24 October 2008.

How can I find out more about making a presentation?

The Graduate Centre will offer a workshop prior to the conference on presentation skills.

Wednesday 8 October	Poster Workshop	Singrayer Florentine	12.30 - 2.30pm	Graduate Centre Training Room F Building
Wednesday 22 October	Practice Sessions for the Research Conference	Associate Professor Jim Sillitoe	12.30 - 2.30pm	Graduate Centre Training Room F Building
Wednesday 29 October	Practice Sessions for the Research Conference	Associate Professor Jim Sillitoe	12.30 - 2.30pm	Graduate Centre Training Room F Building

Each presentation will be allotted twelve minutes, plus three minutes for Q & A. There will be a three-minute grace period between each presentation. Intending presenters should note that adherence to time restrictions is among the criteria for assessment of prizes for best presentation. Feedback will be given to presenters on the quality of their presentations.

To ensure a professional standard of presentation, presenters are encouraged to prepare a PowerPoint slide show or equivalent electronic presentation. Electronic presentations are to be submitted to Stephen Chambers in the Research & Graduate Studies Office by 5 pm on Friday 24 October 2008. Note please that if you do not provide your presentation by the due date, written explanation will need to be forwarded to the Dean of Graduate Studies.

A PowerPoint template can be found at http://www.ballarat.edu.au/ard/ubresearch/researchconference/templates.shtml

What if I want to submit a full paper?

Submission of a full paper is optional. If you choose to submit a full paper, it must be submitted to the Research & Graduate Studies Office by 5 pm on Friday 10 October 2008.

When submitting a full paper, you will need to specify a relevant journal for full paper peer review purposes and provide a copy of the 'Notes for contributors' (or stated purposes/objectives) of the target journal. The Conference Review Panel will read all papers with reference to the target journal requirements and provide feedback. Full papers will be assessed for the major prize.

Please note that a condition of submission of a full paper is that it should not have been previously published.

Instructions to authors for "Full Conference Papers"