Please note this call is for new submissions that were not previously submitted for the 2020 postponed conference.
Instructions to authors and abstract formatting guidelines
Presentation Formats
The following presentation formats are available.
- Pre-conference workshop (submissions for workshops have now closed)
- Showcase presentation of research, practice, leadership and policy
- Roundtable discussions
- Poster
Pre-conference Workshop
Pre-conference workshops provide an opportunity to engage participants in the application of theory and practice and to disseminate best practice and innovative pedagogy. The number of workshop slots is limited and will include invited workshops as well as those accepted through the review process. If the program cannot accommodate all suitable proposals for pre-conference workshops, proposers may be offered a shorter time slot in the main conference program.
An abstract (maximum 300 words) must be submitted for review. The abstract should be submitted as a word document using the A5 Word template and NOT contain any information that might identify the author/s. The abstract should include the title and describe
1. Aim of the workshop
2. Overview of the workshop
3. Intended audience
4. Context and if applicable reference to literature informing the workshop
5. Learning outcomes for participants
6. Brief workshop plan including activities to engage participants
The abstract will be published in the conference program. If accepted for presentation, you may be asked to make edits to the abstract before it is published. Facilitators will also be asked to provide a brief bio.
In addition to the abstract, you must submit a statement (maximum of 200 words) demonstrating relevance to research and development in higher education and one or more of the categories of topics provided. You will be prompted to enter this as text during the submission process.
Abstracts for pre-conference workshops will be reviewed against the following criteria:
- Relevance
- Aim and focus of the workshop
- Plan of activities and engagement
- Intended learning outcomes and contribution to practice
- Clarity and standard of writing
Pre-conference workshops will be allocated 180 minutes including a refreshment break. It is expected that the presenter will integrate activities, questions and discussion throughout the workshop. A full day workshop may be considered but will depend on space in the program and a strong justification.
Formatting guidelines
- Abstracts must be submitted on the A5 Word template and must fit within the space on the template provided.
- Do not change the page margins or any set up features.
- Do not include the presentation title or the author names and affiliations on the abstract. (These details will be captured during the online submission process).
- The abstract must be one single page only.
- The abstract should be typed in 10 point Calibri font (do not use “bold” type)
- All text should be entered in sentence case (do not type in CAPITAL LETTERS)
- Do not include any tables or images in the abstract.
Showcase of Research, Practice, Leadership and Policy
An abstract (maximum 300 words) must be submitted for review. The abstract should be submitted as a word document using the A5 Word template and NOT contain any information that might identify the author/s. The abstract should include the title and describe
1. Background/context
2. The initiative/practice
3. Method(s) of evaluative data collection and analysis
4. Evidence of outcomes and effectiveness
The abstract will be published in the conference program. If accepted for presentation, you may be asked to make edits to the abstract before it is published.
In addition to the abstract, you must submit a statement (maximum of 200 words) demonstrating relevance to research and development in higher education and one or more of the categories of topics provided. You will be prompted to enter this as text during the submission process.
Abstracts for showcase presentations will be reviewed against the following criteria:
- Relevance
- Description of the research, initiative or practice
- Contribution to scholarship and/or practice
- Clarity and standard of writing
Formatting guidelines
- Abstracts must be submitted on the A5 Word template and must fit within the space on the template provided.
- Do not change the page margins or any set up features.
- Do not include the author names and affiliations on the abstract. (These details will be captured during the online submission process).
- The abstract must be one single page only.
- The abstract should be typed in 10 point Calibri font (do not use “bold” type)
- All text should be entered in sentence case (do not type in CAPITAL LETTERS)
Do not include any tables or images in the abstract.
Roundtable
Each roundtable session will run for 25 minutes. Roundtable discussions do not require PowerPoint Presentations or projections.
At this conference, a roundtable session can take one of three forms – Point for Debate, Work-in-Progress, or Birds of Feather.
The Point for Debate format is an opportunity for delegates to engage in a robust debate about an issue or challenge that the proposer has identified as worthy of further exploration. The discussion may lead to the identification of ways to expose the issue or challenge to a wider audience with a view to addressing the issue or challenge through new collaborations and/or research.
The Work-in-Progress format is an opportunity for the proposer to briefly share their work-in-progress be it research, a new initiative or just an idea and seek feedback and input on the work with the view of shaping, refining and progressing that work.
The Birds of a Feather format is designed to provide an opportunity for informal, but guided, dialogue about topics that are timely and important to the field of higher education. The dialogue is driven by the participants and are intended to promote meaningful interaction between participants to share ideas and strategies and to learn from each other.
An abstract (maximum 300 words) must be submitted for review. The abstract should be submitted as a word document using the A5 Word template and NOT contain any information that might identify the author/s. The abstract should include the title and describe
1. The format of the round table (ie Point for Debate or Work-in-Progress or Birds of a Feather)
2. The point for debate or the focus of the work-in-progress or the topic for discussion
3. Context/background to the proposed session
4. Intended outcome
The abstract will be published in the conference program. If accepted for presentation, you may be asked to make edits to the abstract before it is published.
In addition to the abstract, you must submit a statement (maximum of 200 words) demonstrating relevance to research and development in higher education and one or more of the categories of topics provided. You will be prompted to enter this as text during the submission process.
Abstracts for Roundtable sessions will be reviewed against the following criteria:
- Relevance
- Potential to engage delegates in a rigorous discussion
- Potential to advance our understanding of higher education
- Clarity and standard of writing
Formatting guidelines
- Abstracts must be submitted on the A5 Word template and must fit within the space on the template provided
- Do not change the page margins or any set up features
- Do not include the author names and affiliations on the abstract (These details will be captured during the online submission process)
- The abstract must be one single page only
- The abstract should be typed in 10 point Calibri font (do not use “bold” type)
- All text should be entered in sentence case (do not type in CAPITAL LETTERS)
- Do not include any tables or images in the abstract.
Poster
An abstract (maximum 300 words) must be submitted for review. The abstract should be submitted as a word document using the A5 Word template and NOT contain any information that might identify the author/s. The abstract should include the title and describe
1. Background/context
2. Relevant literature
3. Description of the research or initiative/practice
4. Method(s) of evaluative data collection and analysis
5. Evidence of outcomes and effectiveness
The abstract will be published in the conference program. If accepted for presentation, you may be asked to make edits to the abstract before it is published.
In addition to the abstract, you must submit a statement (maximum of 200 words) demonstrating relevance to research and development in higher education and one or more of the categories of topics provided. You will be prompted to enter this as text during the submission process.
Abstracts for posters will be reviewed against the following criteria:
- Relevance
- Description of the research, initiative or practice
- Contribution to scholarship and/or practice
- Clarity and standard of writing
Posters will be available for viewing during a dedicated interactive poster session where authors can discuss their poster with other delegates.
Posters must conform to specifications provided upon acceptance. They must be A0 size and portrait orientation. You are encouraged to print your poster of fabric.
A prize will be awarded for the best poster voted by your fellow conference delegates.
Formatting guidelines
- Abstracts must be submitted on the A5 Word template and must fit within the space on the template provided
- Do not change the page margins or any set up features
- Do not include the author names and affiliations on the abstract (These details will be captured during the online submission process)
- The abstract must be one single page only
- The abstract should be typed in 10 point Calibri font (do not use “bold” type)
- All text should be entered in sentence case (do not type in CAPITAL LETTERS)
- Do not include any tables or images in the abstract.
The abstract submission portal will close on Friday 22 January 2021 (midnight AEST).
Research and Development in Higher Educations (RDHE):
In 2019, the HERDSA Executive decided to discontinue the full-paper submission option for the annual HERDSA Conference. However, after the conference, presenters were able to submit a full paper that was developed from their accepted and presented conference abstract. This publishing opportunity will be available for the HERDSA 2021 conference. The call for full papers together with a timeline and submission process will be made post-conference. Papers will go through a peer-review process and accepted papers will be published in Research and Development in Higher Education, Vol 43. Previous volumes of Research and Development in Higher Educations (RDHE) can be viewed at https://www.herdsa.org.au/publications/conference_proceedings.
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