Abstract submissions are now open

A Showcase of research, practice, leadership and policy submissions can be on any aspect of research and development in higher education. Showcase presentations will be evidence-based and not only outline the research, initiative or practice being showcased but, equally, provide clear evidence of its outcomes or its effectiveness. Quantitative and qualitative evidence of effectiveness are equally acceptable.

Can be presented onsite or virtually. Please ensure you select the correct presentation format upon submitting the abstract.

Abstract submission guidelines

An abstract (maximum 300 words) must be submitted for review for showcase presentations. The abstract should be submitted as text and typed directly into the text box provided in the submission portal and NOT contain any information that might identify the author/s.

The abstract MUST include the below headings (the bolded words only): 

• Focus of the Showcase (e.g. presentation of research outcomes, provision of a practical application related to research, industry focussed perspective)
• Background/context, including relevant literature
• Descriptionof the research, initiative or practice
• Method(s) of evaluative data collection and analysis
• Evidenceof outcomes and effectiveness
• Contribution to scholarship and/or practice
• Engagement, identify how you plan to engage your audience. For example: the use of a reflective question or conversation prompt.

There will be a separate text box provided for references. All references (maximum 300 words) should be typed directly into this text box and follow the APA7 referencing guide. 

In addition to the abstract, you must submit a statement (maximum of 200 words) demonstrating the relevance of your topic to research and development in higher education.

Presenting guidelines

If the abstract is accepted into the program, each showcase presentation will run for 25 minutes including a 5 minute Q&A session. This is an oral presentation. Audio-visual equipment will be available: lectern, screen and data projector.  You will be required to upload your PPT presentation to speakers prep once onsite.

Virtual showcases will be a part of the virtual program; rehearsal times will be held prior for set up and connection reassurance. Please note you must be live to present your virtual showcase. Pre-recording of your virtual showcase will not be permitted.

Submissions for a Roundtable discussion can be on any aspect of research and development in higher education. A Roundtable session is a dialogue focused on a particular topic. While the proposer of the topic hosts the roundtable session, each person has an equal right to participate in the dialogue. The proposed topic does not need to be based around any particular research; it may come from observation, the lived experience or society in general.

As the title suggests, the dialogue occurs in a small group (maximum of 10 participants), seated around a table at the conference venue. Your audience will be small but focused. Please note other roundtable discussions will be taking place simultaneously, which may result in a lot of noise due to the volume of conversations happening at once.

Roundtable discussions can only be presented onsite.

Abstract submission guidelines

At this conference, a Roundtable discussion 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 merely 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 is 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 for roundtable discussions. The abstract should be submitted as text and typed directly into the text box provided in the submission portal and NOT contain any information that might identify the author/s.

The abstract MUST include the below headings (the bolded words only): 

• Formatof the roundtable (ie Point for Debate or Work-in-Progress or Birds of a Feather)
• The point for debateor the focus of the work-in-progress or the topic for discussion
• Context/backgroundto the proposed session
• Description of research/initiative or practice
• Intended outcome and contribution to scholarship/practice
• Engagement how you plan to engage your audience.

There will be a separate text box provided for references. All references (maximum 300 words) should be typed directly into this text box and follow the APA7 referencing guide. 

In addition to the abstract, you must submit a statement (maximum of 200 words) demonstrating the relevance of your topic to research and development in higher education.

Presenting guidelines

If the abstract is accepted into the program, each roundtable discussion will run for 25 minutes. No Q&A session. This is a roundtable discussion. A roundtable discussion is a conversation where a small group shares ideas and explores different perspectives on a topic. Roundtable discussions have no access to any audiovisual equipment, no PowerPoint Presentations or projections.

You are welcome to bring your own presentation materials to support your roundtable discussion; however, this is optional and entirely up to you. Please note that the venue cannot provide paper, pens, or other materials. You will have a minimum of five minutes during presenter changeover to set up, so please ensure you bring everything you need.

Submissions for a Lightning Talk Poster Presentation can be on any aspect of research and development in higher education. Posters will be evidence-based and make appropriate reference to the literature. A Lightning Talk Poster Presentation allows participants with similar interests to interact by using the poster as a discussion point.

Lightning Talk Poster presentations can only be presented onsite.

Abstract submission guidelines

An abstract (maximum 300 words) must be submitted for review for Lightning Talk Poster Presentation. The abstract should be submitted as text and typed directly into the text box provided in the submission portal and NOT contain any information that might identify the author/s.

The abstract MUST include the below headings (the bolded words only): 

• Aim
• Background/context, includingrelevant literature
• Descriptionof the research, initiative or practice
• Method(s) of evaluative data collection and analysis
• Evidenceof outcomes and effectiveness
• Contributionto scholarship and/or practice.

There will be a separate text box provided for references. All references (maximum 300 words) should be typed directly into this text box and follow the APA7 referencing guide. 

In addition to the abstract, you must submit a statement (maximum of 200 words) demonstrating the relevance of your topic to research and development in higher education.

Presenting guidelines

If the abstract is accepted into the program, each Lightning Talk Poster Presentation will run for 15 minutes. An allocation of 10 minutes for the presentation and 5 minutes for Q&A. No access to any audiovisual equipment

All Lightning Talk Poster Presenters must print and provide a hard-copy A0 printed poster to display onsite within the dedicated Lightning Talk Poster area. Presenters will have a dedicated time within the Lightning Talk Poster Program to present their poster in person; presenters must be available at this time. Authors can discuss their poster with other delegates during the breaks.  Poster presenters must be available to attend the onsite poster session on the afternoon of Tuesday 6 July 2027

An onsite poster should consist of one single A0 size page in PORTRAIT format (poster must not exceed 841mm wide x 1189mm high).

Submissions for a Poster Presentation – onsite can be on any aspect of research and development in higher education. Posters will be evidence-based and make appropriate reference to the literature. A Poster Presentation – onsite allows participants with similar interests to interact by using the poster as a discussion point.

Poster Presentations onsite can only be presented onsite.

Abstract submission guidelines

An abstract (maximum 300 words) must be submitted for review for Poster Presentation – onsite. The abstract should be submitted as text and typed directly into the text box provided in the submission portal and NOT contain any information that might identify the author/s.

The abstract MUST include the below headings (the bolded words only): 

• Aim
• Background/context, includingrelevant literature
• Descriptionof the research, initiative or practice
• Method(s) of evaluative data collection and analysis
• Evidenceof outcomes and effectiveness
• Contributionto scholarship and/or practice.

There will be a separate text box provided for references. All references (maximum 300 words) should be typed directly into this text box and follow the APA7 referencing guide. 

In addition to the abstract, you must submit a statement (maximum of 200 words) demonstrating the relevance of your topic to research and development in higher education.

Presenting guidelines

If the abstract is accepted into the program, each poster presenter must print and provide  a hard-copy A0 printed poster to display onsite within the dedicated poster area, where authors can discuss their poster with other delegates. No dedicated presentation time will be assigned. No access to any audiovisual equipment.

Poster presenters must be available to attend the onsite poster session on the afternoon of Tuesday 6 July 2027

An onsite poster should consist of one single A0 size page in PORTRAIT format (poster must not exceed 841mm wide x 1189mm high).

Submissions for a Poster Presentation – virtual can be on any aspect of research and development in higher education. Posters will be evidence-based and make appropriate reference to the literature. A Poster allows participants with similar interests to interact virtually, using the poster as a discussion point. Connections are facilitated through the Meeting Hub within the virtual program, where delegates can ask questions of the poster presenter. Please note that poster discussions are not live and responses may not be immediate.

Poster Presentation – virtual can only be presented virtually via the virtual program.

Abstract submission guidelines

An abstract (maximum 300 words) must be submitted for review for Poster Presentation – virtual The abstract should be submitted as text and typed directly into the text box provided in the submission portal and NOT contain any information that might identify the author/s.

The abstract MUST include the below headings (the bolded words only): 

• Aim
• Background/context, includingrelevant literature
• Descriptionof the research, initiative or practice
• Method(s) of evaluative data collection and analysis
• Evidenceof outcomes and effectiveness
• Contributionto scholarship and/or practice.

There will be a separate text box provided for references. All references (maximum 300 words) should be typed directly into this text box and follow the APA7 referencing guide. 

In addition to the abstract, you must submit a statement (maximum of 200 words) demonstrating the relevance of your topic to research and development in higher education.

Presenting guidelines

If the abstract is accepted into the virtual program, each Poster Presentation – virtual will be available to be viewed as part of the virtual program during the dedicated session on Tuesday 6 July 2027. Plus exclusive viewing to both onsite and virtual delegates throughout the conference, via the conference app.  This is a virtual poster presentation.

All Poster Presentations – virtual presenters must submit a digital poster that will consist of one slide (the poster) including a recorded presentation of up to three minutes, provided as a mp4 file.