Writing a Conference Abstract

OVERVIEW

What is a conference abstract?

What are the functions of a conference abstract?

How do I write a conference abstract? General tips

Conference-specific information for the SU UGR Symposium

WHAT IS A CONFERENCE ABSTRACT?

Mini version of the conference presentation

Components

1. Title

2. Introduction

3. Technical parts (body)

4. Deliverable and conclusion

1. Title

3. Technical parts

2. Introduction

4. Deliverable

Undergraduate Research at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta offers many opportunities for undergraduate students to learn about and engage in research, creative works, and community service through courses and individual studies; formal and informal student groups and volunteer opportunities; open talks, seminars, and workshops; honors, internship, externship, work-experience, and co-operative activities programs; and undergraduate student research awards. These opportunities and experiences are administered by individual faculty and researchers, departments, Faculties, the Students’ Union, student groups, the Libraries, the Office of the Dean of Students, the Office of the Vice-President (Research), the Office of Student Awards, and many other units and groups across campus. Although there are many opportunities for students, many students do not know about these opportunities.

The Undergraduate Research Initiative (URI) brings students and opportunities together, supporting undergraduate students as they develop discipline-specific and interdisciplinary research skills and scholarly attitudes that prove useful for employment, research, and service in the community. The URI has four main functions: (1) To raise students’ awareness of and interest in undergraduate research; (2) To support students in developing the knowledge and skills needed for participation in undergraduate research; (3) To facilitate opportunities for students to engage in undergraduate research; and (4) To assist students in disseminating and celebrating undergraduate research results and achievements.

This poster will describe different initiatives developed as part of URI, namely, an inventory f undergraduate research opportunities, workshops on how to engage in undergraduate research, and funding to support undergraduate research and researchers.

WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF A CONFERENCE ABSTRACT?

Inform Clear and concise description of the

research or creative work

Outline of the poster, presentation, display, paper

Persuade The readers to be interested

The conference organizers to accept

Title

Technical parts

Introduction

Deliverable

Undergraduate Research at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta offers many opportunities for undergraduate students to learn about and engage in research, creative works, and community service through courses and individual studies; formal and informal student groups and volunteer opportunities; open talks, seminars, and workshops; honors, internship, externship, work-experience, and co-operative activities programs; and undergraduate student research awards. These opportunities and experiences are administered by individual faculty and researchers, departments, Faculties, the Students’ Union, student groups, the Libraries, the Office of the Dean of Students, the Office of the Vice-President (Research), the Office of Student Awards, and many other units and groups across campus. Although there are many opportunities for students, many students do not know about these opportunities.

The Undergraduate Research Initiative (URI) brings students and opportunities together, supporting undergraduate students as they develop discipline-specific and interdisciplinary research skills and scholarly attitudes that prove useful for employment, research, and service in the community. The URI has four main functions: (1) To raise students’ awareness of and interest in undergraduate research; (2) To support students in developing the knowledge and skills needed for participation in undergraduate research; (3) To facilitate opportunities for students to engage in undergraduate research; and (4) To assist students in disseminating and celebrating undergraduate research results and achievements.

This poster will describe different initiatives developed as part of URI, namely, an inventory f undergraduate research opportunities, workshops on how to engage in undergraduate research, and funding to support undergraduate research and researchers.

HOW DO I WRITE A CONFERENCE ABSTRACT? IMPORTANT

CONSIDERATIONS

Audience Reviewers

Conference

Goals of conference presentation Inform

Persuade

Demonstrate

Always look at what the Call for Proposals requires!

WHAT ABOUT OUR EXAMPLE?

Audience Reviewers

Conference

Goals of conference presentation Inform

Persuade

Demonstrate

GENERAL TIPS

1. Title Informative

Interesting

2. Introduction Appropriate background

Persuasive

Interesting

GENERAL TIPS

3. Technical parts Minimal jargon

Clear

Interesting and persuasive

4. Deliverable and conclusion

WHAT ABOUT OUR EXAMPLE?

1. Title Informative

Interesting

From:

Undergraduate Research at the University of Alberta

To:

WHAT ABOUT OUR EXAMPLE?

2. Introduction Appropriate background

Persuasive

Interesting

WHAT ABOUT OUR EXAMPLE?

The University of Alberta offers many opportunities for undergraduate students to

learn about and engage in research, creative works, and community service through

courses and individual studies; formal and informal student groups and volunteer

opportunities; open talks, seminars, and workshops; honors, internship, externship,

work-experience, and co-operative activities programs; and undergraduate student

research awards. These opportunities and experiences are administered by

individual faculty and researchers, departments, Faculties, the Students’ Union,

student groups, the Libraries, the Office of the Dean of Students, the Office of the

Vice-President (Research), the Office of Student Awards, and many other units and

groups across campus. Although there are many opportunities for students, many

students do not know about these opportunities.

WHAT ABOUT OUR EXAMPLE?

3. Technical parts Minimal jargon

Clear

Interesting and persuasive

The Undergraduate Research Initiative (URI) brings students and opportunities

together, supporting undergraduate students as they develop discipline-specific and

interdisciplinary research skills and scholarly attitudes that prove useful for

employment, research, and service in the community. The URI has four main

functions: (1) To raise students’ awareness of and interest in undergraduate

research; (2) To support students in developing the knowledge and skills needed for

participation in undergraduate research; (3) To facilitate opportunities for students

to engage in undergraduate research; and (4) To assist students in disseminating

and celebrating undergraduate research results and achievements.

WHAT ABOUT OUR EXAMPLE?

WHAT ABOUT OUR EXAMPLE?

4. Deliverable and conclusion

This poster will describe different initiatives developed as part of URI, namely, an

inventory of undergraduate research opportunities, workshops on how to

engage in undergraduate research, and funding to support undergraduate

research and researchers.

Learning, Discovery and Student Engagement: The Undergraduate Research Initiative

At the University of Alberta, we value learning, discovery, and citizenship in partnership with one of our greatest sources of diversity and strength, undergraduate students. We offer many opportunities for undergraduate students to learn about and engage in research, creative works, and community service through courses and individual studies; formal and informal student groups and volunteer opportunities; open talks, seminars, and workshops; honors, internship, externship, work-experience, and co-operative activities programs; and undergraduate student research awards. These opportunities and experiences are administered by a wide range of units, many of which are not accessible to students.

The Undergraduate Research Initiative brings students and opportunities together, supporting undergraduate students as they develop discipline-specific and interdisciplinary research skills and scholarly attitudes that prove useful for employment, research, and service in the community. We have developed a searchable inventory of undergraduate research opportunities, workshops for developing research and professional skills, and funding to support undergraduate research and researchers.

Through our interactive poster, we will elaborate some of these new initiatives and collect ideas about additional initiatives. Our goal is to raise awareness of this important new initiative and become more responsive to undergraduate student needs. Undergraduate students are our future leaders in research and creative arts and the Undergraduate Research Initiative supports and celebrates students in their great discoveries and creative contributions.

SU UGDR SYMPOSIUM INFORMATION

Deadline: October 28, 5 p.m.

250 words for the symposium abstract

150 words for research project

(can get a little more technical)

100 words on background

General review panel Be clear an concise!

Avoid jargon!

WHERE CAN I GET ASSISTANCE?

Your supervisor(s)

Student colleagues

SU (http://www.su.ualberta.ca/governance/executives/projects/urs)

URI (http://uri.ualberta.ca)

Libraries (http://guides.library.ualberta.ca/undergraduateresearch )

Centre for Writers (http://www.c4w.arts.ualberta.ca )