How to Create a Proposal

Research Sessions (20 minutes)

Research sessions should discuss applied research findings or explore innovative practices and programs. Interaction and participant engagement are key elements of these conference sessions, though there may be elements of more traditional presentations as well. Proposals should include:

  1. Names, positions, institutional affiliations, and contact information for the presenter(s). The person who submits the proposal will be the key contact. Indicate whether each presenter is attending the conference.
  2. Session title.
  3. Session abstract (not to exceed 150 words) outlining the research content for the session. Word your abstract so that participants will have an idea of what your session will be about. This abstract will appear in the conference program.
  4. A descriptive outline – seen only by reviewers – of what you will cover in your session including:
    • how your session will encourage participant engagement and interaction (discussion, video, group activities, etc.);
    • relevant research and scholarship that you will draw upon in your session;
    • how your session relates to the conference theme; and
    • how your session relates to the intended audience (i.e., graduate students, teaching assistants, faculty, sessional instructors, administrators, and staff who support teaching and learning).
  5. Audiovisual requirements.

Interactive Poster

Posters are a vibrant way to showcase research findings, innovative practices, and programs. To emphasize the value and importance of posters as a way to disseminate information, network with others interested in similar topics, and access rich feedback, an award will be presented for the best poster. Although posters should be self-explanatory, presenters must be in attendance during the time allocated to the poster presentation. We strongly encourage interactive, creative, and innovative approaches to poster presentations. Proposals should include:

  1. Names, positions, institutional affiliations, and contact information for the presenter(s). The person who submits the proposal will be the key contact. Indicate whether each presenter is attending the conference.
  2. Poster title.
  3. Poster abstract (not to exceed 150 words) outlining the objectives, content, and format for the poster. This abstract will appear in the conference program.
  4. A descriptive outline – seen only by reviewers – of what you will cover in your poster including:
    • how your session will encourage participant engagement;
    • relevant research and scholarship that your poster draws upon;
    • how your poster relates to the conference theme; and
    • how your poster relates to the intended audience (i.e., graduate students, teaching assistants, faculty, sessional instructors, administrators, and staff who support teaching and learning).
  5. Equipment needs.

Roundtables

Roundtables provide opportunities for authors to share their research, perhaps in its earlier stages, in an informal setting, using a conversational approach with friends and colleagues who may be interested in your research topic. Accepted papers will be grouped into tables of approximately three presenters. Each presenter will be assigned to a table, and each table will have a chair to facilitate participation. Each presenter will have 12-15 minutes to present, with a 5-8 minute question period following each presentation.

Given the informal structure of the roundtable presentation, audiovisual equipment will not be provided.

Roundtable proposals should describe as many of the following as are applicable, preferably in this order:

  • Topic;
  • Objectives or purposes of the proposed topic/research;
  • Importance of the topic;
  • Perspectives or theoretical/conceptual frameworks that are important to the topic;
  • Data, evidence, or resources related to the discussion topic;
  • Conclusions and implications;
  • Strategies such as key questions that you will use to start the discussion following your presentation.

Please submit a proposal of no more than 200 words. The proposal should directly and specifically address as many of the above items as possible. Please organize your proposal using these headings.

This proposal format is based on information posted on the Association for the Study of Higher Education website.http://www.ashe.ws/format.roundtable