Abstract Categories and Presentation Types
Please note abstract submissions have now closed.
All researchers engaging in clinical or laboratory/basic science research across MSH and affiliated research institutes are invited to submit abstracts.
Abstract Categories
Abstracts are to be submitted for consideration under one of six possible categories, determined by the following 'researcher' and 'research' sub-categories.
Researcher sub-categories
- Student researcher—any student undertaking an Honours, Masters or PhD.
- Early career researcher (ECR)—anyone who is within five years of their Honours, Masters, PhD, or highest qualification degree who is not currently enrolled in a research higher degree.
- Other (not a student or ECR).
Research sub-categories
- Clinical research
- Laboratory/basic science research
Presentation Types
Abstracts submitted and to be presented by students/ECRs will be considered for an oral presentation or a poster presentation. Abstracts submitted by others (not a student or ECR) will be considered for a poster presentation.
Oral presentation
Three oral presentation finalists will be selected from each of the four ‘student/ECR researcher: clinical/laboratory research’ categories with eligible student/ECR authors invited to present a four-minute ‘lightning talk’ presentation (+1 minute for questions) at the Research Presentation Awards oral finalist session on-site for consideration of Best Student/ECR Oral Presentation Awards.
If you are not selected as an oral finalist and wish to be considered for a poster presentation, please ensure you tick both options on the abstract submission form.
Poster presentation
Three poster presentation finalists will be selected from each of the four ‘student/ECR researcher: clinical/laboratory research’ categories with eligible student/ECR authors invited to present a 1-minute “elevator pitch” with their posters on-site to a panel of judges for consideration of Best Student/ECR Poster Presentation Awards.
All other presenters accepted for presentation at the Poster Session will also need to present onsite with their posters and be available to answer questions from symposium attendees to be eligible for a People’s Choice Poster Presentation Award.
All posters will be displayed onsite.
What is a lightning talk?
A lightning talk is a very short presentation lasting a total of only five minutes (four minutes of presentation plus one minute of questions). Lightning talks are an entertaining and focussed method of sharing information. The goal of the lightning talk is to articulate the topic in an efficient, insightful and clear manner.
- Lightning talks are strictly limited to four minutes with one minute for questions.
- Lightning talks are strictly limited to 10 PowerPoint slides, not including the title slide.
What is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch is a concise presentation about the research/project that creates a memorable and positive impression and opens the door to further interest and conversation.
- Elevator pitches are strictly limited to one minute.
Abstract Format
Abstracts are to be structured in the following sections and be maximum 250 words, with no bullet points.
- Background (what is the purpose)
- Method (what we did and how we did it)
- Results (what we found)
- Conclusion
When submitting your abstract, please follow the instructions and adhere to the template provided on the abstract portal. Abstracts that do not conform to the Abstract format (above), or the template may be deemed ineligible at the sole discretion of the judging panel and removed from further consideration. The submission deadline has been extended to 3pm Thursday 13 June.
Judging criteria and guidelines
Key dates
- Monday 6 May: Abstract submission opens
- Thursday 13 June: Abstract submission deadline
- Friday 19 July: Authors notified and presentation guidelines provided
- Wednesday 28 August: 2024 Research Presentation Awards Oral and Poster Sessions.