Tips and hints for creating effective abstracts

1. Effective conference submissions
WCOL transforming lives and societies
13th February 2019
Gráinne Conole and Orna Farrell
Dublin City University

2. Outline
− Overview of the WCOL, overarching
questions, key themes and submission
types
− Tips and hints on what makes a good
submission
− Brainstorming in groups on ideas for
submissions
− Sharing of ideas and refinement
− Making the most of the conference and
use of social media
− Converting conference presentations
into articles
− Next steps

3. Previous experience
−Benefits of attending
conferences
−Previous experience of
submitting abstracts and
attending conferences
− What was good
− What was not so good
Image source

4. 2019 Conference
Dublin

5. Big questions
− What is the future of online
education?
− How can online education contribute
to better futures?
− What is required to harness the
potential of online education?
− What are the implications of online
learning for educational leaders?
− How should governments and policy-
makers respond to online education?
Image source

6. Sub-themes
− Transformative Online Pedagogies
− Reimaging Online Education for Better Futures
− Expanding Access, Openness, and Flexibility
− Promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
− Innovative Learning Designs for Student
Success
− Open Pathways and New Credentials for
Lifelong Learning
− New Business and Delivery Models for
Changing Times
− Education for Healthy Lives and Communities
− New Skills for Living and Working in New
Times
− Global Challenges and Glocal Solutions
Image source

7. Types of presentations
−Research findings
−Positional piece
−Workshop
−Literature review
−Panel discussion
−Format
− Digital poster (100 words)
− Concise paper (250 words)
− Full paper (400 words)
Image source

8. Tips and hints
− Catchy title
− Abstract summarises presentation
and addresses conference themes
− Keep to the word limit
− Think about
− What is the problem you address?
− What method(s) do you use to
research this problem?
− What data have you been able to
produce or process?
− What findings will you be able to
discuss?
− Include acknowledgements
Image source

9. Brainstorming session
−List potential topics and co-
authors
−Choose a conference theme
−Choose a session format
−Decide on focus
−Jot down ideas for what to
include
−Think about why it’s
interesting
Image source

10. Preparing the slides
− Use correct DCU template
− Include an outline
− Keep text short
− Include images with
acknowledgements
− Have a clear structure and
conclusion
− Include references
− Practice and check timing!
− Post slides online and tweet
− Slide with email, blog and Twitter ID Image source

11. Working the conference
−Identify people to target at
the conference
−Give out business cards
−Choose sessions to attend
−Take a draft paper/leaflets
−Consider writing a blog post
−Use the conference hashtag
−Network at social events
−Follow up
Image source

12. Converting to a paper
−Elicit feedback from people
at the conference
−Refine paper
−Target journal and align to
its focus
−Get colleagues’ comments
−Ensure references are in the
correct format
Image source

13. Most of all enjoy it!
Image source
https://www.themuse.com/advice/a-conference-junkies-guide-to-attending-and-enjoying-conferences

14. A world top young university
Email: grainne.conole@dcu.ie, orna.Farrell@dcu.ie
Blog: e4innovation.com
Twitter: @gconole, @orna_farrell