Call For Abstracts

The theme of the 36th Annual Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences Research and Scholarship Day is “Brain Health: From Intervention to Prevention.”

Learners from McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, as well as our partner hospitals and research institutes, are invited to submit abstracts that relate to the theme of Brain Health. Given the interdisciplinary nature of this event, we encourage the submission of plain-language abstracts that communicate the overall importance of the work being conducted. They should be accessible to attendees from a broad range of academic backgrounds, and to people with lived experience (PWLE).

For tips concerning the construction of a plain-language abstract, please see: https://kidney.ca/KFOC/media/images/PDFs/2022-Best-PracticesforWriting-PlainLanguageAbstract-En_9.pdf.

Abstracts will be evaluated for the clarity of scientific communication and the ability to convey the importance and impact of the work being conducted, particularly in relation to advancing brain health. Please note this is a departure from previous years, where evaluation was primarily centred on scientific writing for subject matter experts.

Although we anticipate a larger number of posters than in previous years will be accepted, we may need to limit the overall number of posters accepted based on available space at the event venue. Authors will be notified of either acceptance or non-acceptance by email.

Please note that poster presenters across all disciplines will be eligible to receive an award for the best poster in each of the following six categories: undergraduate non-clincal; undergraduate clinical/education; graduate non-clinical; graduate clinical/education; resident; postdoctoral fellow. Abstract submissions will undergo pre-judging, with three finalists in each category selected to undergo in-person judging of their poster presentations at the event.

In order to promote interdisciplinary discussions, posters will be interleaved across disciplines and stages of learning, rather than siloed within a single discipline or learner category.

Please be certain to read the submission guidelines carefully, as they have changed from previous years.

Submission Guidelines

· One first-authored abstract per person

· Word limit: 500

· Ideally, abstracts will be connected in some way to the theme of “Brain Health: From Intervention to Prevention”

· Listing of contributing authors, identifying designation and Department affiliation

o (e.g., John Smith, M.Sc. Student, Graduate Studies in Medical Sciences; Jane Brown, MD, PhD, McMaster University)

· The abstract should outline the background, purpose, content, methodology, results, and conclusion of your work. The research can be at any stage of development including planned, work-in-progress, or completed projects.

· Submissions must be written in plain language and communicate the ideas and importance of the work to individuals working in a broad range of academic backgrounds and to persons with lived experience (PWLE).

· If in doubt about the clarity of your abstract, please review it with a colleague from another discipline prior to submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Poster Session?

The poster session is an important highlight of Research & Scholarship Day. It is a time where all attendees are encouraged to interact with presenters and provide feedback. This session provides a critical opportunity for our learners to display the scope of the research work taking place within the academic Faculty and its clinical sites and laboratories.

Who can submit an abstract?

This year, abstract submissions are open to Learners from across McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences, as well our partner hospitals and research institutes

Can the abstract be on any topic?

Ideally, abstracts will be connected in some way to the theme of “Brain Health: From Intervention to Prevention,” however, we recognize this may not always be possible. Please use your best judgment in this regard.

Can I submit more than one?

No, there’s a maximum of one first-authored abstract per learner.

Can there be co-authors on an abstract?

Yes.

Do I have to register for Research Day to submit an abstract?

Yes, registration is required. You will be unable to submit without registering.

What are the important dates to keep in mind?

Abstract submissions are due by 11:59 pm on March 12^th. We aim to notify all those who have been accepted, and those who have been accepted to compete for awards on Research Day, by April 9th. Posters should be uploaded on the event website before the event on April 30^th.

What happens following the initial competitive review process?

Following the initial competitive abstract review, learners will be notified if their abstracts have been accepted. The top three posters in each category as evaluated during the initial review will be judged in person on research day. The judged poster presentations on Research Day will occur within the poster exhibit space, and they will not involve a full presentation with slides in a separate space. All learners accepted to present will need to upload their poster to the event website prior to the event. Please note all learners will also need to print their posters and attend the poster session at Research Day to present their poster to attendees.

Do you have advice regarding how to make and present a poster?

Please see the Poster Presentations chapter from the open access book Principles of Scientific Communication for advice on how to communicate your scientific research in the format of a poster presentation, as well as guidance on designing your poster, including examples.

When will the Award Winners be announced?

The presenter with the highest ranking from each category will be announced during the Awards Presentation during Research & Scholarship Day. Award categories include:

· Undergraduate Non-Clincal

· Undergraduate Clinical/Education

· Graduate Non-Clinical

· Graduate Clinical/Education

· Resident

· Postdoctoral Fellow

What time will the Poster Session be held?

To Be Determined.

Please have your poster displayed throughout the day to give time for all who would like to view the posters. You are only required to stand by your poster during your assigned poster session.

How do I display my poster on Research & Scholarship Day?

A poster board will be rented for you; each poster board will be shared with another learner (i.e., two posters per side). Fabric-covered poster board along with Velcro dots for mounting your poster will be made available to you at Research Day. Once available, your poster board number will be emailed to you prior to Research Day. Also be sure to check the website for updates including the Poster Index where all poster submissions will be listed along with poster board numbers.

What if I registered for Research & Scholarship Day but I’m unable to attend?

Given the increased cost associated with renting poster boards, if you are unable to display your poster on Research & Scholarship Day, please make arrangements to have someone else display your poster; otherwise, you may be charged for the rental of the poster board. Registration fees are non-refundable.

What are the poster size requirements?

Posters must be a maximum of 3.75’ high x 3.5’ wide in size. Please refer to the diagram.

Note that these dimensions are not typical poster size because you are sharing a

poster board with another student.

Who should I contact if I have any questions about Research Day?

Please contact Leslie Dema (demal@mcmaster.ca