WorldCUR-BCUR 2023 Delegate Processes

Abstract Submission

Delegates were invited to attend WorldCUR-BCUR 2023 through an abstract submission process.

WorldCUR-BCUR 2023 accepted submissions from research-active undergraduate students from anywhere in the world, up to six months after graduation.

Applicants were requested to submit a 250-word abstract for a research project that they were active in. WorldCUR-BCUR 2023 welcomed participation from independent projects and group projects - including research projects led by academic staff. These included extra-curricular projects and coursework research projects. Abstract submissions from ongoing projects were welcomed, provided that the research would have been completed in good time for presentation at WorldCUR-BCUR 2023.

The call for abstracts opened in July 2022.

WorldCUR & BCUR route

BCUR only route

BCUR only pathway was opened after the WorldCUR-BCUR abstract deadline and abstracts were subject to the standard BCUR review process.

The WorldCUR-BCUR Team at the University of Warwick's Institute of Advanced Teaching and Learning (IATL) provided substantial support to assist with abstract writing.

Webpages with instructional materials on abstract writing and the submission system.
Downloadable abstract writing resource.
Abstract Writing instructional video by Student Directors
Online Abstract Writing Workshops
Illustrative abstract examples

All resources referred to the IATL Abstract Writing Method. This methodology has been developed by the University of Warwick's IATL team to help the successful communication of ideas and is employed in the University of Warwick's annual International Conference of Undergraduate Research (ICUR).

The IATL method is a fitting model for international and interdisciplinary contexts as the method facilitates the writing of an abstract that is accessible to those from outside disciplines and allows those who are not subject specialists to engage with the work: from potential funding panels, to employers, to the general public.

Abstracts constructed under this method encourages clear language, avoids subject specific jargon, and emphasise the context of the project to allow the full impact of the research to be understood by those outside of the subject area and also encourages delegates to attend the presentation at the conference itself.

IATL Abstract Method

FIRST, consider four key questions about the research project: The WHY? The WHAT? The SO WHAT? The NOW WHAT?

THEN, create the final abstract by compiling the responses to the key questions, considering the following through the editing process.

Is anything missing that was integral to the project? Perhaps there’s an aspect of the research that didn’t fit neatly into the four answers. Now add any important elements that were missed.
Has the combination of the four responses produced some repetition? If so, streamline the abstract and remove any extraneous material.
Are some transitional phrases needed between the answers to the questions? Think about how to guide the reader through the abstract and the research process. Abstracts should inform but they can also be enjoyable for the audience to read. Add transitional words, phrases, or sentences to clearly connect the different aspects of your project.
How accessible is the abstract to an interdisciplinary audience? Subject-specific language is used in all disciplines, however, at an interdisciplinary conference, it’s important that the work is accessible to all. Reduce the use of jargon where possible and seek advice outside the field to check the abstract for intelligibility.
Don’t forget about the title! Titles are important. At the conference, a great title will attract audience members to the presentation and increase their engagement with the research. And, beyond the conference, a good title enhances the discoverability of the research online, increasing the chances of being cited by other scholars. Make sure the title reflects the project accurately and includes key words that can help others discover the research.

The WHY?

The WHY: Why are you researching this topic?

This question asks you to think about why you are researching a specific topic and what makes it important. Consider what type of contextual information would be needed for an undergraduate in a different discipline to understand your study. This may require you to locate it within a particular research field and outline what is known in the academic literature about the issue to date. If there is a research problem or a gap in knowledge or literature that has motivated your work, you should describe it here. You should think deeply about what your specific research question is and outline it. In other words, use this introductory section to provide your reader with the context of your research, where it fits within the existing academic literature, and identify the question your research is addressing. Put simply, provide a rationale for why your project is worthwhile.

We suggest you answer this question in approximately 75 words.

The WHAT?

The WHAT: How did you research this topic, and what did you discover?

Your answer to this question describes the research that you’ve undertaken. What did you do and how did you do it? If you were one member of a larger research group, what was your contribution to the project? Did you employ a particular methodology or analyse data using a theoretical framework of some kind? Make sure that the reader understands what specific materials you’ve examined during the course of your research (for example, literature, pre-existing survey data, scientific specimens). Here, you can also outline any research tools used in your study (for example, software, equipment, analysis techniques). Importantly, your answer to this question also reports the results of your research. Describe the research findings you discovered in undertaking your research project and what you will discuss at the conference (you want to ‘hook’ the audience in, without giving everything away). Were you able to answer your research questions, and did you discover any incidental, but important, findings?

In other words, use this section to tell the reader what you did, how you did it and what you discovered.

We suggest you answer this question in approximately 75 words.

The SO WHAT?

The SO WHAT: What do your findings mean, and why do they matter?

You’ve reported the results of your research study in answer to the previous question. Now you need to tell the reader what these findings mean and why they matter. How do they make a significant contribution to knowledge in your field? How might they impact wider society? It’s here that you can provide answers to your research questions, if you have used them.

In other words, use this section to communicate your overall argument and why this research is significant to the reader. This is the ‘aha!’ moment, when the reader comes to understand the true value of your research.

We suggest you answer this question in approximately 50 words.

The NOW WHAT?

The NOW WHAT: What comes next?

Finally, think about the future implications and relevance of your research. What comes next? Have your discoveries opened new lines of research enquiry? How might others—in or outside your discipline—respond to your research and progress it? Are you planning on developing further studies in this area, or translating it into practice in some way? Is there a group of people who could benefit from your research? Mention your plans: are you considering founding a startup, or will you communicate your findings to practitioners in your field, for example?

In other words, use this concluding section to share the potential future applications of your research with the reader. Leave them in no doubt of the relevance of your project.

We suggest you answer this question in approximately 50 words.

Themes

During WorldCUR-BCUR 2023, research was presented in thematic sessions - Sustainability, Health, Power, the Future, Data, Create, Community - to encourage interdisciplinary conversations and facilitate professional networking and project development.

Sustainability, Power, Health, Data, the Future, Create, Community

All themes were open to research from all disciplines, and all themes were encouraged to be interpreted broadly.

Broad descriptions of the themes, including illustrative topics, were provided. These were not exhaustive examples and innovative approaches were welcomed.

Forms of Presentation

WorldCUR-BCUR 2023 celebrated diversity in forms of presentation and encouraged all researchers to find the form which best conveyed their message.

Alternative forms of presentation were supported to enhance inclusivity and reduce barriers to communication.

The Poster Exhibition hosted both traditional posters and exhibition formats and dedicated Create panel sessions allowed performance formats to communicate with live audiences.

The WorldCUR-BCUR delegates delighted audiences with a broad range of alternative presentation forms, including; poetry reading, short story, 3D interactive poster, braille tablets, animation.

Virtual Reality demonstration to convey research in hospitality

3D printed models to describe engineering project

Tabletop game to embody dyslexia friendly teaching

Jewellery making to demonstrate cultural significance and use of hair

Abstract Review

The WorldCUR-BCUR Abstract Review Panel was a collaboration between students and staff.

A diverse review panel was sought, including staff and students from across the world and across disciplines, and all parties interested in WorldCUR-BCUR were encouraged to join the Abstract Review Panel, including all applicants.

All abstract review panellists were given training in the IATL's abstract method, the assessment rubric, and the online review platform. Training was available in both asynchronous materials and online training workshops.

All abstracts were reviewed by at least one student and at least one staff member, in addition, they were reviewed by at least one broad subject specialist and at least one non-broad subject specialist.

WorldCUR-BCUR 2023 used a two-stage assessment process to determine who was invited to present at each conference. Submissions were considered by both quality of abstract & widening participation criteria.

Widening Participation Criterion

WorldCUR-BCUR was committed to widening participation to ensure the widest diversity as possible in order to provide exciting and thought-provoking conference experiences.

The Review Panel considered:

Diversity of Voice - Applicant studies in an underrepresented country or geographical area. Or, Research area is an underrepresented discipline aligned to the particular WorldCUR-BCUR 2023 Theme.

Diversity of Idea - Research presents a unique or original perspective. Or, Research is from an underrepresented area, discipline, or WorldCUR-BCUR 2023 Theme.

Diversity of Form of Presentation - Research is presented in a creative, innovative, or original format. Or, Mode of presentation is underrepresented form. opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window

Abstract Assessment Rubric

The Review Panel assessed abstracts on how successfully they communicated responses to the questions: Why? What? So What? Now What? In addition, they assess the presentation of the abstract to ensure that it was clear, concise, and accessible to an interdisciplinary and international audience.

Each of these key criteria was evaluated and determined as Excellent - Strong - Satisfactory - Weak - Needs Improvement.

Style & Presentation

Style and Presentation

– The abstract should be well-written and well-presented, in English, and with sufficient attention paid to grammar and punctuation.

– It should not exceed 250 words.

– The title should accurately reflect the project and contain key words.

– The abstract must be accessible to an interdisciplinary and international audience, with minimal use of subject-specific jargon and careful choice of vocabulary.

WHY

The introduction to the abstract provides a clear rationale for why this project has been undertaken and why it matters. It might contain:

– Context: Provides context for the research, citing appropriate academic literature and locating the research within a particular field.

– Rationale: Identifies a research problem or gap in knowledge or literature.

– Research Question/s: Outlines one or more research questions.

WHAT

This section of the abstract clearly explains what research has been done, how it was done, and what was discovered. It might contain:

– Methodology: Describes a suitable theoretical framework for the research.

– Methods: Describes data or materials evaluated, and explains the method of analysis, including any required tools.

– Findings: Outlines the findings, or results, of the research.

SO WHAT

This part of the abstract considers the question So What? What do the findings mean, and why do they matter? It might contain:

– Statement of Significance: Describes a (potential) contribution to a particular field or society at large.

– Research Questions: Relates findings to the key research question/s.

NOW WHAT

The concluding section of the abstract considers the question Now What? It might contain:

– Future Implications: Restates the relevance of the research, suggests new lines of research enquiry, and/or proposes novel applications of the research findings.

– Possible Translations: States potential next steps in regard to translating the research into practice (for example, informing practitioners or a startup venture).

Delegate Registration

All delegates were requested to register individually for the specific conference they were invited to present at, WorldCUR or BCUR.

Delegates registered online using the WorldCUR-BCUR 2023 online conference platform and were invoiced to make credit/debit card payment. Registered delegates were invited to book on-campus accommodation via Conference Services or to seek alternative accommodations.

Conference Fee

3 day event only

Student - £150
Staff - £200

Conference Fee

Student Single Day - £65
Student Full (2 days) - £100
Staff Single Day - £80
Staff Full (2 days) - £130

Conference fee was inclusive of morning snack, a cold buffet lunch, and afternoon snack.

Personal Assistant for disabled delegates conference fee was free.

Delegate Support

The WorldCUR-BCUR webpages were home to extensive delegate support materials.

Delegate support was available both for delegates as presenters, and as conference attendees.

The webpages had extensive resources to plan routes to the University of Warwick campus via all forms of transport. In addition, the webpages gave delegates access to on-campus way-finding materials, including the campus interactive map and virtual tour of WorldCUR-BCUR locations. Delegates were encouraged to view the online conference platform prior to attending the conference, to bookmark specific sessions of interest, and to access the networking features of this platform. The online platform had the full conference schedule including abstracts for all presentations. Delegates were also advised to view the social activities programme of events available to WorldCUR-BCUR delegates, the University of Warwick campus's general social and activities offerings, and suggested activities and interests in the local area.

Delegates were able to access presentation guidance containing both information generic to interdisciplinary presentations and specific logistics for WorldCUR & BCUR.

Delegates were also offered online workshops to support their presentation skills, to support their wellbeing during the conference, and assist their understanding of what is expected of them as a delegate member beyond their personal presentation. Workshops were offered to all registered student delegates.

Spoken Presentation 101 Training

This workshop was delivered by a University of Warwick IATL staff member and was specific to delegates who were delivering their research presentation in a spoken panel.

The session covered:

The form of spoken/performance panels session, the length of individual presentation time, the number of presenters in panels, logistics for the panel Q&A, and the role of the session chair.
The layout of the presentation rooms and the technologies available to them use during their presentation and how to access them.
3 Cs - Clarity, Compassion, Chill - to provide effective communication for the international and interdisciplinary audience of spoken/performance panel sessions.

Poster Presentation 101 Training

This workshop was delivered by a University of Warwick IATL staff member and was specific to delegates who were delivering their research presentation in a spoken panel.

The session covered:

The form of the Poster Exhibition, the joint WorldCUR-BCUR sessions, posters and exhibitions were available to view throughout the conference, and delegates need to present their research and interact with conference delegates during their allotted presentation session.
Recommend Warwick Print or to use own printing services to deliver IATL pre-conference.
4 Ps - Presentation, Preparation, Persuades, People - to provide effective communication for the international and interdisciplinary audience of the Poster Exhibition sessions.

Confidence Building Masterclass

This workshop was delivered by a University of Warwick Wellbeing Support Adviser to assist all delegates to manage their stress and anxiety during the conference.

The session covered:

stress management techniques
gaining confidence through preparation and understanding of expectations
- as a presenter
- and as a conference attendee

How to be a Good Audience Member

This workshop was delivered by a University of Warwick Student Opportunities staff member to assist delegates to understand what is expected of them as conference attendees.

The session covered:

how to behave to get the most out of the conference experience
exploring different cultural perspectives
effective communication between different research cultures and international cultures