NEWS

All abstracts must be written in complete sentences, not dot-pointed or in table format.   

Oral paper: 20 minutes long, oral papers provide authors the opportunity to present original work related to conference topics.

Workshop: 30–40 minutes long, workshops provide authors the opportunity to present their work in a highly interactive manner that maximises audience participation. Workshops should have at least 25% of the total time allocated to questions and answers, or to group interaction. Workshops should facilitate and engage discussion with the participants.

Lightning round: 10 minutes long, lightning round presentations provide authors the opportunity to share their work in brief oral presentations. Each presentation is limited to ten minutes, with five minutes allocated for questions and answers.

Symposium: Symposium presentations provide an opportunity to present on one topic, from multiple standpoints. Symposia presentations comprise three related presentations and an opportunity for questions and discussion. Presentations should be 40 minutes in total for your prepared content and 20 minutes for questions and discussion.

Poster presentation: Poster presentations are an opportunity for you to present your work, yet the output is graphical/textual, not oral. It is not a poster to advertise or market your service, but to demonstrates the nature of your work, much like a conference presentation. The final poster will mostly rely on diagrams, charts and images rather than text. The maximum poster size is 850mm x 1100m and font used should be size 18 or larger. 

Abstracts will be scored on the following points:

1. innovation and originality,
2. whether the project, research or policy has a practical application, and
3. whether the abstract submitted clearly explains the outcomes of the project, research or policy and its implications for the sector.

NADA believes that language has the power to stigmatise and empower. The following resources provide best-practice guidelines on how to use language to reinforce person-centred approaches and avoid perpetuating harm.

Language matters Download this [PDF]
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Terminology) Download this [PDF]
ACON Trans and gender diverse-affirming language guide Download this [PDF]
PWDA Language Guide: A guide to language about disability Download this [PDF]

What is an abstract?

An abstract is a short paragraph that provides the reader with a summary of your presentation. It is what the selection committee will use to determine whether you will be chosen to present at the conference —think of it as an elevator pitch.

What should be included in an abstract?

An abstract should cover the following points concisely:

• • The primary aim of this project or research and why it was undertaken (one or two sentences, about 50 words). What problem were you attempting to solve?
• • The methods used in the research or the steps that were taken as part of the process, as well as the scope of the project (one or two sentences, about 50 words).
• • Results and key lessons learned. (About 75 words)
• • Implications —why do/should these results matter to the sector? (About 75 words)

Do’s and don’ts

Avoid: Providing a statement of what your presentation will explore without telling the audience what you found out (e.g., This report will examine the causes of higher levels of alcohol use).
Instead: State the conclusions of the study or project (e.g., This study found that higher levels of alcohol use are caused by the following factors.).

Avoid: Giving a general overview of the program you provide or your service.
Instead: Specifically address a lesson you have learned through service delivery or a particular best-practice example from within your program. Think about what you would want the audience to take away and how your submission is relevant to the conference theme.

Avoid: Speaking in generalities (e.g., This project found that there are ways to increase retention in mental health programs).
Instead: Use specific details (e.g., This project found that person-centred and trauma-informed care increased retention in mental health programs).

Avoid: Reference to past studies or potential future findings that are not covered in your abstract and presentation (e.g., As previous research has shown, vaping is on the rise in residential services).
Instead: Ensure that your abstract makes sense to the reader on its own, rather than relying on references to external sources. If you must refer to future research, specify clearly what you will do and when.

Avoid: Lengthy background or contextual information.
Instead: A short sentence outlining the problem you hoped to solve, or the context of your research, is sufficient.

Avoid: Redundant phrases, unnecessary adjectives and repeated information. (e.g., Experience of leading and managing programs and projects in the sector has been extensive and lengthy).
Instead: Keep sentences short and avoid using overly descriptive language.

Avoid: Using highly niche language or specific jargon, especially without explaining it first. (e.g., adults with FASD are much more likely to experience AUD)
Instead: If you must use jargon, explain it the first time it is used. (E.g., Adults with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) are much more likely to experience alcohol use disorder (AUD)).

Top tips

• • Make sure each sentence is unique and contributes to the logical flow of your abstract.
• • Keep it simple and specific.
• • Edit with a clear head—edit separately for content and flow, and for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
• • Place your topic in its context and identify its relevance clearly.
• • Think about ways your presentation can provide new insight.
• • Ask a friend or colleague to read over your draft—fresh eyes always help.

We strongly encourage all submissions to consider ethical approaches to research and evaluation and refer you to consider the CMHDARN Research Ethics Matter Guidelines.

1. Conflict of interest
Any conflicts of interest due to funding or relationships with publications/professional bodies must be disclosed.

2. Academic integrity
Abstracts must be original work, though an abstract can still be submitted if your work has been or will be published in a scientific journal. If the work has already been published, this must be disclosed.

3. Permission for publication
Submitting an abstract indicates permission for the abstract to be published on the conference website and in the conference handbook.