The Submitting an Abstract to HERDSA 2025 workshop was a highly engaging and well-attended event, drawing over 50 participants eager to refine their abstract submissions for the upcoming conference. Facilitated by HERDSA branches and Special Interest Groups (SIGs), the session provided a comprehensive overview of abstract submission guidelines, formatting requirements, and best practices to enhance the likelihood of acceptance. 

Workshop Highlights:

• Understanding the Submission Process – Participants were guided through the HERDSA 2025 abstract submission portal, with key deadlines and formatting requirements emphasized. The importance of aligning abstracts with one of the conference’s broad themes—such as governance, learning and teaching, partnerships, and academic practice—was highlighted.
• Choosing the Right Presentation Format – The session clarified the differences between showcase presentations, poster presentations, and roundtable discussions, helping attendees select the most appropriate format for their research or practice.
• Key Criteria for Strong Abstracts – Presenters outlined the review criteria, including clarity, relevance, engagement, and contribution to scholarship. Participants gained insights from past successful abstracts, with 2024 presenters sharing their submission experiences and reviewer feedback.
• Practical Writing Tips – Attendees were encouraged to craft abstracts that clearly communicate their research purpose, engage their audience, and demonstrate impact. The importance of a compelling title and avoiding overly narrow focus was also emphasized.
• Interactive Breakout Sessions – A highlight of the workshop was the breakout room discussions, where participants had the opportunity to refine their own abstracts with guidance from experienced facilitators. This was followed by a group discussion, allowing attendees to share insights and receive constructive feedback.

Facilitators and Contributors: The workshop was expertly led by Julia Choate, with valuable contributions from Alice Brown, Manisha Thakkar, Edward Palmer, Pushpa Sinnayah, and Amanda Richardson. Their collective expertise provided attendees with practical strategies to enhance their submissions.

Key Takeaways:

• The abstract title should be engaging and broad enough to attract a wide audience.
• Clarity and engagement are critical, particularly for showcase and roundtable presentations.
• Reviewing past abstracts (such as those from 2024) can provide valuable inspiration. Abstracts should clearly state their contribution and expected audience takeaways.

What’s Next?

The HERDSA 2025 abstract submission process is now closed, and we are thrilled to have received a high volume of quality submissions. Abstracts are currently undergoing a rigorous peer review process, and we appreciate the effort and thoughtfulness put into each submission.

Stay tuned for updates on acceptance announcements! We look forward to showcasing the innovative research, practices, and discussions that will shape HERDSA 2025.

Acknowledgement: NotebookLM and GPT4.0 are used to summarise the meeting transcript and improvise text of this summary..