We are delighted to invite colleagues to submit abstracts for the BPS Coaching Division’s Conference which takes place on 8th – 9th June 2023. The Theme of the Conference is: Integrating Research and Practice, and will take place in London. There are [4] different formats that you can submit to:  Individual Paper, Symposium, Round Table and Post Presentations. You will find details to each of these formats below. The deadline for your abstract submission is the 10th February 2023. Please click on the link above to submit your abstract. We look forward to inviting you to the event. 

Submission Guidelines

1. Timelines
2. Theme for the Conference
3. Structure for all Submissions
4. Presentation Methods
5. Refereeing Procedure
6. Further Information

Log into the new submission system. You will need to create an account if this is the first time you are submitting.

1. Timelines

January 2023 - Submission System Opens

31 March 2023 – The deadline for Submissions

W/C 24 April  2023 – Notification of Submission Outcomes

2. Theme for the Conference

The theme of the conference is: Integrating Research and Practice. The conference is an opportunity to network, share best practice, and new research. You can find out more about the different formats and opportunities to showcase your work in the sections below.

3. Structure for all Submissions

All submission abstracts should:

• Be up to 250 words in length, exclusive of the title.
• Include references.
• Be written in either the past or present tense unless the data has yet to be collected as might be the case for a poster, in which case the future tense might be more applicable.
• Not include a statement of the affiliations or names of the author(s).
• Abstracts of accepted papers will be published online for the benefit of attendees at the conference and will be available to download from the conference website.

4. Presentation Methods

Individual Paper

20 minute presentation and a 10 minute discussion focusing on the presentation.

Round Table Discussion

Conference session, activity or fringe event not covered above.  This could be a round table, panel discussion, debate etc. lasting up to 60 minutes.

Poster Presentation

All posters must be available for the face-to-face conference and the presenters must be available to answer questions during the allocated poster session.

Guidance:

Individual Paper:

Purpose: State the aim or primary objectives of the paper

Background: Provide a concise summary of information, which places the presentation in context

Methods/ Provide details of the procedures adopted and their rationale (e.g., literature search,

Key Points: inclusion/exclusion criteria and methods of analysis) and/or key arguments and theoretical positions.

Conclusions: State the conclusions that can be drawn from the work described, including theoretical, methodological or applied/policy implications as appropriate and any key limitations of the study.

Round Table:

Roundtable discussion: Session on a focal scientific or practical topic focusing on Coaching and Research informed practice, hosted by one or two experts, aimed at discussing latest developments in an area, providing a platform for networking and/or helping audience members with currently experienced problems. By arranging seats in a circle, active audience participation is encouraged. The submission must include the topic to be discussed alongside a justification of its suitability for a roundtable discussion; information on one or two experts that could serve as host(s) should also be provided. Although the host(s) may wish to make a short presentation to begin the session, the majority of time should be devoted to raising questions and opening up discussion.

The length of a discussion is up to 60 minutes. Abstracts can use the following headings:

Background/Aims Provide a concise summary of information, which places the session in context, this includes the aims of the workshop and the expected outcomes for participants

Key elements: Provide details of key arguments or the skills and activities covered

Conclusions:  State the conclusions that can be drawn from the work described, including theoretical, methodological, or applied/policy implications as appropriate.

Poster Presentation

Poster submissions are an opportunity to present completed work and work in progress. Poster sessions will be scheduled when presenters and delegates can discuss the work and findings. The posters will be on display for the duration of the conference. The individual/individuals presenting the poster must be in attendance during the dedicated poster session slots.

Objectives: State the primary objective of the paper and the major hypothesis tested, or research question posed.

Design: Describe the design of the study and the rationale for the procedures adopted.

Methods: Describe how participants were selected and number of participants (if documentary data used, state how these were selected), materials employed (if appropriate), methods of data collection and analysis.

Results: Include numerical and/or textual data.  For qualitative analyses briefly describe your findings (e.g., themes, categories, discourses identified).

Conclusions: State the conclusions that can be drawn from the study, including theoretical, methodological, or applied/policy implications as appropriate and any key limitations of the study.

Unlike oral presentations, data does not have to be included. For research-based posters, ethical clearance must have been given and be stated on the poster, and data collection must have started for the poster to be meaningful.

5. Refereeing Procedure

All abstracts will be reviewed anonymously by two reviewers, and the following success criteria will be considered:

1. Is the work related to the conference theme?
2. Does the submission indicate clear research questions/ focus of enquiry /research findings?
3. Does the submission provide a clear overview of research approach?
4. Is the submission referenced to or framed by contemporary current issues and debates?
5. How does the work seek to make a novel or original contribution or provocation to the wider community?

6. Further Information

Registration

All presenters are expected to register and pay at the appropriate rate. 

Press Office

If successful, your submission may be considered suitable for a press release, timed to coincide with the conference.  If this is so, a Press Officer will contact you to ask whether you wish your submission to be press released, and to discuss the content of the press release with you.  To write an accurate press release, and to provide more information for journalists attending the conference, you may be asked for additional information regarding your submission. Please note all presentations and posters are under a media embargo until the day of presentation. 

Audio visual requirements

A data projector and laptop will be available in all session rooms. If you are likely to require additional equipment, please indicate this when submitting your abstract. 

Code of Conduct

Authors of all material submitted must confirm adherence to the British Psychological Society’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.  Particular attention should be made to the section on Integrity and the importance of sub-sections 4.1iii and 4.1vi. Copies of the Code may be obtained from the Society’s website:  http://beta.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/bps-code-ethics-and-conduct 

The use of non-sexist language

Submissions must not contain sexist language. The following suggestions are made about ways to avoid sexist language:

1. Avoid using sex-specific forms generically. For example, use plurals they/their rather than he/she or his/her.
2. Delete pronouns – e.g., the participant completed his/her task becomes the participant completed the task.
3. Avoid specifying the sex of the referent unless it is relevant – e.g., use counsellor, client or participant.
4. Avoid making sex-stereotyped assumptions about people, their abilities, attitudes and relationships. 

Guidelines for Psychologists Working with Animals

When submitting material, please note the guidelines for psychologists working with animals. Copies of these guidelines can be obtained online:  http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/policy-and-guidelines/research-guidelines-policy-documents/research-guidelines-poli

Contact

Email: bpssubmissions@redactive.co.uk
Website: www.bps.org.uk/events