Abstract submission guidelines

The regular symposia will have a Chair who will provide a short introduction/background on a specific topic followed by 2-7 presenters, followed by a discussion actively involving the audience, often led by a discussant or a moderator. The chair can act as discussant or moderator, if the chair is not one of the presenters. At least 15 minutes for discussion should be provided. The timings of each presentation should be adjusted based on the number of presentations proposed (e.g., two 20-minute presentations, seven “flash” 5-minute presentations, etc.).

Criteria for submission

• Coming from at least 2 different institutions/organisations and from at least 2 different countries
• Including 2-7 presentations that are thematically linked
• Abstracts must include a clear statement on how interaction with the audience will be stimulated, and on the timings of session introduction by the chair, presentations, discussant reflections (if applicable), and open discussion with the audience, including details on who will facilitate the discussion (may be the chair or an additional moderator).

The structure should be as follows:

Title: The title should represent the overall topic of the symposium (max 15 words)

Purpose: State the primary purpose of this symposium.

Description: Include an overall symposium description, including details on each presentation and timings. If discussants are included, a description of their contribution and timings for this component should also be included. The description should clearly indicate how audience interaction will be stimulated.

*note: the purpose and description sections should collectively be no more than 500 words, and should include both a broad description of the topic of the symposium, as well as an overview of each individual presentation included as part of the symposium.

Chair (Name and Affiliation):

Presenter 1 (Name and Affiliation):

Presenter 2 (Name and Affiliation):

Presenter 3 (Name and Affiliation):

Presenter 4 (Name and Affiliation):

Presenter 5 (Name and Affiliation):

Presenter 6 (Name and Affiliation):

Presenter 7 (Name and Affiliation):

Discussant/moderator (Name and Affiliation):

These sessions are intended to promote open, critical scientific dialogue about emerging or controversial topics in physical activity research, practice and policy. This symposia modality opens the floor for a debate between 2 individuals or between 2 teams having different visions or ways of understanding or approaching a particular topic, before opening for questions and answers and interaction with the audience.

Criteria for submission

• Speakers should come from at least 2 different organisations from at least 2 different countries.
• Abstracts must include a clear statement on how interaction with the audience will be stimulated.

The debate symposia must include a Chair or Moderator who will provide an introduction on a specific new or controversial topic in physical activity and public health research, practice and/or policy (5 minutes). This will be followed by affirmative and opposing presenters (1-3 for each side – with balanced sides, i.e., same number of team members, being mandatory), who will provide arguments “for” and “against” the debate topic area (maximum 10 minutes total per side). Each side should present their initial stance, followed by a rebuttal (up to 7 minutes maximum per side). This will be followed by an open discussion with the audience (15-20 minutes). It is optional to build in time for an additional presenter, or for the session Chair/Moderator, to present an alternative viewpoint beyond the two main approaches/positions represented by the two debate teams. If an alternative viewpoint presentation will be included, it should be of no more than 5 minutes in duration, and debate sections must have an adjusted timeline to accommodate for this.

Title: The title should represent the topic area and its controversial nature.

Purpose: A statement of the purpose of the debate, emphasizing what is innovative about the topic (including a brief description of the topic).

Rationale: Why is this topic worthy of addressing at this conference and why is this a debatable topic?

Debate overview: Provide a short overview of the two views/approaches that will be presented during the debate (affirmative and opposing), with a brief description of some of the main divergent positions/viewpoints/approaches, and if possible, with data or evidence supporting and/or contradicting each of the two main positions/viewpoints/approaches for the given topic of focus. It is optional to additionally include an alternate view outside of the two mainstream viewpoints.

*note that the purpose, rationale, and debate overview sections should be no more than 500 words.

Chair (Name and Affiliation): Introduction to Debate

Affirmative Presenter(s) [Name(s) and Affiliation(s)]:

Opposing Presentation(s) [Name(s) and Affiliation(s)]:

Alternate view Presentation [optional] [Name(s) and Affiliation(s)]:

Expected Outcomes or Reflections: Identify the key anticipated outcomes or take-away reflections from the debate.

Interview symposia sessions will open the floor for an interview with 2-5 individuals on a particular topic, before opening for questions and answers and interaction with the audience. This type of symposia session follows a “talk show” model, with an engaging conversational style (i.e., non-technical) and without the use of slides or traditional presentation materials.

Criteria for submission

• Speakers, which must include one to three interviewers (chairs/moderators) and a minimum of two interviewees, who should come from at least 2 different institutions/organisations, and from at least 2 different countries.
• Abstracts must include a clear statement on how interaction with the audience will be stimulated.

The interview symposia will have Chairs or Moderators who will provide an introduction (approximately 5 minutes). This will be followed by an interview style conversation with at least two or multiple experts. The Chairs or Moderators will ask questions to the interviewees, which will typically have between 2 and 5 minutes to respond to each question before moving on to the next question. It is encouraged to allow interviewees to build on and organically respond to other speakers’ responses during the session, while adhering to the session’s predefined timing. This will be followed by an open discussion with audience members, facilitated by the Chairs or Moderators.

Title: The title should represent the topic area.

Purpose: A statement of the purpose of the interview, emphasizing what is innovative about the topic (including a brief description of the topic).

Rationale: Why is this topic worthy of addressing at this conference and why is it best suited for an interview format symposium?

Brief description: Why are the interviewers and interviewees best suited to have an open conversation about this topic at the ISPAH Congress? In particular, how does the training background and/or experiences of the interviewer(s) make them highly suited to facilitate a highly engaging session for a global audience?  And, what unique perspectives or approaches do each of the interviewees bring to the table that will help make the session highly engaging? Provide details on the main themes the interview will cover, and on the sections of the interview and their proposed timings. Also provide a statement on how the audience will be engaged for open discussion following the interview.

Conclusions, Reflections or Outcomes: Identify the key anticipated conclusions, reflections or outcomes from this innovative interview.

*note that the purpose, rationale, brief description and conclusions, reflections or outcomes sections collectively should be no more than 500 words.

Chair/Moderators (Name and Affiliation): Interviewers

Speaker(s) (Name(s) and Affiliation(s)): Interviewees