Research Symposia

Presentation of groups of research papers related by theme in the form a research symposium is encouraged. The symposium forum will be particularly suitable for presentations relating to a single large project or presentations that explore topical themes from different and/or related perspectives. Special Interest Groups [SIGs] are encouraged to consider the symposium option as a means for sharing and discussing current research.

A symposium should consist of no more than four presentations of 15 minutes duration each. The written papers should be half the length of research papers (four pages maximum). Both research report types—empirical or non-empirical—are acceptable as published symposium papers. 

All authors must follow the information provided in the Submission Template and Author Guidelines (and provide a completed Publication Agreement when requested) detailed on the Submission page.

A brief overview of the symposium (limit one page), including a title, the names of presenters, an introduction to the theme/project, and a short introduction to each of the three–four contributions, must be submitted with the set of short papers. See past proceedings for examples of introductory pages.

The symposium proposer will also nominate a person to chair the symposium, and a discussant can also be named if desired. This information should accompany the collection of papers submitted for review by the Early Bird deadline. This date has been set for the benefit of the group of authors of symposia papers. Should the symposium papers require revision, the authors will have the time to make the corrections and resubmit the set of symposium papers to be re-reviewed by the original reviewers.

The set of symposium papers (and the overview) will be blind reviewed by a review panel. The main purpose of the reviews is the same as for published papers, and the same criteria are used. The reviewers will be asked to consider the cohesiveness of the set of symposium papers. They will indicate whether the symposium as a whole, and each paper within it, should be “accepted”, “rejected” or if it “requires revision”. If it is deemed that one, some or all of the papers are in need of revision, the reviewers will outline which papers need to be revised and provide suggestions for the required changes. When the revisions are made, the symposium papers will be re-submitted and the set of papers will be sent to the same review panel for further consideration. As with research papers, the final decision about which symposium papers will be published is at the discretion of the Editorial Team.

Presentation of Symposia

Symposia are presented by author(s) a chair, and a discussant, if these were nominated in the symposium submission. At least 10 minutes must be allocated for audience questions and open discussion.