Call for Abstracts

Abstract submissions have now closed.

Share your experience and your work with a presentation at TEMC 2017 – Eureka: Revolutionary Ideas

“All ideas start somewhere…a scribble on paper, a light-bulb moment in the bath, a spark from a conversation. That singular Eureka moment may fade into view over a long period of incubation.  A moment of clarity in the struggle to explore a problem. Many emerge from the confluence of half-ideas – thoughts and hunches which then find a connection, create ideas and transform futures”.

This year, TEMC explores the question of how we, in the higher education sector, can create open and innovative systems which expand our professional practice. We are delighted to invite all potential presenters to tell us about their revolutionary idea for a session at TEMC – what are the big questions you are exploring? How are your ideas influencing the sector’s future direction? What half-ideas are you seeking a connection for?

“Today’s problems cannot be solved if we still think the way we thought when we created them.” Albert Einstein

A key focus will be on creating atmosphere and interactivity where conference delegates can experience and engage through different means. Spaces will be created to allow for the creative exchange of ideas in response to challenges and opportunities in the sector.

Information regarding themes available can be viewed here.

“Every revolutionary idea seems to evoke three stages of reaction. They may be summed up by the phrases 1 – It’s completely impossible. 2 – It’s possible, but it’s not worth doing. 3 – I said it was a good idea all along.”  Arthur C. Clarke

Opportunities for presenting

This year’s refreshed conference format provides a range of opportunities to present your ideas and learning. As a conference representing a sector intimately involved in learning, the TEMC Organising Committee seeks to support innovation in the delivery of ideas. We encourage you to think of the best way of engaging with your audience, sharing your experience and generating exploration and learning.

In curating the program, the TEMC Program Committee will seek to build a program of linked discussions through the sessions. Abstract authors may be asked to re frame or further develop their exploration; or explore a collaborative presentation with an author who has submitted a similarly themed abstract.

• HEd talks
  • Higher Ed talks (HEd) talks are a 15 minute spoken presentation (including question and answer time)
  • Mirroring HEd talks, these presentations are devoted to the spreading of ideas in the form of a short, powerful presentation
  • HEd talks are intended to be highly interactive with participants and stimulate discussion
  • Whilst the TEMC Program Committee will seek to group HEd talks by sub-themes, we also welcome suggested groupings from colleagues exploring an idea from different perspectives

• Workshops
  • A 45 or 90 minute session where workshops presenters will provide participants with the opportunity to develop and learn new skills or where there is a maximum opportunity for dialogue and debate with a small audience
  • Workshops may included presentation combined with activities, interactive group or individual work

• Concurrent Sessions
  • Concurrent sessions provide an opportunity to explore a topic in depth as sessions are 45 minutes long. This timing should include allowance for interaction with the participants through either question and answer or group discussion.
  • We would encourage those electing to use a concurrent session to explore the best way of engaging with your audience. This may involve use of one of TEMC’s interactive learning spaces
  • Preference for concurrent sessions will be given to abstracts which are submitted by groups, particularly by colleagues across institutions or organisational divisions

• Panel Discussion
  • Panel sessions are also 45 minutes in length and may include three to four speakers or more, each of whom talks for a short period of time on a shared theme
  • Panels will nominate a facilitator who will build on the individual presentations and work with the panel to dissect their viewpoints and leads a broader conversation with the audience

• Digital Posters
  • Capture attention with a short, video presentation which will be played on screens throughout the venue over the course of the conference, including in rooms between concurrent presentations and workshops
  • No more than three minutes, digital posters are designed to showcase an innovation, idea or project
  • The format can be a simple presentation or animation but should preferably be more than a PowerPoint presentation
  • All video presentations submitted, while having sound, will need to be captioned to ensure maximum audience exposure
  • Expect that, if selected, your video will play several times over the course of the conference across the venue
  • There will be a prize for best e-display

• Hot Spot
  • New to TEMC, Hot Spots are an exciting way to make connections and explore an idea or question outside of the formal program
  • Book a Hot Spot space during one of the meal breaks and pose a question which you would like to explore with delegates in an informal and relaxed space
  • You pose the question, we provide the space and will publish the question in our program – let’s see who wants to explore this topic with you…

• Other
  • The Conference Organising Committee is keen to consider formats outside of those listed above. Please contact the committee to discuss your idea before the call for abstracts closes
  • Should you want to engage with the audience in a way not shown below please let us know what you are proposing

Successful abstracts will…

• Be no more than 400 words, not including presenter details
• Be interesting, topical and challenging…(please note; that any abstracts which send the review panel to sleep will not make the grade)
• Clearly state the aims of the presentation and how this relates to the sub-theme, or themes, being addressed
• Answers listed questions relating to
  1. learning outcomes for those attending
  2. type of presentation proposed; HEd talk, concurrent session, workshop, etc
  3. preferred learning environment for your presentation – collaborative space, lecture, workshop or other format
• A personal biography for up to three presenters (a maximum of 50 words per person). This is to include the affiliation of each presenter, including ATEM, TEFMA, University, College, Government Department or Commercial employer
• Be submitted by the closing date.

In addition, we encourage potential presenters to submit a short video to showcase your innovation in thinking about a presentation. Digital files should be no more than one minute in length.

Tips for writing an abstract and presenting

We recommend you read the ‘The art of the abstract’ before submitting your abstract for a few tips.

It may be an advantage to you to watch a few Ted Talks before public speaking – https://www.ted.com/playlists/226/before_public_speaking

Abstracts close Monday 1 May.