Call for Proposals

Overview
Proposal Formats
Student Awards
Submission Process
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Information

Overview

The Southeastern Council on Family Relations (SECFR) is pleased to distribute this Call for Proposals for our 2020 Annual Conference to be held in Birmingham, Alabama from April 2-4, 2020. The theme of this year’s conference is "A Vision for Families: Exploring and Solidifying Professional Identity in Family Sciences."

We are seeking high-quality proposals to present at our conference. All conference sessions should be informative and relevant, promote learner engagement, and demonstrate application to the work of participants. In addition, we especially desire proposals that:

  • Have diverse presenters (with varying levels of experience in the field; of different nationalities; or from different institutions and geographic regions).
  • Are based on or supported by research.
  • Contain original, innovative ideas.
  • Stimulate and provoke discussion.
  • Have strong connections to practice and/or policy.

To maintain the highest quality for all presentation sessions and comply with requirements for Continuing Education Units, clear learning objectives must be stated on each proposal. For Academic faculty and community professionals, we ask that at least one of these learning objectives provide students with an opportunity to see how translating research/theory to practice is done in ways that enhance the professional field.

If you have questions regarding content, please email the coordinator of proposals, Dr. James Duncan ().

Proposal Formats

Paper Presentations: Paper presentation involves a focused description of scholarship, practice, and/or policy information in its own dedicated room. Such information can derive from the author(s)’ publishable manuscript, published paper/article based on research or current practice (see FAQ’s below), completed doctoral dissertation, completed master’s thesis, or completed student paper containing fully-developed ideas and concepts of an empirical, conceptual, or practical nature. Paper Presentations last approximately 15 minutes, plus about 5 minutes for questions/discussion. Presentations usually occur in “breakout sessions” where there are 3-4 presenters within a session.

Workshops: Workshops should focus on providing attendees with skill building opportunities and should be interactive in nature. Workshops should function as a training session where attendees are exposed to effective techniques for practice in the professional field. These sessions will be 45-minutes in length and will be led by an expert/s in the field.

Posters: A poster involves the display of detailed information by emphasizing graphics that summarize initiated or completed empirical research, completed student projects, and/or practice, methodologies, or programs that have been or will soon be implemented by practitioners. All materials must be designed to fill a single 4’ high by 8’ wide poster board and will be presented at a session alongside other posters. All posters should refer to scholarly literature. Authors are expected to be at the poster the entire session (either 45 or 60 minutes) to answer questions and distribute handouts.

Panel/Roundtable sessions: A group of presenters may wish to present and discuss a topic with significant time allotted for interaction among the presenters and with the attendees.

The SECFR board reserves the right to suggest alternative formats that may optimize participant experience, available space, and/or available time (for example, if a proposal is submitted as a Poster, the SECFR Board reserves right to accept the proposal as a Paper presentation).

Proposal submissions will be accepted until December 15, 2019. All submissions received by December 15, 2019 will receive full consideration and may be accepted, rejected, or recommended for resubmission (with revisions).

Student Awards

Student Awards Competition: Undergraduate Students and Graduate Students have the opportunity to apply for consideration of special recognition within one of the following categories:

  1. Undergraduate Paper Presentation Competition: All undergrad students are invited to apply for the Undergraduate Paper Presentation Award where they can have their Oral Paper presentation reviewed at the annual SECFR conference. An award will be presented to the top undergraduate paper presentation.
    1. Please note that you must indicate whether or not you want to be considered for this award during the submission of your proposal to the SECFR annual conference.
  2. Graduate Paper Presentation Competition: All graduate students are invited to apply for the Graduate Paper Presentation Award where they can have their Oral Paper presentation reviewed at the annual SECFR conference. An award will be presented to the top graduate paper presentation.
    1. Please note that you must indicate whether or not you want to be considered for this award during the submission of your proposal to the SECFR annual conference.
  3. Undergraduate Poster Presentation Competition: All undergrad students are invited to apply for the Undergraduate Poster Presentation Award where they can have their Oral Poster presentation reviewed at the annual SECFR conference. An award will be presented to the top undergraduate poster presentation.
    1. Please note that you must indicate whether or not you want to be considered for this award during the submission of your proposal to the SECFR annual conference.
  4. Graduate Poster Presentation Competition: All graduate students are invited to apply for the Graduate Poster Presentation Award where they can have their Oral Poster presentation reviewed at the annual SECFR conference. An award will be presented to the top graduate poster presentation.
    1. Please note that you must indicate whether or not you want to be considered for this award during the submission of your proposal to the SECFR annual conference.

Submission Process

A complete submission includes following the link (https://dc.etsu.edu/secfr-conf) to submit your proposal(s) electronically.

  • Complete relevant information for all authors electronically.
    • Name.
    • Affiliation.
    • Co-authors information (if applicable).
    • Appropriate contact information.
    • Student Status.
      • If you are a student, you must indicate if you would like to be considered
        for a student award according to one off the categories listed above in the
        student awards section.
      • If you are applying for an award, list your mentor’s name, title, and institution.
    • Select your proposal focus (i.e., research, theory, practice, etc.)
    • Select your preferred presentation format (i.e., session, poster, or panel).
    • Enter a title.
    • Submit an abstract of up to 150 words.
    • Submit at least three keywords.
    • Submit a single file for uploading with no identifying information.
      • This “blind” document shall include the following:
      • A 500-word (maximum) summary of the presentation.
      • An APA reference list.
      • A list of at least 3 learning objectives associated with your proposal, using the stem "After viewing this presentation, attendees will..." For Academic faculty and community professionals, we ask that at least one of these learning objectives provide students with an opportunity to see how translating research/theory to practice is done in ways that enhance the professional field.
      • Up to 2 supplemental figures and/or tables (optional).
    • If applicable: A second file with no identifying information consisting a full manuscript
      (this only pertains to the Student Writing Award Competition).

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

    I am a student and am not currently involved in any empirical research projects. May I submit a recently completed course paper or project to present at the conference?
    Absolutely! As a regional conference, we strongly encourage student participation in our conference, both as attendees and presenters. Papers completed for a course may be submitted for presentations and completed projects of other sorts may be submitted as posters. Students are also free to propose a panel discussion session, perhaps on a topic with particular relevance to students. Students are also encouraged to submit a paper for the new writing awards (see above).

    I am a practitioner and don’t typically do empirical research. May I submit something related to my work that I feel would benefit the conference attendees?
    The first stated goal of the SECFR is “to provide a NETWORK for collaboration among family professionals” of all kinds, both university- and community-based. We desire for this conference to be a unique amalgamation of academics, practitioners, and students, all joined together with one cause in mind – to help families in the Southeast. Therefore, we welcome submissions from practitioners of a non-empirical nature, whether conceptual, practical, and/or programmatic as either a presentation or poster.

    I am a student and interested in applying for one of the student awards. May I submit something that includes co-authors or must I submit a proposal as a single author?
    As long as you are first author on the proposal than you may submit a proposal that includes co-authors. Co-authors may be fellow students, advisors, or other professionals.

    What if I need A/V equipment?
    SECFR will provide computers and video projectors in every meeting room. All you need to bring is your presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint (or Adobe PDF) format on a flash drive. We also encourage you to bring handouts.

    May I submit a published paper for presentation?
    If you have recently completed a paper that has not been presented at a conference, please propose it.

    How many proposals can I submit?
    There is no limit on the number of proposals.

    When should I register for the conference?
    Authors of accepted proposals are expected to register for and commit to attend the conference. Completed registration forms, and the necessary fees, should be completed online (or postmarked) by the deadline.

    To ensure full consideration, proposals must be received by the stated deadlines. All proposals must be submitted using the above link to the Digital Commons system.

    Contact Information

    Questions? Contact the Proposal Coordinator, Dr. James Duncan ().