Call for Papers
Following its return in 2021, DocFest Virtual Graduate Research Conference is back again in 2023 to showcase the depth and breadth of the research, experience and resources that are on offer in Graduate Research programmes at Charles Sturt and the shared experience of the research journey and beyond.
As well as a diverse range of keynote speakers, panels and workshops we are also inviting contributions to the following concurrent breakout sessions as detailed below.
Graduate research candidates, ECRs, supervisors and research support staff are invited to present papers or e-posters as they relate to the theme areas listed below.
Papers will be presented in concurrent breakout rooms with a facilitator assigned to each room.
Key dates
Abstract submissions due - COB Monday 3 April
Submit your abstract here by Monday 3rd April
Return of revised abstracts following review - COB Monday 8 May
E-Poster submission – COB Monday 15 May
In order to include as many quality papers as possible, abstracts will be reviewed and assessed relative to the conference objectives and for originality and you will be notified of your acceptance and or the requirement for revisions within 21 days of submission.
There is a workshop, How to write an abstract, being held on March 2, 2023 which you might like to register for.
Would you like to publish your full paper as part of conference proceedings?
If you would like to have your full conference paper published on the DocFest website please indicate this when you submit your abstract and we will send you a style guide and submission details.
Session Themes
The topics listed in the themes below are a guide only and presenters are not limited to these topics.
Please indicate in your submission which of the themes your paper addresses. If you have a topic that does not sit within a theme listed below, please still submit an abstract and select the ‘Other research topic’ when you register.
- Methods and Methodologies
Exploring the application or value of a range of methodological approaches, research tools and designs this session will include but is not limited to:
- Specific methodological approaches- quantitative and qualitative
- Research tools and designs
- Interdisciplinary research
- Mixed methods
- Indigenous methodologies
- Theory building
- Epistemologies and Ontologies
- Data Analysis
- Research practice
We are all striving to achieve best practice as researchers. Share the skills and techniques you have developed as a researcher. Presentations in this session will include but are not limited to:
- Ethics
- Research integrity
- Academic integrity
- Reference management
- Project management tools
- Useful software
- Sustainable practice
- Well-being and self-management
Managing to maintain your life balance over the sustained period of time and effort it takes to complete a doctoral degree can take its toll and even the best will run into roadblocks or writers block! Presentations in this session will provide insights into how to manage your time, your work and your well-being including but not limited to:
- Planning your thesis
- Writers block and writing issues
- Fatigue, mental health, and finding wellbeing
- Dealing with ‘Imposter syndrome’
- Navigating the unexpected
- Individual Development Plans
- Professional Doctorates and returning to study
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Protecting your IP
- Volunteering, workplace learning and Internships
- Mentoring
- Career planning and management
- Building your transferable skills
- Celebrating achievements, success stories and awards
- First Nations research
This session will feature research by Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers who are researching with First Nations communities, perspectives or issues with topics including but not limited to:
- First Nations methodologies
- Knowledge systems
- cultural safety
- ethics
- truth-telling
- Data sovereignty
- Other research topic
If you wish to present a paper that does not sit under the four themes above please still submit your abstract under this session.
Guidelines for papers
Papers may relate specifically to their doctoral research projects or can draw more broadly on aspects of their personal research journey.
Papers from research or professional staff may include research or research experiences, resources or support services as they relate to the graduate researcher journey or to supervision practice.
Papers should be accessible and interesting to a broad audience to help researchers do better research.
Time limits are to be strictly adhered to. Abstracts that exceed the word limit will not be accepted for review.
Please refer to ‘How to write and abstract’ for guidance.
All abstracts will be reviewed, and you will receive notification of your submissions acceptance and any revisions required within 21 days. Final revised drafts of abstracts must be returned for inclusion in the program no later than Monday 8 May.
We welcome long and short papers as detailed below.
We also encourage you to attend “this great session on how to present online” for some great tips on developing your slides and developing an engaging online presentation.
Please send any enquiries to Jennifer at jpodesta@csu.edu.au
Guidelines and Submission details
Long Papers
An abstract of not more than 150 words* should be submitted for review via this Survey Monkey Link by COB Monday 3 April 2023.
Presentations should be not more than 15 minutes (10 minutes presentation and 5-minute Q&A) and should include a PowerPoint (no limit on slide number).
Short Papers
An abstract of not more than 150 words* should be submitted for review by COB Monday 3 April 2023.
Presentations should be not more than 8 minutes (5 minutes presentation and 3 minutes Q&A) and should include a PowerPoint (no limit on slide number).
Abstracts
There is a workshop, How to write an abstract, being held on March 2, 2023 which you might like to register for.