Workshop and Short Course Proposals
Instructions, Requirements & Criteria
Workshops & Short Courses
Short courses and workshops will primarily be scheduled as pre- and post-congress activities to minimize conflicts with symposia or contributed paper sessions (scheduling as per logistics and travel constraints, but dates finalized on course acceptance). There are a very limited number of slots open for 75-minute workshops on lunch breaks during the congress. Sessions should be aimed at development of professional skills in topics of key relevance to the practice of conservation.
Proposal Format
Proposals must contain the following information:
- Short Course or Workshop title (150 character limit)
- Organizer(s) name, affiliation and complete contact information, including email address
- Duration – between 75 minutes – 16 hours
- Proposed theme and justification for why the topic is appropriate and significant for a workshop/ short course (300 word limit)
- An abstract describing the session. This abstract will be used to advertise the session. (300 word limit)
- Detailed description of the session including a list of proposed topics and a list of confirmed speakers/presenters (with affiliation and field of work) and contact information. (850 word limit)
- Maximum number of participants
- Room set-up
- Session organizer(s), moderator(s), presenter(s) and participants must agree to the participation policy.
Review Criteria
Criteria for Selection
All proposals will be peer-reviewed by at least two reviewers selected by the NACCB 2020 Scientific Program Committee. Applicants will be notified about the status of their proposals and any requested revisions by early winter 2019. We encourage proposals that prioritize diversity among invited speakers and organizers, from individuals or groups involved in cutting edge conservation science or practice. Broad or specific relevance to the conference theme, Crossing Boundaries: Innovative Approaches to Conservation, is encouraged but not a selection criterion for workshops/short courses.
To increase the probability that your proposal will be selected, please consider the following criteria carefully:
- Merit of the proposal: contributing to the field of conservation, quality of the work
- Opportunity for professional skills development in key conservation topics
- Relevance to North American conservation issues
- Novelty of the topic
- Diversity among invited speakers and organizers
- Demonstrated concordance with at least one of the four goals of the Society for Conservation Biology North America: science, management, policy, education, or a coherent linkage among these 4 areas, described below:
Conservation Science – The scientific research and knowledge needed to understand and conserve biological diversity is identified, funded, completed, disseminated and applied to research, management and policy.
Conservation Management – Conservation practitioners and managers are provided the scientific information and recommendations needed to conserve biological diversity at all scales.
Policy – Policy decisions of major international conventions, governments, organizations, and foundations, are effectively informed and improved by the highest quality scientific counsel, analysis, and recommendations so as to advance the conservation of biological diversity.
Education – Education, training, and capacity-building programs, including but not restricted to content focused on communications & behavior change are identified, strengthened, and developed to inform the public, education leaders, and support current and future generations of conservation scientists and practitioners.
Important: Session organizers will be provided with AV package options and pricing upon acceptance of a proposal. Organizers are responsible for covering all AV, catering, and additional equipment/printing costs. Organizers can cover catering and AV costs (orders will be placed by SCBNA) by charging a registration fee for the course or workshop. SCBNA will not be able to distribute remaining funds to organizers. The conference committee will work with organizers to determine an appropriate price level for registration, and minimum number of attendees. Organizers may instead choose to cover these costs via sponsorship or other means if obtained. Costs beyond AV and catering must be covered in a manner separate from registration fees. If a workshop or short course does not obtain the minimum number of attendees required to cover costs, the session may need to be cancelled. The conference committee will inform organizers of such an event in a timely manner.
For additional questions, contact: megan.keville@scbnorthamerica.org