Sigma Xi is pleased to continue a new format for its Annual Meeting with overarching multidisciplinary themes that represent emerging trends in science and engineering. Conference program submissions are open to all researchers, engineers, technologists, ethicists, and communicators. Membership in Sigma Xi is not required for submissions. Submissions are reviewed and organized by Sigma Xi members to best serve the Society, the research community, and the public.
The Program Committee for the 2019 Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference invites researchers from around the world to submit abstracts for symposia, oral and/or poster research presentations, panel discussions, and workshops. The theme for the 2019 meeting, “Our Changing Global Environment,” encourages scientific discussions on environmental changes, including climate change, population growth, chemical and biological changes in oceans, soil, and atmosphere, and their societal, economical and policy implications. We welcome session abstracts that address multidisciplinary solutions and strategies for environmental change mitigation and adaptation across life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering.
The global environment is undergoing critical changes both naturally and in response to human activities. Scientific research and engineering will be increasingly important as we deal with the resulting effects of these changes: How is the chemical composition of the atmosphere changing, and what are the ramifications of those changes? How can we sustain water and energy resources in a rapidly changing environment? What’s the effect of deforestation on biodiversity? What is the role of technology in mitigation and adaptation to environmental changes? How will climate change contribute to the spread of infectious diseases? How do we prepare the public for emerging global environmental issues? What are the socioeconomic and ethical factors to consider with a changing environment? How can your research help answer these questions and related issues?
Table of Contents
Submission Topics
The Program Committee invites multi- and interdisciplinary abstracts for symposia, workshops, panel discussions, and individual professional research presentations in the following areas:
Scientific and Engineering Content Tracks
Water Track, (call for submissions closed) featuring sessions on emerging research and/or solutions in water science and technology, including global water resources, quality, management, and analysis
Energy Track, (call for submissions closed) featuring sessions that examine emerging energy research and innovations, including conservation, sustainability, renewable energy, alternative energy technologies and assessment
Life and Health Track, (call for submissions closed) including sessions that address how life will be affected by environmental changes and how we can respond
Sigma Xi Mission-related Tracks
Science Communications Track, (call for submissions closed) including sessions on the science of science communication, engaging, and educating the public on environmental issues
Research Ethics Track, (call for submissions closed) featuring sessions on ethical challenges facing the research community and ethics of communicating about environmental changes
Professional Development Track, (call for submissions closed) including sessions on career advancement and general challenges facing the research community such as research funding, cultivating effective interdisciplinary collaborations, leadership training, publishing, and diversity.
Submission Types
1. Symposium Abstract
Abstracts are accepted on the Health and Water tracks described above. Each symposium should consist of a series of research presentations focused on one of the conference topics, emphasizing relevant issues, and featuring speakers from multiple institutions. Symposia will be held concurrently; with each symposium featuring any combination of the following formats:
Symposium Length: Symposia organizers will choose either 90 minutes or two-hour time blocks based on their proposed content.
Symposium Chair: Abstract submitter will serve as the symposium chair, the main contact, and liaison between the program committee and symposium participants. The chair will collect abstracts for the symposium, introduce speakers, and facilitate discussions with the audience.
2. Workshop Abstract
Abstracts are accepted on any of the six tracks described above. Workshops should include interactive activities and opportunities to engage participants in an active learning environment. Workshops may be facilitated by one presenter or a team of presenters. Abstracts should include biographies of workshop presenter(s). Workshops may run for two or three hours.
3. Panel Discussion Abstracts
Abstracts for panel discussions are accepted on any of the six tracks described above. Each panel will be facilitated by a moderator and feature 3-4 panelists who will offer perspectives on the topic and address questions from the audience. The organizer may or may not serve as the panel moderator. Abstracts should include biographies of the moderator and proposed panelists.
4. Professional Research Presentations Abstracts
Abstracts for oral and poster presentations are accepted on any of the six tracks described above. Poster presentations in general research areas that reflect the multidisciplinary membership of Sigma Xi are also accepted. Oral presentations will run for 20 minutes, including Q&A, and will be integrated in one of the conference tracks based on the subject matter.
Review Criteria
All abstracts will be peer reviewed by the Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference Program Committee. The committee reserves the right to accept, decline, or suggest edits on all submissions. Abstracts will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
Scientific and Engineering Content
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Contributions to understanding environmental changes and their associated global impact
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Application of innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to designing solutions
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Appeal to broader audiences
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Unbiased presentation of proposed topics
Structure and Organization
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Variety and creativity of presentation formats
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Opportunities to engage conference participants
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Comprehensive coverage of the proposed topic
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Diversity of proposed speakers
Submission Guidelines
Accepted abstracts will be published on the meeting's website and in the meeting app. All submissions are accepted by email at meetings@sigmaxi.org and should include the following information:
- Name, institution, email, position, and mailing address of the organizer and co-organizer, if applicable
- Biographies of organizers and co-organizers, if applicable
Additional Specific Guidelines
Symposia abstracts should include:
- Symposium description: the description is limited to 500 words and should focus on the theme of the session and how it relates to the conference’s overarching theme and broad, multidisciplinary audience.
- List of suggested speakers: name, institution, position, and email
- Session format
- Session length
Panel discussion abstracts should include:
- Session abstract, limited to 250 words
- Name, professional affiliation, and biography of the panel moderator. Panel organizer may serve as the moderator.
- List of proposed panelists (name, institution, position, and email) and their biographies
Workshop abstracts should include:
- Workshop description, limited to 250 words
- Name, professional affiliation, and biography of facilitator(s)
Research presentations abstracts should include:
- Presentation format: poster, oral, or both
- Abstract, limited to 250 words
- List of co-authors (name, institution, and email)
Important Dates
- Friday, February 15, 2019: Original deadline to submit abstracts
- Friday, March 1, 2019: Decision notifications sent to organizers
- Friday, April 12, 2019: Deadline for symposia organizers to submit revisions, final list of speakers, and abstracts
- Friday, June 14, 2019: Deadline to submit abstracts in the second round of the call for submissions for the Life and Health and Water tracks
- Symposia will be held November 15–16, 2019, during the Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference in Madison, Wisconsin.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the conference organizers at meetings@sigmaxi.org. We look forward to receiving your submissions.