From draft to podium: a guide for researchers at any stage
Whether you are just starting in research or are an experienced academic, writing abstracts for conferences is a continuous process of skill development. This is because it requires a unique blend of academic and communication skills that differ from writing full academic papers, as each abstract presents its own challenges. For most academic events (unless you are directly invited to speak or present a poster) you will need to submit an abstract by a specific deadline, after which it goes through a committee and a select few are chosen for oral presentation.
In this article, I will share valuable tips on how to create a winning abstract that communicates your research clearly, engagingly, and effectively. Presenting your project as a poster is just as valuable as speaking, offering a great opportunity to network and receive feedback. However, my focus will be on guiding you in developing winning abstracts that significantly improve your chances to be selected not as a conference poster presenter, but as a speaker.
What makes an abstract strong and likely to be accepted for presentation?
A weak conference abstract lacks focus, fails to convey the project’s significance, and does not align with the theme of the event. It may contain overly technical language, and fails to highlight the novelty of the research or the clear link between the research problem, methodology and results.
Getting a compelling abstract is both a skill and a strategy. To ensure your abstract is accepted, align your research overview with the conference theme, scope and audience, and follow the event’s guidelines to the letter. Guidelines are provided in the Call for Papers (CFP). The CFP will guide you towards adhering to any formatting and referencing instructions and the specific word limits (typically 250-300 words, although some disciplines may occasionally request summaries up to 1000 words). Occasionally, institutions and organisations provide abstract submission templates to ensure consistency in formatting and facilitate the review process.
Conventions for writing conference abstracts can vary across disciplines. To understand what is expected, look for past academic symposia in the same field, preferably from the same organisation, to review which papers were previously accepted, and the style used in successful abstracts. Your research approach will also influence the content of your overview; in that sense, every abstract is as unique as the project behind it.
Think of a conference abstract as similar in format to one in an academic paper, but in a more engaging manner: how would you communicate your research to other academics in 90 seconds? Your conference abstract should be written in concise, clear language, avoiding generalisations. A well-developed summary demonstrates professionalism and academic ethos. Effective synopses generate academic dialogue; they also increase your research visibility. Remember, most events publish abstracts online, so a successful well-crafted overview can help you promote your research and potentially attract future funding.
Strategies for a winning conference abstract
Starting with a set of important questions as a starting point, I offer tips to guide your thinking and help shape your abstract. These suggestions are not meant to be followed rigidly. With a strict word limit in place, keep only what resonates with the needs of your project.
What problem are you addressing?
You can begin by clarifying who is addressing the problem, whether it is you as an individual researcher or you are part of a team or collaboration. Also, indicate the stage your research is at. Then, introduce the issue your project tackles, framing it as a gap or emerging question in the field. You may wish to explain the background or content, to show that your work builds on existing research. Describe the problem briefly but clearly, linking it to the theme of the event. While some jargon may be unavoidable, aim to explain key complex concepts using plain, accessible language, especially if the audience is unfamiliar with your terminology.
Why should the reader care about your research problem and the results?
When developing this part of the abstract, imagine that you are addressing the reader directly. Use active voice to explain how your research problem applies to the real world; for example, how does it relate to current policies or socioeconomic or scientific debates? Highlight the urgency and relevance of your research within broader discussions in your field and beyond. You can refer to notable scholarship to position your work, but keep the focus on the potential impact of your own work to show why it matters now.
There are thousands of research papers available; why should yours be the one they want to read?
This question complements the one before. Emphasise how your research goes beyond existing scholarship by highlighting its methodological strength, originality and interdisciplinary approach, and showcasing how it brings fresh knowledge to the discipline.
What methods did you use to solve this problem?
Summarise your methods clearly and concisely, briefly referencing the design and tools (e.g. ethnography, or mathematical modelling) and explain their suitability for your research problem. Specify the frameworks or models used, highlighting the rigor and reliability of your methods in producing valid results.
What were your results?
Present your main results in plain language. Highlight findings that were unexpected or challenged existing knowledge. You might briefly mention patterns or themes. A good idea would be to use action-oriented language to show what changed through your research, and why your findings matter.
What are the implications of your findings in your field and in general?
Always link your findings to the original research question and conference theme, and explain how your work advances theory, practice, or policy. If relevant, highlight its interdisciplinary significance. Propose possible next steps and remain solution-oriented by suggesting how your results can inform future action.
Can your results be generalised to wider populations?
Be honest and transparent if your data are limited, as acknowledging these limitations adds credibility to your work. Even with limited data, your findings may still be transferable to other specific contexts, and your results could be compared with those from related studies. Suggest how future research could build on your work or how your findings might be applied in other settings.
Refining your abstract
You will most likely need to review several drafts of your abstract before you are confident that it is ready for submission to the organising committee. Share your draft with your collaborators, a colleague or research supervisor for feedback or approval. This helps you get fresh perspectives on how well you communicate your research, and decide on research-specific keywords to list after your abstract, if required in the CFP.
During the revision process, eliminate grammar and syntax errors to maintain professionalism. Also, focus on improving readability, and polish your abstract for clarity, simplicity, coherence and logical flow. Throughout the review process, always ask yourself whether the messages are clear to non-experts in your field. Your summary should be tailored to your intended audience, ensuring that it is both engaging and accessible.
Conclusion
Take creating conference abstracts as a strategic learning opportunity. It helps you build skills in clarity, brevity, and enhances your self-awareness as a researcher. Through this process, you learn to communicate the value of your work clearly and purposefully, tailored to specific audiences. Strong abstracts have much more potential than just giving you some time on the podium and a future publication to list on your CV. They help you build your research identity, give your research more visibility, and invite others to collaborate with you.
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