Abstract Guidelines

FORMATS

Artwork
Visual art including but not limited to paintings, sketches, sculpture, etc.
Times and locations for display of art work will follow. Authors are responsible for the shipping and mounting of their work. Narrative reflections and poetry submissions will also be accepted in this category. Narrative art submissions will have a 1,000 word limit.
Medical Student & Resident Creative Writing and Visual Art Contest closes on January 15, 2026 at 11:59PM Eastern. For more information or to submit your artwork, please visit the contest website.

Innovative Experience
20 minutes (15 minutes for presentation followed by 5 minutes for questions)
Innovative Experience in Arts and/or Humanities Pedagogy sessions will be held both Monday and Tuesday (April 20 & 21, 2026)

Oral Scholarly Presentation
20 minutes (15 minutes plus 5 minutes for questions)
Oral presentation sessions will be held both Monday and Tuesday (April 20 & 21, 2026)

Performance
30 minutes; formats include poetry, music, dance etc.
Times and locations for performances will follow. Performers are responsible for any necessary equipment or instruments.

Pecha Kutcha
20 slides, each advancing automatically after 20 seconds, for a total presentation of 6 minutes and 40 seconds, followed by 3 minutes of discussion
PechaKucha sessions will be held both Monday and Tuesday (April 20 & 21, 2026)

Poster Presentation
Posters dimensions should be a maximum of 24 inches (W) x 36 inches (L) and printed on card stock sturdy enough to be displayed on an easel. Presenters are responsible for  printing and mounting posters. 
Poster presentations will take place on Monday April 20, 2026. Presenters are asked to mount their poster in the morning, but are only required to be present at their poster for the 1 hour dedicated poster session the afternoon of April 20, 2026, and be available to answer questions about their work. 

Round Table or Participant Panel
60 minutes (40 minutes, 20 minutes questions)
Round Tables/Participant Panels will be held both Monday and Tuesday (April 20 & 21, 2026). Each Round Table/Participant Panel should have a facilitator and 1 or more presenters. 

Workshop (60 & 90 Minute)
Workshops must have at most 25% for didactic presentations and 75% interactive time
Workshops will be held Monday and Tuesday morning (April 20 & 21, 2026). 

REQUIREMENTS

Abstracts are limited to 300 words, not including the following sections: section titles, presenter names/affiliations, learning objectives and references.  Abstracts exceeding the maximum length of 300 words will not be accepted. Abstracts must be written in English or French. 

Specifically:

• For Scholarly Oral and Poster Presentations: Background/purpose + methods + results + discussion + 1-2 learning objectives
• For Workshops and Panel Discussions: Background/purpose + instructional methods + 1-2 learning objectives
• For PechaKucha Presentations: Background/purpose + methods/process + results.
• For Innovative Experience in Arts and/or Humanities Pedagogy Presentations: Background/purpose + instructional methods + results + discussion + 1-2 learning objectives
• For Performances and Artwork: Background/purpose + methods/process + electronic image or performance description + artist’s statement explaining the work and its link to the conference’s theme of identity.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Multiple submissions are allowed for each author. However authors must be aware of concurrent sessions, which can create scheduling conflicts, and make arrangements to present their work, once the final conference agenda is released. 
• Please note: this conference is IN PERSON with no virtual options for presentation or participation.
• Successful presenters and co-presenters must confirm the intent to present by January 23, 2026. All presenters and co-presenters must register for the Conference by the Early Bird Registration deadline. Presenters assume all costs related to their attendance at the Conference, including the Conference registration fee.
• You may submit your abstract as either an oral presentation and/or poster presentation. Only one format will be accepted, you will be notified of the format of your presentation when notices of acceptance are sent out. 

IMPORTANT DATES

Call for Abstracts Opens: August 15, 2025
Call for Abstracts Closes: November 3, 2025 at 11:50PM Eastern
Notification of Acceptances: December 2025
Registration Opens: Early 2026
Conference Dates: April 19-21, 2025

IMPORTANT TERMS

• Lead Author - Lead author is the person who carried out the majority of the work being presented. In the case of artworks or performances, the lead author is  the primary artist or creator.
• Co-Authors - List a maximum of 7 co-authors in order of their contribution to the work, whether or not these co-authors are attending Creating Space 16 in Ottawa, ON. Participation of co-authors in person is encouraged but not required.
• Presenter - You will be asked to indicate the name of the main presenter, even if multiple people will be presenting the work. This may be, or need not be, the “lead author”. The presenter is someone who will be onsite, and will be receiving emails related to the abstract and its acceptance status. Once the presentation has been accepted, the presenting author(s) must register for Creating Space 16 in Ottawa, ON, and pay the registration fee (no exceptions).