SGSSS

Call for Abstracts: Shaping the Future

Call for abstracts – Shaping the future: rising to the challenges of the climate crisis

Shaping the future: rising to the challenges of the climate crisis

We are looking for inspiring examples of doctoral research that showcase some of the ways in which social science can bring new perspectives to understanding and meeting the diverse challenges of the climate crisis. We are keen to provide you with support and professional development so that you can make the most of this opportunity. Think what a difference some excellent graphic design for your PowerPoint slides could make! And whether you’re lacking confidence in public speaking or relish describing your research to others, you could benefit from learning techniques for engaging your audience and presenting your research effectively!

The UN Climate Change Conference 2021, known as COP26, takes place in Glasgow from 1st to 12th November 2021. To coincide with this momentous occasion, SGSSS invites you to submit an abstract for a short presentation on the ways in which your doctoral research addresses the climate crisis, one of the most urgent human-driven global challenges.

Shaping the future: Rising to the challenges of the climate crisis will take place online on Wednesday 3rd November 2021 from 15:15 to 17:00 and form part of the welcome event for all new social science doctoral researchers in Scotland.  

This is an opportunity for you to present your research to students, their supervisors, an expert panel and other invited guests. We particularly welcome interdisciplinary research that offers different perspectives on the climate crisis, whether in Scotland or further afield. Topics could include, but are not restricted to: 

Abstracts will be reviewed by members of the SGSSS directorate and our expert panel: Professor Iain Docherty (Stirling), Dr Simon Shackley (Edinburgh), Professor Deirdre Shaw (Glasgow) and Dr Rehema White (St. Andrews). The expert panel will also use the selected presentations as a stimulus for discussion at the Shaping the Future event.

We will select four abstracts that: 

  • describe your research in accessible and engaging ways that will appeal to a wide audience in a 15-minute presentation 
  • demonstrate the ways in which social science research can contribute to tackling the climate crisis. 

If selected for this event, you will receive the opportunity to develop relevant professional skills.

All selected candidates will receive free tailored support to develop effective presentations and improve their public speaking skills. During the weeks prior to the event, the selected candidates will have the opportunity to attend:  

  • one group interactive workshop on public speaking skills with Joanna Young of Electv training, followed by an individual coaching session 
  • one group briefing on graphic design, followed by the availability of up to three hours of individualised graphic work (such as diagrams, visualisations, simple animations) from a prizewinning graphic designer.

This opportunity will enable participants to:  

  • engage with a series of techniques to develop the structure and narrative of their presentations  
  • gain an understanding of how to engage with non-specialist audiences  
  • develop confidence in delivering effective presentations 
  • gain an understanding of elementary graphic design 
  • develop a professional-looking PowerPoint presentation to be used for this event but which can be adapted as needed in future.

Please note that you will need to discuss the academic content of your presentation with your supervisor(s). 

 Timeline

Monday 23rd August 2021

Deadline to submit abstracts


Monday 23rd August 2021
Friday 10th September

Notification and feedback


Friday 10th September
Tuesday 14th September, 12.30-13.45

Group briefing with graphic designer Bill Walsh on PowerPoint templates and tailored graphic design work


Tuesday 14th September, 12.30-13.45
Thursday 30th September, 9.30-12.30

Group interactive workshop with Joanna Young on public speaking skills and developing the presentation


Thursday 30th September, 9.30-12.30
October

Period for follow-up individualised graphic design input with Bill Walsh; one-to-one coaching session on presentation skills with Joanna Young


October
Monday 1st November

Send finalised PowerPoint file to SGSSS


Monday 1st November
Wednesday 3rd November, 15.15-17.00

Shaping the future: rising to the challenges of the climate crisis


Wednesday 3rd November, 15.15-17.00

 Some optional background reading 

Complete the form below by Monday 23rd August 2021 to submit your abstract.