SGS Call For Presentations

For general information about the conference and links to registration, lodging, sponsors, and more, please visit our Conference Home page.

Abstract Instructions & Information

This event will bring together scholars, practitioners, students, and community partners to explore pathways to resilient aging. We welcome submissions on original research (including community engaged research), community programs/services, public policy, and research/practice/policy collaborations. Our submission software is developed for academic conferences; however, we welcome and encourage submissions from our community partners. If you have any questions about how to complete your abstract submission, please reach out to our Executive Director at admin@southerngerontologicalsociety.org. You do not have to be a member of SGS to submit an abstract.

Posters

If you submit as a Student or Professional Poster, you will present during a poster session that will likely last 1.5 - 2 hours. You will be expected to share information about your poster with attendees as they move between posters. The poster board display area will be no less than a four-foot tall by six-foot wide surface area. Poster board displays are double-sided and they will be equipped with the appropriate means of adhering the poster to its surface (tacks or clips).

Simple On-Line Submission

Please be sure to read through the Call for Abstracts Instructions before beginning. This document includes important instructions and guidelines to ensure you have all the information you need to submit your proposal. Begin your submission at https://sgs2026.exordo.com/.

Conference Domains

TRACK - As part of your abstract submission, you will be asked to choose topics related to your abstract. For purposes of our abstract submission process, these topics refer to our conference domains described below. We recognize that many submissions can be categorized under more than one conference domain. Please feel free to choose all relevant domains as topics for your submission. We encourage abstracts that demonstrate collaboration across these domains and will prioritize submissions that can demonstrate work in at least two domains. You will be asked to elaborate on how your abstract fits into the domains below.

Domain 1: Age-related Health and Wellness - America’s persistent attention on disease-focused treatments often misses key aspects of quality of life and wellness that include physical, mental and spiritual health, meaningful activity, prevention, social engagement, happiness, and enjoyment/pleasure. This domain welcomes submissions that address research, best practices in community and medical/clinical settings, policy agendas/commentaries and local examples of community programming on topics such as, but not exclusively limited to, chronic illness, oral health, dementia, social isolation and loneliness, social determinants of health, sleep, mental health, drug misuse/dependence, and the power of place.

Domain 2: Diversity Topics in Aging Communities - Inequality across social groups and identities (e.g. race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, immigrant status) have implications for older adults in almost all aspects of their lives. This domain seeks to celebrate the diversity of older adults while recognizing the challenges that differences can bring. This domain welcomes submissions that address research, best practices in community and medical/clinical settings, policy agendas/commentaries, and local examples that address fair treatment and opportunity as well as the systems, structures, and processes that impede equity and inclusiveness for all older adults with a special focus on the influence of place, specifically region, and the legacy of history and social institutions on older adults in our communities.

Domain 3: Caregiving, Care Support, and Care Partnerships - Over a lifetime, everyone will need care, and most will provide it to others. This domain welcomes all submissions related or pertaining to topics which may include, but are not limited to, caregiving (formal or informal), caregiver self-care, veteran’s care, respite services, intergenerational partnerships, therapeutic arts, supportive technology (i.e., tele-health, smart-homes, assistive devices), and other creative programming.

Domain 4: Gerontological Education and Professional Development - We emphasize the importance of continual learning for students and professionals interested in a multiplicity of careers that benefit from gerontological expertise or directly address the needs and preferences of older adults. This domain will provide insight into 1. pedagogical strategies that engage students and integrate gerontology into the classroom, 2. bridging the gap between education and practice, 3. showcasing scholarship of teaching and learning, or 4. supporting students and professionals seeking to enhance or accelerate their skill sets.

Domain 5: Advocacy for or by Older Adults - Organizations play an important role in uncovering evidence, developing policy agendas and advocating for and with older adults. Local, state, national and international entities/units also impact advocacy. Submissions that discuss policy and advocacy agendas, financial planning, elder law and/or end-of-life planning, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, state aging plans, funding for aging programs, and/or grassroots efforts are encouraged.

Need Additional Assistance?

You can email Amanda James at admin@southerngerontologicalsociety.org or call 866-920-4660 with any questions.

We have provided Presentation Examples for Paper/Poster and Mini-Workshop presentations. You can view, print, or download this PDF document - click or tap on the "Download" button.

There is also a YouTube webinar featuring specific information on how to write an abstract. You will need to scroll down to the webinar titled: "SGS 2018 Webinar - Poster Presentations for Conference".