Here are some simple tips for success in completing the speaker
submission form for EuroSTAR 2012.
Once you have clicked submit on your submission form and
received the acceptance e-mail, the first thing that happens is
that your submission is recorded, and then all references to the
author are removed for the review process. Abstracts are then
batched together and sent out for 'blind review.' Your abstract is
sent out to several members of the review committee, which consists
of around 30 people who will be giving their time freely.
The results of the reviews are then collated and a ranking table
is drawn up. There are in excess of 250 submissions each year and
there are approximately 65 speaking slots at the conference. Last
year we had over 450 submissions - a EuroSTAR record. The slots go
to the highest scoring submissions first. So, if your abstract
scored a low mark, it is extremely unlikely that you will be
invited to speak at the EuroSTAR conference.
Alongside the scoring system the submissions are also balanced,
by country and company, and topic in order to avoid a region,
organisation or subject bias.
Our aim is to present a high quality, unbiased, open and
independent conference, aligned around the theme, which this year
is 'Innovate and Renovate: Evolving Testing.'
And to give you the greatest chance of success with your
submission these are the criteria that the review committee use to
score the submissions.
Alignment with the Theme
We recommend aligning your submission with the conference theme.
Delegates are always interested in learning about
creative/innovative/renovative approaches to solve traditional
problems. If you have an existing abstract or talk that doesn't
directly relate to the theme, please do not just add some buzzwords
to the mix. Rather, re-think your story and see where you can make
it connect. The marks are weighted in favour of the theme. You do
not have to align with the theme, but this does mean that your
submission has to stand out in other areas in order to be
considered.
Ensure that your submission is clear and understandable
One of the hardest things for reviewers is to read unclear and
unintelligible submissions. If the reviewer cannot understand your
submission then that is the fastest way to fail.
EuroSTAR is an English language conference so submissions need
to be in English. Please spell and grammar check your
submission.
When we review abstracts from non-native English speakers
allowances are made for the trickier aspects of English, such as
pluralisation, usage of verbs, and sometimes sentence order.
English is tricky, and in other languages the sentence order is
often reversed.
It is always a good idea to get someone to review your abstract
before submitting it. An outsider's perspective or a fresh pair of
eyes can often reveal something you may have missed.
Supporting materials
If you have an existing body of work available on the subject
(blog posts, articles, papers...), you now have the possibility to
point that out as well. This may help the committee in gauging the
nature and the amount of thought and work you have already put into
your subject.
What is in it for the Delegates?
It is important to let the delegates know what is in it for
them. The best presentations are generally those that have good
audience interaction and are informing as well as entertaining. It
is also important to offer the delegates something to take away
that they will be able to use immediately on return to their daily
work routine.
Audiences do have a preference for presentations which reflect
practical applications of something, as opposed to theory. And no
audience likes being sold to, so submissions that are obviously
selling a specific product (whether tools or processes) will get
lower marks in the review.
Envisaging the main take-aways for the delegates will help you
to develop your presentation. What would you like delegates to tell
their colleagues about your session when they get back to work?
Listing these points will also help the delegates in selecting
which sessions to attend.
Do I stand a better chance if I submit more proposals?
No. Contrary to popular belief, submitting 10 proposals does not
give you a higher chance to get selected. The best way to get
selected is to convince us with a compelling, clear and
understandable submission that relates to the theme. It is
imperative that it contains content that the delegates can interact
with, and leverage back into their daily work routine.