Symposium Policy and Guidelines
Call for Symposia for BPA2024:
Opens 10th April 2024 and closes 5pm, 15th May 2024,
Symposia are submitted via the BPA website (scroll down for submission form).
Scientific Review Panel
Symposia are reviewed and scored by the BPA Scientific Review Panel (SRP). Each year a Scientific Review Panel chair is selected via consultation between the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the BPA Executive. The review panel will include: self-nominated BPA members (criteria for self-nomination is final year PhD student and above, current BPA membership, attendance of at least one BPA Annual Scientific Meeting), members of the Exec and LOC, and BPA members invited to the panel via consultation between Exec, LOC and SRP Chair. BPA members that have self-nominated will also be selected by the consultation between Exec, LOC and SRP Chair. The SRP should reflect the BPA Equity and Diversity Statement (see below)
Symposia Proposal Guidelines:
- Each symposium should have 3-4 speakers, a chair (usually the nominee, can be a speaker) and a discussant.
- Each Symposium will be ~60 minutes, and speakers have 10-15 minutes with time allowed for questions and discussion at the end. Time should be allocated to the discussant to highlight an important take-home, or question arising to provoke discussion.
- Prior to submission of the proposal the nominee must obtain email confirmation from all participants that they agree to attend the conference in person.
- The symposium should endeavour to
- Include speakers from different institutions and geographic regions of Australia
- Achieve a gender balance and a mix of levels across participants (Chair, Discussant, Speakers)
- Take into consideration the BPA Equity and Diversity Statement.
- The proposal must include a description of the diversity within the symposium.
- All participants must be current members of BPA at the time of the meeting.
- Participants can only contribute to one Symposium submission.
Selection Process and Criteria
- Symposia are reviewed and scored by the BPA Scientific Review Panel (SRP) *see above).
- Final selection will be determined after discussion to ensure the research is of the highest relevance to BPA, and of high scientific quality. Consideration of symposia topics in the prior 2 years will also be taken into account. Similar symposia won’t be ruled out – but justification of research progress or distinction from previous symposium must be included.
- Proposals will be considered primarily on scientific merit. The following will also be taken into consideration:
- Alignment with the BPA Equity and Diversity statement (see below)
- Geographic and Institutional representation
- The mix of levels across participants
BPA Equity and Diversity Statement
- Biological Psychiatry Australia (BPA) has a mission to promote research and innovation in the field of biological psychiatry within Australia.
- Diversity drives quality and innovation, and so BPA strives to develop a strong culture of diversity and inclusivity. We aim for all voices to be heard, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, socioeconomics, sexuality, religion, or any other attribute.
- We recognise our responsibility to our membership to promote equity of opportunity across all our activities, including developing meeting programs, and bestowing prizes and awards. We will not tolerate actions or language that discriminates against any person or persons based on gender, race, disability, age, socioeconomics, sexuality, religion or any other attribute, at any event held by or sponsored by BPA.
- Through fostering a culture of inclusivity, we aim to promote diversity and provide a forum where researchers of all levels and all backgrounds can freely share ideas and inspiration.