Scholars in the Psychology of Religion employ different disciplinary and methodological perspectives to study diverse topics, such as lived spirituality, religious diversity and health and wellbeing. In this conference, we are particularly interested in highlighting the inherent cross-disciplinarity of the Psychology of Religion, both between disciplines (e.g., psychology, theology, religious studies) and within disciplines (e.g., different sub-disciplines of Psychology, including social, developmental, neuroscience, etc.). While you do not need to explicitly address cross-disciplinarity in your submission, we encourage you to consider how your work might engage with this theme.
The call for proposals is now closed and we are no longer accepting abstracts.
Types of submission
New: Lightning talks
Due to an unprecedented number of abstract submissions, we have decided to include an additional type of presentation at the IAPR conference this year. Similar to what are often termed “data blitzes” at psychology conferences, we will be having a number of “lightning talks.” Lightning talk presentations are 5-minute rapid fire presentations grouped into sessions of 8 presentations. These popular sessions are attendees’ best chance to capture the span of the field in one session.
Just as with the poster presentations, we will be offering a “best lightning talk” prize for the conference
Oral Paper
Update: A paper presentation consists of 15 minutes of presentation and 5 minutes of discussion (note, this is shorter than originally announced due to the higher than anticipated number of applications to the conference this year).
We encourage presenters to plan their presentations in such a way that it will elicit a constructive discussion.
Panel
A panel is a coordinated set of papers, all dealing with a particular topic or issue. A panel includes a chairperson and 3 or 4 presentations, which may include a discussant (optional).
Poster
A poster is an opportunity to display information about completed or ongoing research. Posters will be displayed through the duration of the conference with designated sessions scheduled for participants to meet with authors to discuss their work. The presenting author must be present for their poster session.
Abstract submission instructions
Oral Paper/Poster
- Character limit: 1,000 (total)
- Please explicitly use the following 3 headings (“Aim”, “Methodology”, “Findings”) in your abstract. If your abstract does not contain these headings, it will be bounced back for revision.
Aim: The aim/purpose of your paper/poster
Methodology: The methodology you followed in your research/review
Findings: The (expected) findings in your empirical work or the message you want the audience to take away, if it is a review.
Scholars can be first author only on one submission but are able to be co-authors (non first authors) on other submissions
Submit your proposal for an individual oral paper or poster
Panel
- Description of what panel is about (1000 characters max), and the abstracts following the specific format above for each paper in the panel. For example, if your panel includes 4 presentations, you’ll need to submit a description of the panel and 4 abstracts. The panel proposal submission form below will guide you through this process.
- Panel proposals that are not accepted will automatically be considered for individual oral papers. Hence, if a paper is included in a panel submission, then the author(s) should not fill out the individual paper version of the form with the same information.
- Scholars can be first author only on one submission but are able to be coauthors (non-first authors) on other submissions.
Lighting talk competition and guidelines
Best lightning talk award
The best lightning talk will be awarded a special certificate and free registration for one person to the next IAPR conference. The lightning talks will be evaluated by the conference’s scientific committee based on:
- the coherence of the content,
- the clarity of the message, and
- engagement and communication
Planning your lightning talk
The lightning talk presentation should capture the essence and salient points of your research, highlighting key results or outcomes. Presenters are encouraged to prepare a maximum of 5 slides in PowerPoint format and provide a 5-minute presentation of their work, followed by 1 minute of Q&A. The timing of these presentations will be rigidly adhered to.
Poster competition and guidelines
Best poster award
The best poster will be awarded a special certificate and free registration for one person to the next IAPR conference. The posters will be evaluated by the conference’s scientific committee based on:
- the coherence of the content,
- the clarity of the message, and
- the visual attractiveness of the poster.
Planning your poster
A poster should be complete and self-supporting so that different viewers may read at their leisure. The author should only need to supplement or discuss particular points raised during inquiry. Remember that several people of varying degrees of interest and experience may be viewing your poster at the same time. Therefore, you may wish to make your points as complete and brief as possible.
Poster dimensions should not exceed A0 size (84.1 cm x 118.9 cm / 33.1 inches x 46.8 inches). Note that posters should be in “portrait” orientation only. The most effective use of the space would be in a grid plan arranged in columns. Allow for space when printing and planning layouts.
The standard elements are Introduction, Methods, Results (with supporting figures), and a Conclusion or Summary. Fonts should be easily seen from a distance of roughly 2 meters. Using the guidelines above, the introduction would be placed at the upper left, and the conclusion at the lower right, both in large type. It is not necessary to post a copy of the abstract.
Figures should also be easily seen from a distance. Use clear graphics and large fonts to accomplish this. The main points should be straightforward without extended viewing, but details should be included for those who might wish to discuss them. Because the amount of text is restricted, the figure legend could contain some of the commentary that would usually be contained in the body of a manuscript.
- Minimize narrative.
- Use large fonts in short, separated paragraphs.
- Do not set entire paragraphs in boldface or capital letters.
- Numbered or bulleted lists are a concise and effective way to convey a series of points.
Prepare a banner for the top of the poster indicating the abstract title, author(s) and affiliation(s). Lettering should be about 1 1/4 inches (3.12cm) high for the title, 3/4 inches (1.9cm) high for the author’s names and 1/2 inch (1.27cm) high for affiliations.