Call for session proposals

Guidelines for submissions

• What we’re looking for

  We are interested in proposals that address one or more of the following areas:

  How trust in evidence works, e.g.

  • Evidence appraisal and assessing different types of evidence
  • Engaging with diverse research methodologies, disciplines, and knowledges
  • Navigating tensions between research rigour and policy needs

  Trust in evidence under pressure, e.g.

  • Standards of trust in evidence in times of crisis or high-pressured situations
  • Managing uncertainty, ambiguity, or incomplete evidence
  • The role of knowledge mobilisers in countering assumption, misinformation, and disinformation

  Building trust in practice, e.g.

  • Use of narratives and stories
  • Relational and long-term engagement practices
  • Co-productional and collaborative approaches

  Democratic accountability for evidence use in policymaking, e.g.

  • Place-sensitive policymaking and local legitimacy
  • Public trust in expertise, experts, and institutions
  • Engaging communities and citizens in evidence-informed decision-making

  Session proposals on other topics linked to the conference theme of trust in evidence in academic-policy engagement are welcome.

• Who should submit a session proposal

  Proposals are invited from anyone who supports, undertakes, or analyses academic-policy engagement including:

  • University professional services, including but not limited to knowledge mobilisation / knowledge exchange staff
  • Policymakers and practitioners, including civil servants, local and regional government staff and Parliamentary staff
  • Academics and researchers
  • Funders and intermediaries

  We encourage proposals that:

  • Include a colleague from a UPEN member organisation.
  • Are co-delivered. For example, by academics and policymakers, researchers and knowledge mobilisers, or across institutions and sectors, and which reflect shared perspectives and learning.
  • Consider Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in both the design and delivery, paying attention to whose voices are centred, how participants are able to contribute, and how power dynamics are acknowledged and addressed.
  • Demonstrate how learning from the session could be embedded beyond the conference, for example through changes to practice, follow-on collaboration, resources, networks, or a UPEN community of practice.

  Staff at UPEN member institutions should inform their institutional lead when submitting.

• Who is your session designed for

  Session proposals should consider the conference audience, which will be a mix of university professionals, knowledge mobilisers, academics, funders, and people who work in government, Parliament, and other policy organisations.

  Sessions may be directed towards a specific audience or designed for a diverse group. The conference team will select sessions to ensure a balance across themes, formats and audiences.

  Session leads should be available to present on either conference day.

• What format should your session be

  Session proposals should be:

  • Interactive, for example using peer-learning methodologies.
  • Deliverable in 60-75 minutes.
  • Designed to be inclusive and accessible.

  Proposals do not have to be fully formed at this stage. We are happy to work collaboratively with session leads to shape sessions if accepted.

• Outputs

  All accepted sessions are required to produce an output following the conference. This could be a LinkedIn post, blog, video or something entirely different. We are happy to discuss these with you.

• How to submit

  Session leads should submit via Microsoft Form by 15 February 23:59GMT.

  The form will ask you to outline:

  • Session lead(s) and details
  • Your working title
  • An overview of your session (max 200 words)
  • Promotional copy (max 100 words)
  • Your target audience and how your session will be of value to them (max 200 words)
  • How you intend to run your session (max 200 words)
  • How you are considering EDI in delivery and, where applicable, content (max 200 words)
  • AV, room set up, and accessibility requirements
• Key dates
  • Submissions open: 14 January
  • Deadline for submissions: 15 February 23:59GMT
  • Notification of outcome: end of March
  • Deadline for accepted presenters to register & confirm attendance: 20 April
  • Final outline of session due: mid-May

  All successful session leads are guaranteed a spot at the conference but are still required to register through Eventbrite.