The Sofia University Inaugural Global Mental Health Conference is poised to happen virtually from August 18th to 20th. As part of the build-up to this notable event, a detailed live Q&A session was conducted to clarify any questions about conference submissions.
Guided by Dr. Dorote Lucci, Co-Chair of the Conference, and Dr. Simone Dimatteo, Director of Sofia Virtual Writing Lab, the session elucidated the submission guidelines and the differences between presentations and posters. This thorough understanding empowered participants to embark on the submission process confidently.
Revisit the session here.
During the Q&A, attendees could clear their doubts on various aspects of presentation skills. Some noteworthy questions raised, and their responses are as follows:
Q1: Do you have more specific guidelines for abstract?
You can find the general submission guidelines on the conference website:
Guidelines on submitting an abstract to the Global Conference on Advancing Mental Health- Enlightened Minds, Compassionate Hearts and Embodied Wisdom:
- State the Purpose: Start by stating the purpose of your research, underscoring how it integrates concepts from multiple disciplines in the context of transpersonal psychology and mental health—making sure to touch upon at least one of the four themes: Whole Person Education and Research, Transpersonal Psychotherapy and Healing, Post-Pandemic Narratives and Resiliency Building, and Transpersonal Values for Growth and Transformation.
- Highlight Interdisciplinary Methodology: Describe your methodology, ensuring you emphasize the interdisciplinary (Is interdisciplinary approach required? We can encourage it but it is not required ) approach used. Please explain how this approach helped you capture and integrate various perspectives in your research, enhancing the depth and breadth of your understanding and focusing on how it touches upon one of the four themes. Be specific in illustrating how your research methods align with the holistic education, therapeutic practices, resiliency building, or transpersonal values.
- Present Findings: Present your main findings and results, focusing on how these outcomes intersect with the conference’s themes. Highlight how your findings contribute to the understanding of the whole person approach, transpersonal healing, post-pandemic resilience, and the role of transpersonal values OR focus on how these results illustrate the interplay of different disciplines in addressing the conference title of enlightened minds and compassionate hearts and embodied wisdom.
- Implications : Discuss the impact of your findings for your research’s discipline. If your focus is interdisciplinary, explain how these disciplines can contribute to and benefit from each other in advancing mental health. OR Talk about the implications of your findings for each theme. Explain how these implications might impact mental health professionals, educators, and researchers across the themes’ diverse areas.
- Use Clear and Accessible Language: Given the global and interdisciplinary nature of the audience, it is essential to use clear language that individuals in a global context can understand.
- Follow Conference Guidelines: Adhere to APA guidelines.
- Proofread: Always proofread your abstract to ensure clarity, correct grammar, punctuation, and adherence to the word limit.
Q1: What is the deadline for submission?
A1: The submission deadline has been extended until July 20th.
Q2: Can we submit a paper and also a poster version of the same paper?
A2: Yes, such submissions are welcome.
Q3: Can we submit a philosophical paper discussing the fundamental principles of Transpersonal Psychology (TP)?
A3: Absolutely. The conference encourages submissions that delve into the philosophical underpinnings of TP and its intersection with other fields like quantum physics.
Q4: Is it permissible to submit multiple papers?
A4: Yes, we welcome multiple submissions as long as they align with the provided guidelines, encouraging a variety of discussions and exploration of diverse topics at the event.
Q5: Are there examples of effective posters or presentations to use as reference?
A5: While specific examples were not shared due to the unique nature of each presentation, this website might provide useful insights.
Q6: When will we be notified if our submission is accepted?
A6: Official notifications regarding acceptance of submissions will be sent out in the coming weeks.
Q7: What are some strategies for engaging the audience during virtual presentations?
A7: Engaging your audience can be achieved through a combination of techniques:
- Practice: Dedicate sufficient time to rehearse your presentations. This refines your message, enhances delivery, and boosts confidence.
- Organize Thoughts with Mind Mapping: Mind mapping is an effective way to structure and organize ideas. It allows you to create a visual representation of your main points and explore different angles.
- Audience Engagement: Maintain audience interest by interacting actively. Techniques can include asking questions, using humor, and seeking feedback to foster a sense of connection.
- Edit and Refine: Avoid overwhelming the audience with excessive information. Focus on delivering a clear, concise, and impactful message by editing and refining your content.
- Self-critique: Record your presentations or practice them with your eyes closed. This allows you to objectively evaluate your performance, identify areas for improvement, and develop a comfortable and authentic presence.
Q8: Will there be networking opportunities to connect with other researchers?
A8: Indeed. We’ll have pre-conference events, community conversations during the conference, and post-conference workshops, all designed to foster connections, share ideas, and encourage collaboration.
As part of our comprehensive approach to the event, we’re excited to announce a pre-conference event, ‘Unlock Your Potential: Enlightened Minds, Compassionate Hearts, and Embodied Wisdom,’ on July 23rd at the Sofia University Costa Mesa Campus. This interactive session will delve deep into the concepts of transpersonal psychology and offer practical experiences.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Event link: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/sofiapreconference
Registration link: https://checkout.eventcreate.com/sofiapreconference/register-details?oid=6c0b846b-99a2-4d45-9f84-cee123fa466f
