FAQs about Submitting Convention Proposals

What types of program options are available?
When will I know if my submission has been accepted?
Can I submit a presentation proposal to APAGS that was accepted last year for a poster session at APA?
Is submitting a proposal to APAGS the same as submitting a proposal to a division?
Does APAGS accept research reports?
Is it better to submit a proposal to APAGS or to a division?
How long are presentations and what are the options for length?
Do I have to pay to register for the convention if I am a presenter?
What topics are especially interesting to APAGS’ audience?
What is APAGS Suite Programming?
Do I have to be a member of APAGS to submit a proposal to chair an APAGS session?

What types of program options are available?

Program options include poster presentations and programs, which include symposia, discussion sessions, and workshops.

Poster sessions allow presenters and attendees to engage in extended one-on-one discussions regarding the author’s presentation that is in illustrated format on a poster board. Several posters are displayed simultaneously and attendees have an opportunity to browse the displays and talk to the authors. Presenters usually have handouts.

Poster presentations use the same required cover sheet for individual presentations. The cover sheet is available in the Call for Programs in the September Monitor. APAGS offers a one-hour Suite Poster Session each year with up to 20 posters.

Symposiums consist of an introduction to the topic by the chairperson to provide the audience with background for the ensuing discussion. Panelists then present their viewpoints, followed by interchange among panelists and then between the audience and panelists. Often the symposium will end with an overview of the proceedings by the chairperson or a discussant. A symposium is not a paper-reading session. It is intended to generate debate and conversation.

Conversation hours are an opportunity for informal discussion and exchange of ideas between the audience and the presenters. The audience can ask questions and discuss relevant issues in more detail than is typical in other types of sessions.

Workshops are roughly one- to two-hour programs that teach direct skills and the application of theory to participants. Workshops combine theoretical and experiential approaches. Leaders typically offer practical experience to help participants increase their understanding and skills in a particular area of current interest in psychology. NOTE: Unlike Divisions, APAGS does not offer paper sessions.

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When will I know if my submission has been accepted?

The APAGS Office will only inform the program proposal chair of acceptance and rejection decisions in late February.

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Can I submit a presentation proposal to APAGS that was accepted last year for a poster session at APA?

Yes, if there is compelling new information or additional presenters that extend or add another perspective on the topic.

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Is submitting a proposal to APAGS the same as submitting a proposal to a division?

The submission process is similar for divisions and APAGS; each division selects programs that match the specialty interests of the division, based upon their own selection criteria and needs.

APAGS operates similarly and is less likely to select programs that only appeal to small subsets of students or specific specialty areas/topics.

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Does APAGS accept research reports?

Yes. However, research results that pertain only to a narrow subject area are less likely to attract attention from APAGS’ diverse audience and therefore may fit better in division programming. Research topics that
focus on issues important to students across the spectrum of psychology are encouraged and welcomed in APAGS programming.

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Is it better to submit a proposal to APAGS or to a division?

It depends on the audience you want to attract and the message or training you want to provide. APAGS is broad-based and student focused, therefore program topics that pertain only to students of cognitive psychology or school psychology or any of the other subdisciplines of psychology are probably better suited to division programming. However, topics that pertain to psychology students across the range of psychology, or meet the needs of a large segment of students, are more appropriate for APAGS. Also, submitting a program to a division requires sponsorship from a full APA member.

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How long are presentations and what are the options for length?

Presentations should be 50 minutes as most sessions at APA convention are generally 50 minutes long. The division of that 50-minute allotment is at the discretion of the chair and panel presenting. Occasionally, APAGS will make an exception for 1 hour and 50 minute workshops and symposia if the request for more time is included in the submission.

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Do I have to pay to register for the convention if I am a presenter?

Yes, but, a nice perk is that the APAGS member program chair/co-chairs of regular programs will receive a waiver for their convention registration fee, if they pre-register for the convention. (APAGS will pay the registration fee for APAGS-member chairs of Suite Programs as funding permits.)

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What topics are especially interesting to APAGS’ audience?

To begin, take a look at this year’s APAGS programming. Bearing that in mind, consider some recurring questions or issues in psychology that you may have discussed with your peers. Also consider valuable lessons that you may have learned throughout your graduate school experience that other students might benefit from. For example, research strategies, CV preparation, and dealing with financial issues have universal appeal. Notice any gaps in your training program? Leading a discussion on how to fill those gaps on a training level, in a more practical setting may be worth investigation.

The possibilities are enormous and you are encouraged to explore. But with all topics, please be sure that you bring some credibility to the table. For example, helping your friends write their CVs, while kind and generous, may not be as impressive to your future audience as having worked as a recruiter and/or conducted graduate-level research on CV and resume preparation.

Feel free to contact the APAGS office if you would like to know if your program idea is one that would most likely draw an audience and be accepted. (Please note: advice from the staff is informational and developmental, and does not guarantee, or preclude, acceptance.)

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What is APAGS Suite Programming?

Suite programs take place in the APAGS Hospitality Suite and are advertised in a one page ad in the regular convention program book, though not listed chronologically with other programs. The suite location will be posted at the APAGS convention booth. Suite program listings also appear in the full APAGS Convention Program Schedule available on the APAGS Web site, at the APAGS Booth, and mailed to APAGS members.

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Do I have to be a member of APAGS to submit a proposal to chair an APAGS session?

No. But, there must be at least one APAGS member presenter on the proposal. APAGS members are encouraged to chair a program since APAGS is the only group that allows student program chairs. If you would like to join APAGS now, applications for Student Affiliate membership can be downloaded here.

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Back to Call for Proposals information.