APAGS Call for Proposals for the APA Convention
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What types of program options are
available?
A: Program options include poster presentations and programs (programs include
symposia, conversation hours, and workshops).
Poster sessions allow presenters and
attendees to engage in extended one-on-one discussions regarding the authors
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
provide 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 and on the APA Web
site.
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 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.
Q: Is submitting a proposal to APAGS the
same as submitting a proposal to a
division?
A: 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 but is less likely to
select programs that only appeal to small
subsets of students or specialty areas/topics. You may not submit the same
program to multiple divisions and APAGS
unless you are seeking co-sponsorship
between more than one group (e.g. one
hour from APAGS and one hour from
Division X) in which case, you need to
indicate the primary group and the request
for co-sponsorship. APAGS typically
does not co-sponsor programs.
Q: Is it better to submit a proposal to
APAGS or to a division?
A: 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.
Q: Does APAGS accept research reports?
A: Yes, but only if develped into a symposium, workshop, or convention hour.
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.
Q: How long are presentations and what
are the options for length?
A: When submitting your proposal, you will
have the option to select a 50 minute or 1
hour and minute timeframe. Due to limited programming hours, APAGS rarely
accepts 1 hour and 50 minute programs,
so you should try to limit your program to
50 minutes, with no more than 4 presenters. The division of that 50-minute allotment is at the discretion of the chair and panel presenting. Occasionally, APAGS
will accept 1 hour and 50 minute workshops and symposia if the topic is compelling and the proposal is outstanding.
Q: Do I have to be a member of APAGS
to submit a proposal to chair an
APAGS session?
A: No, psychologists often chair APAGS
programs, but there must always be at
least one APAGS member as a presenter
on the proposal. However, APAGS members are highly encouraged to chair and
organize programs since APAGS is the
only group that allows student program
chairs.
If you would like join APAGS now, applications for Student Affiliate membership
can be downloaded here.
Q: What topics are especially interesting
to the APAGS audience?
A: This years APAGS programming will
give you some ideas about important
perennial topics. Also, consider some
recurring questions or issues in psychology that you may have discussed with
your peers. What valuable lessons have
you learned throughout your graduate
school experience that other students
might benefit from hearing. Research
strategies, CV preparation, and dealing
with financial issues often have universal
appeal. Notice any gaps in your training
program? Consider leading a discussion
on how to fill those gaps.
The possibilities are enormous and you
are encouraged to explore new ideas.
With all topics, please be sure that you
bring some credibility to the program. For example, helping your friends write
their CVs 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. Or, if youve done extensive research on a professional development
issue, youll bring excellent expertise to a
program on a related topic.
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
that staff guidance does not guarantee or
preclude acceptance).
Q: Can I submit a presentation proposal
to APAGS that was accepted last year
for a poster session at APA?
A: Yes, if there is compelling new information
or additional presenters that extend or add
another perspective on the topic.
Q: When will I know if my submission has
been accepted?
A: The APAGS Office will inform the program proposal chair of acceptance and
rejection decisions by late February.
Proposals may be conditionally accepted
(conditions will be outlined in the acceptance letter) or your work may be accepted for APAGS Suite Programming or
another program format (e.g. poster).
Q: What is APAGS Suite Programming?
A: Due to a very limited number of regular
programming hours available to APAGS,
we host many substantive sessions in the
APAGS Suite. Social hours, conversation
hours, business meetings, Internship
Director Discussion Groups, and several
excellent programs are scheduled in the APAGS Suite each year. Suite programs
are advertised in a two-page ad in the
regular convention program book, though
are not listed chronologically with other
programs. Suite program listings appear
in the APAGS Convention Program
Schedule available on the APAGS
website, at the APAGS Booth, and in
gradPSYCH.
Q: Do I have to pay to register for the
convention if I am a presenter?
A: Unfortunately, we cannot waive or pay the
registration fee for all presenters. APAGS
members who are chairs or first authors
on APAGS regular or suite programs will
have their pre-registration fees waived or
paid by APAGS if the program is accepted and pre-registration materials are submitted on time and as indicated in the
acceptance letter.
Q: What if a presenter cannot attend and/or another presenter is added once a
program has been accepted?
A: Proposals should be submitted in complete form, with all presenters committed
to attending the convention and presenting
as indicated on the proposal. Because
programs are accepted based on variables
including who will be presenting, changes
in program presenters are only accepted in
unusual circumstances. Any change must
be provided in writing and approved
through the APAGS office. There is no
guarantee that the change will appear in the
convention program and other convention
publications.
Please contact the
APAGS Central Office via email or at (202) 336-6014 with any questions!
Learn about the Review Process for Proposals
Steps for Submitting a Proposal
Return to APAGS Call for Proposals page
Return to APAGS Convention homepage
This page last updated June 3, 2005