APSAD Annual Scientific Alcohol and Drug Conference
 

First Peoples Abstract Mentor Program


The Abstract Mentor Program is being introduced at the 2015 APSAD Scientific Alcohol & Drug Conference (APSAD 2015), with the objective of helping First Peoples (Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori) working in the AOD field to improve their abstracts before submitting them, thus increasing the chance of their work being represented at conferences.

The program is especially targeted at First Peoples from resource-limited settings who lack access to opportunities for rigorous mentoring in research and writing. The aim of the Abstract Mentor Program is to increase the motivation of First Peoples as well as the number of abstract submissions received from First Peoples working in the area who may not be able to submit an abstract on their own or have the confidence to present at the conference.

The program is completely independent of the abstract review and selection process.

Abstract Mentor Program – Practical Steps
  • have a think about what information you want to share
  • Contact a mentor from the list below to discuss how to put together your abstract or have a go putting together one and then contact a mentor to go over it.
General Rules
  • Each delegate can submit up to 2 abstracts to the program for mentoring:
    • One abstract may be submitted for review and re-submitted after revision based on mentor feedback
      OR
    • Two separate abstracts may each be submitted once for mentor feedback
  • Mentors will help abstract submitters answer questions around formal requirements for abstracts, research methods and analysis, as well as how to select appropriate tracks and categories.
  • Mentors will not make any edits/changes in submitted abstracts.
  • Mentors cannot indicate if s/he thinks the abstract is likely to be selected or not.

APSAD Abstract Mentors
Julia Butt, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University (Conference Co-Convenor)
Anna Stearne, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University
Terry Huriwai, Hau Mārire, Addiction Workforce Programme
Julie Spratt, Western Australia Drug & Alcohol Office