ANZLAA 2023 Conference
28 - 30 August 2023
Pullman Melbourne Albert Park



Call for Abstracts

Notification to Authors: 21 June 2023



The Australian and New Zealand Laboratory Animal Association is accepting presentation abstract submissions for the ANZLAA 2023 Conference to be held at the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park from 28 - 30 August 2023.

This three-day conference will bring together thought leaders and experts in their field, through a mixture of keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops to explore the latest trends and best practices. This year the theme of the conference will be Training. Teams. Technology.

The conference will be attended by hundreds of lab animal industry professionals and will provide opportunities to immerse yourself in the latest research, trends and innovations and network with like-minded professionals.

We invite you to be part of this conference by applying to present.



Guidelines and submission instructions

Please read the following instructions on how to prepare and submit your abstract for the 2023 ANZLAA Conference.

PLEASE NOTE:

* Abstracts submitted in hard copy will not be accepted. Only abstracts submitted via the online portal will be accepted and reviewed.

* The 2023 ANZLAA Conference is to be held face to face in Melbourne.

If the submission is accepted, all speakers are expected to register and pay to attend the conference. Please note. we are only accepting in-person speakers and we are unable to facilitate virtual presentations.

An abstract is a short description of the content that you will be presenting at the conference. The abstract selection committee will use it to decide whether your oral presentation or poster will be accepted into the program. In addition, your abstract will be used to promote your oral presentation or poster to conference attendees.

Key Dates

Call for Abstracts Open 1 May 2023
Call for Abstracts Close 28 May 2023
Notification to Authors 21 June 2023
Preliminary Program Launched 30 June 2023
Final Conference Program Launched 28 July 2023
ANZLAA 2023 Conference 28 - 30 August 2023

Themes

Please submit your proposal under one of the following three categories:

1. Training

We are seeking abstracts from a range of professionals to share details of ‘training’ in the field of animal care and research. 

Training and development can help employees to grow in their roles, improve their performance and develop new skills and increase job satisfaction. It can also highlight the need for increased availability to training courses, skill shortages, ongoing education, and greater access to industry resources for the future of the field and to futureproof these careers in the industry for the professionals to come.

2. Teams

What creates a successful animal team? What makes a cohesive team, and what areas are teams falling short on?

We are calling for abstracts related to how teams within animal research facilities can work effectively together. Think outside the box and include all aspects of the animal team, including animal techs, vets, awos, training and data management teams. What do you want to see within your team that leads to successful outcomes? Some examples of areas to explore are team DISC assessments, multi-department communication, well-being in the context of what enhances employee motivation, as well as well-being in the context of openness agreements and how this can contribute to an overall sense of purpose. The scope can also include specific tools and techniques that can be used to enhance certain members of the team. For example, what do vets need to succeed within the animal service team?

3. Technology

How does technology keep your facility running? A call for abstracts on the day-to-day, specialised and emerging technologies that facilitate the smooth operation of an animal facility.  Technologies can include health monitoring and healthcare advancements, data management systems, equipment and machinery and compliance regulations and policies.  This should include detail of how it improves efficiencies, animal welfare and/or promotes the 3R’s.



Deadlines

  • The submissions portal will close at midnight on Sunday 28 May 2023 (AEST)
  • Authors will be notified from Wednesday 21 June 2023. All communications about your abstract submission(s) will be sent to the email address in your profile.
  • All presenters must register and pay to attend the conference. You will need to register and pay by no later than Friday 30 June 2023
Please remember that submitting an abstract does not automatically register you as a delegate. Presenters who fail to register by the due date risk having their presentation removed from the program.



Submit an abstract

The online portal offers a text-based submission form where you will be required to enter the information regarding your abstract, such as title, authors, biography, etc. 

Submitting an abstract is a multi-step process:

  1. Ensure that you have a copy of your abstract file on hand so that you can copy/paste the information easily into the text-based submission form fields. 
  2. Your abstract is to be no more than 350 words.

STEP 1: Abstract title (max. 15 words) - The title should be as brief as possible but long enough to clearly indicate the nature of the abstract. If you wish to include a subtitle, it must be included in this field and included in the 15 word limit.

Presentation - Select your preferred type of presentation in the drop down field. Please note: that in the event your submission is accepted for a presentation, you may be allocated a different presentation format than the one you have selected during the submission process.

Presentation format: Please select one presentation format:

  • Oral presentation (15 mins)
  • Oral presentation (30 mins)
  • Oral presentation (45 mins)
  • Poster presentation

STEP 2: Themes

Submission themes: chose a theme which best describes your submission.

1. Training

We are seeking abstracts from a range of professionals to share details of ‘training’ in the field of animal care and research.

Training and development can help employees to grow in their roles, improve their performance and develop new skills and increase job satisfaction. It can also highlight the need for increased availability to training courses, skill shortages, ongoing education, and greater access to industry resources for the future of the field and to futureproof these careers in the industry for the professionals to come.

2. Teams

What creates a successful animal team? What makes a cohesive team, and what areas are teams falling short on?

We are calling for abstracts related to how teams within animal research facilities can work effectively together. Think outside the box and include all aspects of the animal team, including animal techs, vets, awos, training and data management teams. What do you want to see within your team that leads to successful outcomes? Some examples of areas to explore are team DISC assessments, multi-department communication, well-being in the context of what enhances employee motivation, as well as well-being in the context of openness agreements and how this can contribute to an overall sense of purpose. The scope can also include specific tools and techniques that can be used to enhance certain members of the team. For example, what do vets need to succeed within the animal service team?

3. Technology

How does technology keep your facility running?

A call for abstracts on the day-to-day, specialised and emerging technologies that facilitate the smooth operation of an animal facility.  Technologies can include health monitoring and healthcare advancements, data management systems, equipment and machinery and compliance regulations and policies.  This should include detail of how it improves efficiencies, animal welfare and/or promotes the 3R’s.

STEP 3: Authors & affiliations – Your details as the main contact will automatically appear as an affiliation and author. You will need to begin by checking your details are correct and ticking if you are a presenter. Once it has been completed, you can add any additional authors and affiliations. Please ensure the main author is abstract author 1 by using the arrows to move their details to the top.

*Note: Please enter the affiliation number in the corresponding box for the abstract author.

Please ensure the spelling of their names and affiliations (if applicable) is correct.

Biography (max 100. words) - Provide a biography exactly the way you would like it published on the website and conference app. Your biography is limited to 100 words and preferably written in third person.

STEP 4: Abstract (max. 350 words)

  • Enter the abstract text, by either copy/pasting from your word file or typing in the information. Click here for abstract writing tips
  • Suggested headings:
    • Background
    • Aims or objectives
    • Materials and methods
    • Results
    • Discussion
    • Conclusion
  • References are not required. If you wish to include them, they must be included in the body of your abstract and included in the 350 word count.
  • Once your submission is complete, please read your abstract in full to ensure all details are correct.
  • Do not use tables or figures.
  • Ensure your abstract is print ready i.e. If successful, the session information will appear in conference collateral as it has been submitted in the abstract. Please note that ANZLAA reserve the right to edit the copy provided.

 STEP 5: Confirm the following items for your abstract submission

Confirm the following items for your authors:

  • Conflict – If any of the author(s) have any commercial interests or associations that might pose a conflict of interest regarding this submission, please enter them.
  • Author approval - You are required to confirm that the submission has been approved by all authors.
  • Permission to publish - You are required to provide permission on behalf of all authors and affiliations associated with the abstract submission, for the abstract to appear on the conference website, app and in printed material if it is accepted for presentation.

STEP 7: Once complete you will be taken to a summary page to review all the details you have entered. If you are happy with the information, you may then click on the submit button. The next screen will confirm your submission has been received. You will be sent a confirmation email.



Submitting more than one abstract

If you are submitting more than one abstract, complete the first submission then click on ‘Abstract submission’ at the top of the screen to submit a new abstract. Please follow the same steps as above to complete the submission.

Editing an abstract

You may wish to edit your submission prior to the close date. To do so you will need to;

1. Log back into the submission portal.

2. Click on ‘My submissions’

3. On the submission you would like to edit, click on the blue ‘edit’ button.

4. Once all edits have been made, follow the prompts to submit the changes.

5. You will be sent an email confirming that your abstract has been amended.



Abstract writing tips

What is the abstract for?
The abstract is a description of the content that you will be presenting at the conference. The abstract selection committee will use it to decide whether your presentation or poster will be accepted. In addition, conference attendees will use the abstract to decide whether to attend your presentation or look at your poster.

How do I write the abstract?
  1. Read the instructions on the abstract template provided to ensure that you meet word count and layout/font requirements. 
  2. Consider your potential audience and ensure that you use clear language.
  3. Decide on what content to include - what is the main aim or objective of what you are intending to present? Does it suit the conference theme? Will you be presenting the findings of a single study or change of practice in your facility, or a compilation of studies? 
  4. Briefly explain things in a logical order - a suggested order is a brief background/context, materials and methods, results and then discussion. The main focus should be on the results (they are the most interesting part after all) with the other areas briefly covered.
  5. Pick on a clear title for your abstract topic - if it can be catchy, that is a bonus!
  6. Get some feedback from your supervisor and your colleagues to check for any errors and ensure that the abstract is easy to understand. 
  7. If your presentation will involve work/contribution from others - make sure you name them on the abstract and have their permission to present it before you submit the abstract.





This year’s conference is bought to you by our partners

Conference Sponsor

Welcome Reception Sponsor

Scholarship Sponsor




ANZLAA

C/- The Association Specialists

PO Box 576
Crows Nest, NSW 1585


P: +61 2 9431 8600
E: conference@anzlaa.org
W: www.anzlaa.org