Format

• Title – maximum 25 words
• Author(s) — List the primary author first

The abstract should be constructed using the format listed below. Please note the formats applicable to scientific or operational research.

Maximum word count- 350

Organised Sessions

Participatory Sessions

Participatory sessions could include round table discussions, debates, ‘fishbowl’ discussions, simulations, games, or any other approach that actively encourages audience participation. It could also be the traditional panel presentation, but organizers must allow adequate time for audience discussion and interaction. The organized session template requires the following information (maximum of 350 words):

Format

• Title (maximum 25 words)
• Duration (90 minutes)
• Language (English)
• The session organiser’s contact details
• Contributors’ details: the session chair as well as a maximum of four named additional contributors, who will play active roles in the session. Include names, affiliations, why they have been selected and which topics/issues they will cover in their presentations.
• Please highlight if contributors are submitting multiple abstracts
• A 50-word overview of the organised session, that will appear in the conference program with clear description of session goals.
  

The organised session abstract requires the following information

Session description

• Explain what topics the session intends to cover and why they are important to be presented in the conference.
• Purpose of the session and the key objectives the organizers would like to achieve with this session.
• Information about how the session will be run: Format and how you plan to engage the audience, what the flow of the session will look like, who will chair and who will moderate.

Criteria for organised session review

Submissions for organised sessions will be peer-reviewed. In line with the core Conference principles, the Scientific Committee will be asked to assess organized sessions on the basis of:

1. technical/scientific merit;
2. relevance to the Conference theme and selected sub-themes;
3. rationale for selection of speakers is clear;
4. originality and innovation; and
5. potential for active involvement by the audience
6. diversity of engaged speakers (e.g. balance across gender, country-income group and/or role). Submissions with better gender and geographical balance of contributors, respecting inclusivity and diversity values of PHASA will be given preferences in the review process.

Workshops

These sessions can be 90 minute, half or full-day workshops. Participants at the Conference include researchers, implementers, students, civil society organizations, private sector, policy and decision-makers, as well as those involved in management, program delivery and advocacy; academics engaged in teaching as well as those concerned more broadly with capacity strengthening. Skills-building sessions may target one or more of these audiences. Participants at the Conference range from relative novices, to those with extensive experience in the field. We intend to build a menu of skills building sessions that are relevant to diverse audiences, though with a particular emphasis on the needs of early stage professionals.

Skill-building sessions should have clearly articulated learning objectives and an engaging, participatory format that is designed to help participants achieve these learning objectives. Using existing experience is especially welcome.

 Please follow the following submissions guidelines for skills-building sessions below:

• Title (maximum 25 words)
• Duration (90 minutes, half or full-day workshops)
• Language (English)
• Thematic area, as well as field-building dimension, including:
• Cutting-edge conceptual, empirical, and/or synthesis research;
• Innovative research approaches, methods and measures;
• Successful and/or novel strategies for developing capacity;
• Platforms and mechanisms to share and translate knowledge;
• Innovative practice in health policy and systems development and analysis.

• The session organiser’s contact details

• Contributors’ details: the session chair as well as a maximum of four named additional contributors, who will play active roles in the session
• Please highlight if contributors are submitting multiple abstracts
• A 50-word overview of the organized session, that will appear in the conference program with clear description of skill building goals and what skills participants will acquire

The skills-building session abstract requires the following information (maximum of 500 words):

• Learning objectives: Please list 1-4 learning objectives that specify what participants will be able to do by the end of the session.
• Target audience: Describe the target audience for this skills-building session. Is the target audience primarily researchers, decision-makers, people involved in advocacy, teaching faculty, or people concerned with capacity development? Is there a particular focus to the skills building session? Is any prior knowledge or training required to be able to participate effectively in the session?
• Session description, format and flow: Please provide a description of the session, explaining what material will be covered, and what approach to teaching will be employed, and how both the material and methods link to the learning objectives described above. If helpful provide a suggested agenda for the session. Please specify whether participants in the session will need to read or review any material prior to the start of the session.
• Session contributors: Please list all session speakers and/or facilitators explaining which country they come from, why they have been selected, and how they will contribute to the session. 

Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers will be asked to assess skills building session submissions on the basis of: (i) relevance of learning objectives to conference participants: (ii) appropriateness of proposed format and delivery methods to achieve learning objectives and provoke interaction among participants (iii) suitability of contributors.