Abstract Submission

Delegates are encouraged to submit an abstract to be considered for an oral or poster presentation.  

We have limited poster exhibition/programme space, and expect the process to be competitive. Preference will be given to new unpublished, or recently published, work. Each presenting author is limited to one abstract submission. Should an abstract be selected for inclusion and the presenting author is not yet registered. They will need to register before their inclusion in the programme is confirmed. 

  • The deadline for oral presentations and travel grants is 14 June 2024
  • The deadline for a poster presentation is 22 July 2024

Abstract guidelines

Use the the submission form to send us your abstract

  • All abstract sections should be provided in English
  • Author names should all follow the same format, either in UPPERCASE First and middle names denoted by initials followed by last names in full, or names in full capitalising the first letters  
  • The main test should provide concise details of the background and objective(s) of the investigation, methods used, results and conclusion
  • Abstracts should be no more than 200 words

When submitting your abstract in addition to adding the details within the submission form, please have your abstract saved as a word document with the following formatting:

  • Single spacing, Arial font, 12 point
  • First line: Title in bold sentence case
  • Second line: the author(s)' name(s). Underline the name of the author presenting the work. 
  • Third line: Full address of the lead author’s institution in Italics
  • Leave a single line space after the address
  • Main text:  (200 words max)
  • Saved as a Microsoft Word .docx document to upload with your submission

Example abstract:

All abstracts should be submited in English:

The origin of Helianthus deserticola : survival and selection in a desert habitat
B. L. GROSS , N. C. KANE, C. LEXER, L. H. RIESEBERG
Department of Biology, Indiana University, Jordan Hall 142, 1001 East Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA


The diploid hybrid species Helianthus deserticola inhabits an extreme environment relative to its parental species H. annuus and H. petiolaris . Adaptation to the arid desert floor may have occurred via the acquisition of novel phenotypes resulting from transgressive segregation in early hybrids. We have explored this possibility through a field experiment designed to test the direction and intensity of phenotypic selection, using crosses between the parental species as proxies for the ancestral genotype of the ancient hybrid species. Helianthus deserticola , H. annuus , H. petiolaris , and early-generation hybrids between H. annuus and H. petiolaris were all grown in native H. deserticola habitat, and a selection analysis revealed that several traits were subject to strong selective pressures. Several of the traits under selection were also extreme or transgressive in H. deserticola , and the range of variation present in BC2 hybrids suggests that many aspects of the H. deserticola phenotype are easily recreated. Thus, transgressive segregation may have contributed to the adaptation of H. deserticola to the desert habitat.

Alternative format for author names: 

Briana L. Gross, Nolan C. Kane, Christian Lexer, Loren H. Rieseberg


Abstract submission

The presenting author should complete this form to submit an abstract.

If you do not already have an account,  you will need to create one allowing you to save a draft of your abstract before submitting the final version.

If applying for a travel grant, you can add details at the end of the form.

Tip - make sure you have scrolled to the bottom of the page and clicked the ‘Complete’ button to submit the form.

Travel grants

We have a limited number of travel grants available. To apply for a travel grant, you must also submit an abstract for consideration. Preference will be given to individuals in the early stages of their career.  See the FAQs for some common questions about travel grants. 

The deadline for travel grant applications is 14 June 2024.  

To apply for a travel grant, in addition to your abstract you should submit

  • A brief (no more than 200-word) statement indicating your reasons for wishing to attend and how you hope the meeting will enhance your career/research
  • A CV, which includes academic details, publication history, presentations given, awards and any other information to support your application
  • A supporting letter from a scientist who has agreed to act as a referee for your application, this can also be emailed directly to np-symposia@lancaster.ac.uk. 

Decisions will be communicated in July 2024.