Call for abstracts 

Showcase your research to your colleagues. Selected presenters will have a fantastic opportunity to present their work at our conference. Please read the guidelines carefully and submit before the deadline. We encourage you to discuss your roster arrangements with your supervisor/employer as soon as possible, to ensure your attendance.


Who can submit an abstract?
This is an opportunity for our RANZCOG trainees to gain their research points. We also welcome research submissions from our wider community of Fellows and practitioners.


Presentation formats
You can choose whether you would like your abstract to be considered for a preferred format, or if either format (oral or poster) is acceptable.

Oral presentations:
We will have approximately 6 oral presentation slots available in the programme (on 10 and 11 June at the Dunedin Centre). The successful abstracts will be selected by a panel convened for this ASM. An oral presentation includes 10 minutes of content delivery followed by 5 minutes of QnA with the audience. Strict time limits will apply. Particular attention should be paid to keeping PowerPoint presentations short, concise and relevant. 

A0 poster presentations:
Other abstracts will be considered for poster/e-poster presentations. A0 posters will be used at the venue (separate instructions for this will be sent after the closing date). Poster printing is the presenter’s responsibility. 


Abstract format

Short biography: All submissions must be accompanied by biographical information about the presenting author (maximum of 80 words). Biographical details will be used by the session chair for introduction purposes and will also be published on the website and conference app.

Abstract: A maximum of 250 words (excluding title, headings, references and biography) will be accepted. Your abstract should be structured to include:

Background:A brief description of the reason for the study including a short summary of prior knowledge on the topic.
Objective:State the primary objective of the paper and the major hypothesis tested or research question posed.
Design:Describe the design of the study and the rationale for the procedures adopted. 
Method:Describe how participants were selected and the number of participants (if documentary data used, state how these were selected), materials employed (if appropriate), methods of data collection and analysis.
Results:Include numerical and/or textual data. This should be kept to a minimum and should not include tables or figures. For qualitative analyses briefly describe your findings (e.g. identified themes, categories).
Conclusions:
State the conclusions that can be drawn from the study (including for future research, practice, policy and/or theory).

Specifications

  • Please indicate whether the submission is for oral or poster presentation, or if either format is acceptable.
  • All abstracts must be written in English and thoroughly checked for spelling and grammar before submission.
  • Each abstract must be prepared in Microsoft Word. No other formats will be accepted.
  • Use single spacing to separate the title, authors' names and affiliations, followed by the text.
  • The title of the abstract should be written in sentence case i.e. initial capital letter, followed by lower case.
  • List author/s and affiliations/s, including professional affiliations separated by commas. We also invite you to list your iwi affiliations.
  • Author/s and affiliation/s to be linked by a superscript number.
  • Please refrain from using printed enhancements such as italics, underlining, bold text etc. Italics may be used for non-English words or scientific names where necessary.
  • Please note abstracts may be re-formatted and/or edited for publication in the programme handbook

Criteria

  • Your paper must not have been presented to any other scientific body before this ASM.
  • You are the first author of the submitted paper 
  • You are able to present the work in person (either oral or poster) if selected.
  • RANZCOG are committed to meeting our obligations as partners in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Our commitment is that all ASM programme content will include a focus on health outcomes for Māori and/or a te ao Māori lens on health/hauora. Can you please give one or both of these areas consideration when planning your presentation content.  
  • Please make sure that your presentation addresses our theme for this year Mō ngā hapori | For the communities
  • Abstracts should be submitted by the presenting author. 
  • Only one author per abstract may be nominated as the presenter.
  • Submission of abstracts implies the authors' agreement to publish the abstract in the ASM programme handbook / conference app.
  • Accepted presenters must register for the ASM and pay the appropriate registration fee by the below deadlines. Abstracts will be withdrawn if registration is not paid by this date.

Key Dates

  • October 2024: Abstract submissions open.
  • Friday 21 February, 2025: Deadline for receipt of abstracts and biographical details for both oral and poster presentations.
  • Monday 17 March, 2025: Abstract authors are notified of the outcome.
  • Friday 31 March, 2025: Participation confirmed by authors in writing to NZ office. This applies to both oral and poster presenters.
  • Friday 11 April, 2025: Participating authors must register by this date.


Questions?

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Laura Collins, Events Lead (lcollins@ranzcog.org.nz / tel: +64 4 472 4608). All communications about your abstract submission will be sent to the email address you have provided. 


Ready to submit?

Please download this abstract submission form. Complete and return to lcollins@ranzcog.org.nz. Final date for submission 21 February, 2025.

Harvey Carey Memorial Prize

The Harvey Carey Memorial Prize was established in recognition of the contribution made to the specialty of obstetrics and gynaecology in New Zealand (NZ) by the Foundation Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at National Women’s Hospital, Auckland. 

The prize of NZD $1,000 is awarded for the best original research paper presented orally at the RANZCOG ASM. Candidates must be either current RANZCOG trainees in Aotearoa New Zealand or working in Aotearoa New Zealand within the equivalent of five full-time years of their elevation to Fellowship.

Best Poster Prizes

For this Aotearoa New Zealand ASM, the Organising Committee will award to the best poster presentation. This is accompanied by a NZD $300 prize. Criteria considered are: layout, clear and concise brief of the research overview and good communication by the author in person with the judging panel. Poster presentations will only be eligible for this prize if the poster author is available to interact with the judging panel at the allocated poster presentation time. 

There will also be a People's Choice Prize of NZD $200 voted for by ASM attendees.