It is a hallmark that presentations made at SMS Conferences are on the cutting edge of research. Therefore, we again are inviting proposals rather than finished, complete papers for the 2021 SMS Annual Conference.

Proposals

• Should not exceed a total of 7 pages/4000 words – 5 pages for the body which can include charts, graphs, diagrams, etc. and up to 2 pages of references
• Please use single spacing and 10 point font or larger.
• Please submit your proposal in PDF format. MS Word will also be accepted.
• The title should be entered in the submission system and listed in the header of each page. This title should not exceed 15 words.
• References are required and must be included in the submission file. 
• Must be accompanied by a 125-word abstract for inclusion in the Conference Program. This will be entered directly into the submission system, so does not need to be included on the submission document.
• Only electronic submissions of proposal(s) will be accepted. 
• If you are not the sole author of a proposal, you must list all co-authors in the submission system in the order of contribution. Authors should NOT be listed in the submission file.
• Maximum of two (2) proposals, either as an author or a co-author, may be submitted. (See Authorship below for additional information.)

Proposal for Panel Sessions

We also welcome proposals for panel sessions during the conference. Click here to learn more about this submission type.

Originality

We seek original, unpublished work to move the scholarly conversation forward. Contributions may be rooted in or derived from prior work, but the submitted proposal must reflect significant development. If your submission is similar to a previous SMS presentation, you may be asked to demonstrate the development your work has undergone. Any proposal submitted that is judged to be identical or substantially similar to work already published, presented or under review for another conference or publication, might not be considered or be subject to exclusion at any time before the conference.

Authorship

If you are not the sole author of a proposal, you must name all co-authors in the submission system. A maximum of two (2) proposals, either as an author or a co-author, may be submitted. Authors should not be omitted from a proposal they contributed to as a means to avoid the two-proposal maximum. Submissions with omitted authors may also be subject to exclusion.

Revisions

All proposals received by the deadline date are deemed as original and final. Therefore, the following will not be accepted after the deadline has expired:

• No rewrites
• No changes to authorship (order, additions, or removals)
• No changes to titles or abstracts

Before the deadline is expired, you can delete a submission you have made and resubmit it. It will be treated as a new submission, which means - if applicable - the co-authors must confirm their involvement again.

Track and Session Format

When submitting a proposal please indicate a conference track that you think is the best fit for your work. You are invited to indicate your preference for presenting in a traditional Paper Session, but please note that the review committee may change the original category at its discretion.

Blind Review Process

To preserve anonymity, author names should NOT be identified in header/footer or in the body of the proposal. Authors should be referred to in the text or notes in the third person only.

• Review Committee: All proposals will be reviewed by at least two (2) reviewers.
• Reviewers will be invited to supply review comments to authors, but these comments are not required of reviewers.

Notification of Review Status

Authors will be notified of the Program Review Committee’s decision in mid-April, 2021.  

Availability to Present

Authors who submit a proposal(s) and whose proposal is accepted by the Review Committee will be expected to register by early June, 2021 and present at any time during the conference dates of September 18-21, 2021. At least one author from each proposal will be required to register in order for the research to be included in the conference program.