2012 Research Conference

Click here for the conference proceedings with schedule and abstracts.

What: Rocky Mountain National Park's Biennial Research Conference

When: March 28-29, 2012 (Abstracts due February 17)

Where: Estes Park Municipal Building at 170 MacGregor Ave, Estes Park, Colorado

Registration: Registration is free. On-site registration only. No advance registration.

Presentations: Researchers may choose a 20 minute presentation and/or poster. Abstract(s) due no later than February 17.

Financial Assistance: Rocky Mountain National Park cannot provide financial assistance for travel. A limited number of rooms in park housing will be held for participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please send email to e-mail us for more information.

Information for Presenters and Posters

Guidelines
Presentations are limited to 20 minutes. Posters must be mounted on foam core.

The goal of the research conference is to encourage dialogue among researchers, park staff, and the public. If your research has management implications, include these in your talk or poster.

Presentations will be open to the public and to the media. Please keep in mind the interdisciplinary nature of the audience when preparing your abstract and presentation. Limit tables and figures. Focus on results.

Audio-Visual Details
Power Point presentations must be saved on a USB-jump drive or PC-compatible cd. Mac users please call Paul McLaughlin in advance.

We will provide an LCD projector, computer, laser pointer, and remote mouse. Presenters must run their presentations from the park computer.

Please email e-mail us if you have other audio-visual needs such as overhead projectors, speakers, or slides.

Posters must be mounted on foam core. Bring your own easel, if you have one.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

General Guidelines
Researchers may submit more than one abstract. Abstracts must be submitted electronically. The abstract author is responsible for clarity, content, spelling, and grammar. All abstracts will be published in a proceedings booklet that will be distributed at the conference.

Deadline
All abstracts must be received by February 17th to ensure consideration. We will confirm acceptance of your abstract and the time of your presentation no later than March 2st.

Submission Guidelines
Please submit the following information electronically:
1. Type of presentation (20 minute oral presentation or poster)
2. Audio-visual equipment needs
3. Name of presenter and affiliation
4. Name(s) of additional authors and affiliation(s)
5. Email address for responding author.
6. Title (presented in lowercase letters with initial letters of
keywords in capitals)
7. Abstract (maximum 300 words)
8. Key Words

Address for Submission
To submit via email: e-mail us

To submit cd via US mail:
Rocky Mountain National Park, Attn: Paul McLaughlin
1000 Highway 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Presentation Tips
We need to know the "SO WHAT? of your study" Present insights and results as opposed to raw data and methods. We know you use good scientific techniques, tell us what "light bulbs" went on for you as a result of the work and how the park can incorporate it into resource stewardship, education, and protection.

The screen is small for the size of the room; adjust your slides accordingly. Use large font and white text on dark backgrounds (best) or black text if a light background. If possible, project your presentation on a screen beforehand and test for readability. Avoid slides crammed with numbers/tiny graphs.

The audience can read, so use the slide as a base to which you can add your personal "color commentary" while directly looking at the audience. Summarize points you want to make into bullet items on the slides.

Use a guideline of 2 minutes/per slide for your presentation. Cover slides or quick photo slides can go faster. A 20 minute presentation should consist of around 10 content slides plus a cover and maybe a photo or two.

Questions?
Contact Paul McLaughlin at [phone] or email e-mail us