Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the Conference
Q: Is the San Francisco Estuary Partnership planning a conference for 2025 or 2026 as there was a conference in 2024?
A: Usually, we hold a conference every two years, we postponed the 2023 conference to 2024. We are now returning to our usual schedule with our next conference occurring this year on October 28-29, 2025.
Q: Where will the 2025 conference be held?
A: The Oakland Scottish Rite on Lake Merritt.
Questions about Abstract Submissions
Q: Is it too late to submit a panel for the conference?
A: It is not too late to submit a panel for the conference. You have until July 3, 2025, to submit any proposals.
Q: Which abstracts are due on 7/3? Is it just abstracts for proposed sessions or is it those as well as the presentation abstracts?
A: Yes, thank you for asking. All abstracts are due on July 3rd. We look forward to receiving your submission.
Q: This “learn more” box isn’t working for me. Are submissions open?
A: If this happens to you, feel free to contact us at soeconferencecomms@gmail.com. But first, try refreshing your browser and try again to open the “learn more” button which should take you to the SFEP conference abstracts page: https://www.sfestuary.org/2025-abstracts/.
Q: I’m unable to paste in my abstract – there isn’t a field to click into, yet the system does know that I haven’t filled in the abstract part. What should I do?
A: First, try refreshing your page and/or log out. Once you log-in again you should be able to access the field. If that doesn’t work, please contact us at: soeconferencecomms@gmail.com.
Q: In years past you have welcomed artwork as a part of the conference. Will that be true for the upcoming session? If so, what type of artwork will be accepted?
A: This year we opened up a new “Special Session” category this year whereas we welcome non-traditional abstracts. Therefore, we do not have any special parameters or constraints around art display, we are open to new ideas and suggestions. We look forward to your submission.
Q: I am submitting an abstract for the first time. Do you have any example of an abstract or a list of the information to be included in the abstract for reference?
A: Here is some guidance we hope can guide your submission:
An abstract typically includes a brief introduction to the topic, the research question or problem, the methods used, a summary of the key findings, and the conclusions or implications of the research. It’s a concise summary of your work, usually around 150-250 words, designed to give readers a quick overview of your paper.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what’s typically included:
Introduction/Context:
- Briefly introduce the topic and its relevance.
- Provide background information to set the stage for your research.
Problem/Research Question:
- State the central question or problem your research addresses.
- Explain the significance or gap in the research that your work aims to fill.
Methodology:
- Describe the methods used to conduct your research.
- This may include the data collection techniques, experimental design, or analytical approaches.
Key Findings:
- Summarize the most important findings or results of your research.
- Highlight any key trends or patterns that emerged from your data.
Conclusion/Implications:
- State the conclusions drawn from your research.
- Discuss the implications of your findings for the field or future research.
Q: I am signed onto Catalyst and cannot see the section where we would upload our 300-word abstract. Will we be uploading an abstract or do posters just need to fill out the session and author prompts?
A: Thank you for your interest in submitting your abstract. The only way to submit your proposal details is to copy and paste your text into the box. We are not accepting visuals or attachments. You will only be able to submit your abstract text. Additionally, you will need to fill out all required session and author prompts.