NEWS and upcoming events

The 2023 SCTWS EXPO is being held Friday Feb 3rd and Saturday 4th in Saskatoon!   

The agenda for the 2023 SCTWS EXPO can be accessed here.

Sign up to do a presentation or poster by following this link; https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduOcpOQaUKlBvZetymKJxL7l1Y55mChwVOVTqmTf8QdgbsyA/viewform?usp=sf_link  

and check out the guidelines below.

Email sasktws@gmail.com to register.

The Saskatchewan Chapter of The Wildlife Society is holding its Conservation Expo and AGM on February 3-4, 2023 at the Graduate Students Association Commons, University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Students and conservation professionals from academia, government and industry are invited to meet, interact, and share information about research and current initiatives. This year’s event will focus on showcasing student research and will feature full presentations, lightning talks, poster presentations, a mentorship event, trivia contest and networking opportunities.

Oral presentations and posters are invited from students and conservation professionals. In keeping with the theme of this year’s Expo, presentations from students are encouraged and will be given priority on the agenda.

Presentation Types:

Lightning talks – A three-minute presentation (3-4 slides) that focuses on key findings from research or programs. Each Lightning Talk will be delivered as part of a five-talk, 15-minute session that will conclude with a five-minute Q&A with session presenters. Lightning talks are well suited to early-stage student research projects or to provide updates on ongoing conservation initiatives.

Full presentations – These are 10-12-minute talks, with three minutes for questions, showcasing research, wildlife science or policy topics. The goal of longer talks is to provide more in-depth information on a topic. Limited time will be available on the agenda for full presentations.

Poster presentations – Non-technical posters will be the centre of conversation at our networking session on February 3ʳᵈ. This is a great opportunity to chat one-on-one with colleagues about your work. Posters will be displayed over the entire Expo and there will be opportunity to have attendees meet you at your poster during the Friday networking session and over coffee and lunch 

breaks during the entire Expo.

Instructions for Submitting Presentations

The deadline for submissions is 17:00 CST on January 25, 2023. If you have 

questions, please contact sasktws@gmail.com.

All presenters are expected to register, attend and pay the appropriate event fee. This is an in-person event and no provision will be made for virtual (online) presentations.

A Lightning Talk is a three-minute presentation that focuses on key findings from research or a program.

What Topics or Ideas can be presented?

All topics related to fish, wildlife, habitat, and conservation are welcome! Lightning talks are especially well suited to early-stage student research projects and to provide updates on ongoing research or conservation initiatives. In keeping with the theme of this year’s Expo, presentations from students are encouraged and will be given priority on the agenda.

How will Lightning Talks be facilitated?

Lightning Talks will be limited to three minutes of presentation time, maximum 3-4 slides. Each Lightning Talk will be delivered as part of a five-talk, 15-minute session that will conclude with a five-minute Q&A.

A moderator will ensure presentations run effectively and efficiently. This person will be responsible for moderating time limits, and leading transitions between Lightning Talks. The facilitator will also manage questions during the Q&A at the end of each 15-minute lightning talk session.

How to Apply to Present a Lightning Talk?

Visit our website at https://sktws.com/ and complete and submit the Google form application listing your presentation title, the presenter’s name and affiliation, and a 2-3 sentence summary of your talk. The deadline for submissions is 17:00 CST on January 25, 2023. If you have questions, please contact sasktws@gmail.com.

What happens if I am accepted?

You will receive notification from the Chapter requesting that you prepare and submit:

• A maximum 3-4 slide PowerPoint to present during the Lightning Talk.

• Two questions and answers based on your talk that can be used during our Friday trivia night.

This will be a live in-person event. You will be required to attend your Lightning Talk session and be available to answer questions during the Q&A. All presenters are expected to register and pay the appropriate event registration fee.

What are Some Good Resources for Lightning Talks?

• Watch this 3-minute U of R thesis presentation by former SCTWS Executive Adam Sprott to see how effective a 3-minute presentation can be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vs70aI09c0

• Review these guidelines for making short and effective presentations: https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005373

• Review these guidelines to ensure presentations can be viewed by Lightning Talk attendees with varying colour vision abilities: https://www.brightcarbon.com/blog/optimising-presentations-for-people-with-colour-blindness/

What Topics or Ideas can be presented?

All topics related to fish, wildlife, habitat, and conservation are welcome! Posters are well suited to projects and initiatives where presenters are seeking input or feedback from attendees, or to showcase ongoing research or conservation initiatives. In keeping with the theme of this year’s Expo, oral presentations from students are being given priority on the agenda. Posters provide a good opportunity for non-students to showcase their work.

How will Posters be featured at the Expo?

Posters will be the centre piece of our networking session on February 3rd, and will be displayed over the entire event. There will be opportunity to have attendees meet you at your poster over coffee and lunch breaks too. At minimum, you will be expected to attend your poster during the networking session from approximately 4-6 pm on Friday February 3, 2023. All presenters are expected to register and pay the appropriate event registration fee.

Guidelines:

A poster is a visual abstract of your work. You’re encouraged to bring a non-technical snapshot emphasizing management implications and “big picture” inferences. Conference sized 3x4 posters are suggested. Use illustrations, figures, graphs, or photographs to tell the story with a minimum of text. Please be sure to include your name, agency affiliation and contact info on your poster to ensure others who learn about your work at the event can follow up with questions.

How to Apply:

Visit our website at https://sktws.com/ and complete and submit the Google form application listing your poster title, the presenter’s name and affiliation, and a 2-3 sentence summary of your topic. The deadline for submissions is 17:00 CST on January 25, 2023. If you have questions, please contact sasktws@gmail.com.

Resources:

Check out A Graphic Design Revolution For Scientific Conference Posters Read Effective poster presentations - The Wildlife Society

Free PowerPoint poster templates are available online at sites like this: http://www.studentposters.co.uk/templates.html.

Saskatchewan Chapter of The Wildlife Society

“Fostering excellence in wildlife stewardship through science and education among wildlife professionals in Canada”