SCONUL is delighted to invite proposals from our members for short papers (15 minutes) for the parallel sessions at the Summer Conference 2020 in Belfast. The deadline for proposals is Friday 28 February 2020.

This is a new initiative designed to facilitate dialogue and develop our collective understanding of important strategic issues. SCONUL is keen to include a broad range of speakers so we can share initiatives, best practice, and innovative approaches to sector challenges.

We welcome proposals from senior staff of our member institutions that provide insight into, or provokes dialogue on any aspect of the following themes:

• fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace
• developing the workforce to support the changing teaching and research environment
• new models of service provision
• maximising the adoption of new technologies to enhance the user experience
• new approaches to research support
• reshaping the publication landscape
• innovative modes of discovery and access to information resources.

This is an opportunity for you to share your research findings, innovations or other developments that have taken place at your institution or within your region that provide a unique perspective on a topic or may influence the sector.

How to submit a proposal

Your proposal should be a maximum of 500 words and include:

1. your name, role and organisation
2. theme of your proposal
3. title of your session
4. why the topic is of strategic importance to the community
5. why delegates should attend your talk and what they will get out of it.

Email your proposal to ann.rossiter@sconul,ac,uk by Friday 28 February 2020.

Benefits of taking part:

The welcoming conference audience will be leaders of higher education library and information services in the UK and Ireland, directors of national libraries and other senior figures from the UK academic library community.

Attendance at the conference provides delegates with an occasion:

1. to build on existing networks and develop new relationships
2. collectively explore common challenges and discover new initiatives
3. time for personal and professional reflection.

Presenting at the conference will provide you with an opportunity to:

1. share your work / ideas with senior colleagues and receive constructive feedback from a friendly, diverse and influential audience
2. further enhance your presentation and communications skills
3. build your professional portfolio.

Key dates for the call for short papers:

Call for proposals opens: Wednesday 15 January 2020
Call for proposals closes: Friday 28 February 2020
Notification of acceptance of proposal: Wednesday 11 March 2020.

Please note: Presenters will be expected to register and pay for their attendance at the conference.