We believe ‘creative abstracts’ can be an antidote to mundane abstracts. A creative abstract has a similar objective to a scientific abstract in that the purpose is to draw potential readers to the research.

However, the creative abstract should not simply duplicate the scientific abstract by highlighting methods and key results in a different format, as is common with graphical or visual abstracts.

We invite our Industrial Ecology research community to challenge themselves to spark interest in their research and make their results more accessible by producing a creative abstract in a text, image, video, audio, or a physical work.

As creative abstracts are an emerging science communication tool, our only guidelines are:

1. Abstracts should not duplicate a scientific abstract or visual abstract
2. Abstracts should be effective science communication tools

You might have seen something that could be a ‘creative abstract’ during a poster session (maybe a comic style visual), on social media (a particularly good Instagram post or TikTok clip), or at the beginning of a scientific presentation (a snappy ‘hook’ that illustrated the main concept).

1. Eligibility: 

• Entrants must be registered presenters of the ISIE 2023 conference

2. Theme: 

• The entry must be directly related to the entrant's research being presented at ISIE.

3. Entry Types: 

• The entry can be in the form of text, image, video, audio, or a physical work.
• The entry should be developed for a maximum of two-three minutes of engagement.

4. Submission: 

• Entrants must submit their entry through the digital submission system provided by the competition (physical entries can be depicted in a video or a series of photos).
• Entrants must include their scientific ISIE abstract in their submission.
• Entries must be submitted before the competition deadline.

5. Assessment Criteria: 

• Entries will be assessed on creativity, innovation, relevance to the scientific abstract and the quality of the submission.
• The judging panel's decision is final, as is that of the popular vote.

6. Intellectual Property: 

• Entrants must hold the copyright for their entries.
• Entrants retain all rights to their entry.
• By submitting an entry, entrants grant permission to the competition organizers to use and reproduce the entry in any media related to the competition, including but not limited to the conference website, social media, and print materials.

7. Winner Selection: 

• The shortlist will be selected by the judging panel based on the assessment criteria.
• The winners will be selected from the shortlist by popular vote of ISIE attendees through an online voting system.
• Winners will be announced during the closing ceremony at the conference.

8. Prizes: 

• Prize details will be announced closer to the competition deadline.

By following these guidelines and rules, entrants can ensure their entry meets the competition requirements and is assessed fairly.  

• Creativity: The extent to which the entry showcases original and innovative thinking.
• Relevance: Thematic connection to the abstract of the author, without being duplicative.
• Quality of the submission: The overall quality of the entry, including design, sensory appeal, and production quality.
• Inclusion: Whether the abstract makes an effort to reach a different audience outside of the scientific community.

• Eligible entries will be shortlisted by an independent selection committee (contact us if you would like to join)
• Winners will be elected during the conference through an online voting system open to all ISIE attendees