Call for Presentation Proposals/Abstracts

Presentations/Proposals/Abstracts are not being accepted at this time.
Watch this page for announcements regarding the 2024 SHIFT Summit.

About SHIFT

The SHIFT Summit is a national gathering of hundreds of land managers, researchers, practitioners, funders, educators, retailers, and conservationists, along with outdoor recreation, health, military, and nature therapy professionals who share experiences, evidence, and ideas for enhancing the reciprocal relationship between humans and nature. The Summit is based on sound science combined with experiential, health, stewardship, and land management aspects to balance equitable reciprocity and access to ensure the survival of the places, flora, and fauna that we all need to exist and thrive.

Conference Theme

The 2023 SHIFT Summit theme was Integrating Nature and Preventive Health for Humans and the Environment, with a focus on collective and inclusive efforts to advance equitable access to preventive health through nature and the outdoors.

Focus Themes:

• Equitable Engagement and Diverse Impact
• Nature Immersion and Experiences
• New Findings and Trends in Integrating Nature and Preventive Health
• Conservation and Land Management
• Emerging Technologies and Economic Impacts
• Fostering and Engaging Community
• Advocacy for Nature-Derived Health Services for Individuals and Children
• Reducing Workplace Burnout and Personal Stress

Suggested Submission Categories

Research and practice presentation proposals related to issues at the intersection of outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental economics, social justice and public health are invited for submission. Proposals related to the following categories are encouraged, but it is not a requirement to address these topics.

• Equity and Impact – GP RED and the SHIFT Summit support offerings with an Equity Lens. Progress towards advancing equitable preventive health measures and community engagement through access to nature and the outdoors requires learning across many disciplines and regions, so proposals from all fields of research, practice, and types of communities are invited. Presentations could highlight successful programs, policies, and partnerships from those in practice, especially related to equity for racially and ethnically diverse populations, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and those living in lower-income urban and rural communities who are disproportionately impacted by health disparities or environmental challenges. 

• Nature Immersion and Health – Presentations could discuss the importance of nature immersion and experiential aspects and/or and share research, programs, and practices that encourage human connection to the natural world.  

• Conservation and Land Management – The SHIFT Summit was founded as a forum in which to rethink policies and practices supporting public lands. How do we build positive interactions supporting human and environmental health that build support for conservation and preservation initiatives? Presentations might address the entwined relationships, partnerships, permitting, or other aspects.   

• Advocacy for the right of children and adolescents to nature and a healthy environment – Research, experiences, public policies and programs that have produced impacts measured from evidence of the benefits of the connection between children and nature in the fields of physical and mental health and the integral development of children. 

• Other – Proposals describing research results, program evaluations, methodological or technology advances, translation of research to practice and policy, promising practices. and policy innovations on all topics related to access to nature are appropriate. 

Presentation Types

Proposals will be considered for the following presentation types:

1. Poster
Presenters will display selected posters throughout the meeting and during a reception devoted exclusively to poster viewing with no competing programming. The poster session will provide an effective mechanism for dissemination and networking. 

2. Speed Talk
Presenters selected for a live Speed Talk will deliver a brief presentation during concurrent sessions. There will be two concurrent sessions scheduled in separate rooms with four speakers and a session chair assigned to each room. Session assignments will be made based on the proposal topic and each presenter will have a total of 5 minutes for presentation. There will be a 20-minute group discussion at the conclusion of the session. 

3. Roundtable Discussion Panel
Roundtable discussion panels are designed to frame a topic and should include 2 – 4 subject-matter experts. Panelists should begin with a 5 – 10 minute presentation about how their work addresses the topic. At the conclusion of the presentations, panelists and audience members will break into small groups that employ the World Café format to facilitate dynamic interaction and networking as we crowdsource solutions to challenges identified during the panel. Authors proposing a roundtable discussion panel should include the names and brief bios for panelists.  

You will be asked to select a preferred presentation type in the online submission system. There will also be an option to indicate if you would like to be considered as a roundtable discussion panelist if your proposal for a poster or lightning talk aligns with a roundtable topic and if space is available on the panel. A selection committee will decide what presentation type each proposal will be invited for based on reviewer scores/recommendations.

We are pleased to announce that continuing education units (CEUs) will be offered for select sessions. Authors proposing a roundtable discussion panel will be asked to provide a brief session outline in addition to the proposal. Details can be found in the online submission system.

Submission Guidelines

• All applicants will use the same link to access the online submission system.
• All proposals are required to use the following headings: Background and Purpose, Learning Objectives, Description/Methods, Outcome/Results, Conclusions and Implications, References (if applicable), and Support/Funding Source (if applicable).
• Proposals must use the template in the online system and follow the format instructions.
• The maximum proposal length is one single-spaced page. Do not change the font (Calibri, 11point) or margins (1 inch) of the template.
• There is no limit on the number of proposals an author may submit.
• At least one author must register for the conference and attend in person to present an accepted proposal.
• The room will be equipped with a computer, projector, screen, podium, and microphone. We will do our best to support any other audio-visual needs, which can be requested when you submit your proposal.
• The deadline for roundtable discussion panel and speed talk proposals is 11:59 pm PDT on Friday, June 30, 2023. Late-breaking poster proposals will be accepted until 11:59 pm PDT on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.

Review Process

Proposals will undergo blind peer-review by a committee from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. Selection for presentation is based on the quality of the research or project, clarity of the proposal, relevance, and adherence to the guidelines. Presentation type will be determined by review score and reviewer recommendation.  

Decisions regarding acceptance will be made by mid-August and the submitting author will be notified via email. Expenses associated with the submission, preparation, and presentation of the proposal are the responsibility of the presenters. If you have questions prior to the submission deadline concerning your presentation proposal, please contact Amanda Walker at amandaw@gpred.org.  

For revisions or queries regarding proposals already submitted
If you do not receive acknowledgement for your proposal submission or you wish to make any essential revisions to a proposal already submitted, please DO NOT RESUBMIT your proposal, as this may lead to duplication. Please email Amanda with details of any revisions or queries. Please quote your reference number if you have one.  

Support the Summit

Participating as a SHIFT Sponsor or Exhibitor will enable you and your business or organization to showcase your brand and interact with attendees, both in person and virtually.  Click Here to download the 2023 Sponsor Information Flyer.

Thank You To Our 2023 Sponsors

Thank you to our local hosts, Bend Park & Recreation District and Central Oregon Community College,
our GP RED Organizational Sponsor, BerryDunn, and all other Sponsors and Exhibitors!