The abstract submission process is now open for SPNHC 2025, to be held May 27-31 in Lawrence, KS and hosted by the Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas.  More details about the meeting can be found here: https://spnhc2025.ku.edu/. We have had an overwhelming response to our call for symposia/sessions with a diverse array of subjects pertaining to natural history collections proposed.  The full list can be viewed on the website here: https://spnhc2025.ku.edu/sessions.

At this time, we invite you to submit abstracts for oral presentations (15 min.), lightning talks (5 min.), and poster presentations. Content may be presented in-person or pre-recorded. We are working on providing the technology to support remote participation for presenters.

Abstract submission will once again be handled through the Oxford Abstracts (OA) platform.  

What you need to know

• See the 2025 Submission Guidelines for OA Abstracts: https://spnhc2025.ku.edu/oa-abstract-submission-guidelines. Please read the guidelines thoroughly before beginning your abstract submission and reach out with any questions.
• Examine the list of sessions (https://spnhc2025.ku.edu/sessions) to see which are open to outside abstract submissions and may fit your topic.
• You will be asked to choose a session after you submit your form.
• To submit to a CLOSED session, you must have prior consent of the session’s organizers (listed on the list of sessions).
• If none of the sessions seem to fit your topic, submit it in a contributed session or as a poster.
• Not all submissions for oral presentations may be accepted due to limited capacity. In some cases, presenters may be asked to present a poster.
• When you are ready to start your abstract, follow the Submission Guidelines. We recommend compiling your title, authors, author affiliations, and abstract offline, before starting your submission online.  Your submission can be edited at a later date (before the deadline) as long as you click submit before exiting.
• Submitting authors will be contacted by email through OA (SPNHC 2025 <no-reply@oxfordabstracts.com>) for provisional acceptance of their abstracts (inclusion in the program is subject to payment of the conference registration fee by the presenter).
• By participating in SPNHC 2025, you agree to abide by the Code of Conduct: https://spnhc2025.ku.edu/codeofconduct

Please send additional questions about abstracts to spnhc2025@ku.edu.

• Key dates
• Submission deadline: 3 March 2025
• Review begins: 4 March 2025
• Review ends: 17 March 2025
• Notification to submitter: 24 March 2025
• Registration deadline for authors: to be announced

Given this aggressive timeline we would encourage you to get your abstracts in as soon as possible to secure your spot and allow for comprehensive review.

Looking forward to hosting you in May at the Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas.

Andrew Bentley

On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee