The 12th International Penguin Conference (IPC12) invites researchers, practitioners, and conservation advocates to submit abstracts showcasing their latest work on penguin biology, conservation, and marine science. Submissions are welcome across six core themes—Advocacy and Policy, Health and Disease, Innovative Technologies, Ecology and Population Dynamics, Climate Change, and Beyond the Core Themes—covering everything from ecosystem health and cutting-edge tracking tools to policy innovation and climate impacts. Presentations may be offered as Oral Presentations, Lightning Talks with or without Posters, or Posters only, depending on the maturity and scope of the research. All accepted presenters must register for the conference (with access to early-bird rates) and will join a global community dedicated to advancing penguin conservation and marine ecosystem science.
There are three presentation formats on offer at the Conference. Based on the review, abstracts will be classified into one of the following presentation formats:
- Oral Presentation – For high-quality, mature studies with clear findings and broad interest.
- Lightning Talk + Poster – For early-stage or focused research projects that would benefit from wide exposure in both rapid and visual formats.
- Lightning Talk – For early-stage or focused research projects that would benefit from wide exposure in both rapid and visual formats without the option of having a poster.
- Poster Only – For work that is best communicated visually or benefits from in-depth, one-on-one discussion.
All authors who have their submission accepted for presentation must register and pay for their attendance, at a minimum, for the day of the Conference on which they are presenting. Accepted presenters will be given access to the early bird discounted registration rates.
The abstract is your opportunity to clearly communicate the purpose and significance of your research to a broad scientific audience. Be concise, specific, and enthusiastic — help readers understand why your work matters. Please follow the guidelines below when preparing your submission:
- Length: Maximum 200 words
- Title: Use a clear, informative title that reflects your core research message. Avoid overly broad or cryptic titles.
- Content:
- Briefly set the context — why is this work important?
- Clearly state your research question or objective.
- Describe your methods or approach but keep it concise.
- Highlight your key findings — be specific and avoid vague promises (see common pitfalls below).
- Finish with a short statement on the implications or relevance of your findings.
- Tone: Write as if you’re explaining your work to a scientist outside your specialty.
When preparing your abstract, please avoid the following common issues:
- Vague statements like “Results will be discussed” or “We explore important trends” — be specific about what you found.
- Overly technical language or jargon — write for a broad scientific audience, including those outside your immediate field.
- No straightforward research question or findings — make sure it’s obvious what you studied and what you discovered.
- Too much background or justification — keep the introduction brief and get to the core of your work quickly.
- Exceeding the word limit — keep it concise (maximum 200 words).
- Generic or ambiguous titles — choose a title that clearly reflects your key message.
As part of IPC12, the organisers are in discussion with a scientific journal about producing a special issue dedicated to penguin research. At this stage, authors are invited to indicate whether they would be interested in having their presentation considered for inclusion in such an issue. Please note that this is an expression of interest only and does not constitute a commitment. Details about the journal and the submission process will be provided once negotiations are finalised.
ABSTRACTSubmission Form
All abstract submissions will be subject to review. Authors should ensure that the following criteria are met in their abstract submission:
All submitted abstracts will be reviewed by the International Penguin Scientific Committee. All formats will be evaluated equally as part of the scientific program. We aim to ensure that each submission is assigned to the most suitable platform for its content and stage of development.
Abstracts will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Relevance to Conference Themes
- Scientific Merit and Originality
- Clarity and Structure
- Quality of Methods and Interpretation
- Stage of the Research
Abstracts must conform to the requirements as outlined:
- Abstracts must be submitted electronically via the Abstract Submission Form
- Abstracts should be no more than 200 words
- Abstracts must be submitted in the template as provided
- Authors must submit a separate abstract for each presentation
- Abstracts sent by fax or email will not be accepted
- Accepted abstracts will be available online exactly as submitted
- A biography of the presenting author must be entered at the time of submission
- Abstracts, if accepted into the program, will be published in the conference handbook/ mobile app exactly as submitted
- All presenters are required to be registered and paid to confirm their presentation slot
Terms and conditions for presenters at 12IPC
All IPC12 presenters, whether invited or accepted via the call for abstracts, must be aware of and agree to the IPC12 terms and conditions below, including the speaker registration fee, and the privacy policy.
Presenter registration
All presenters must register and pay for at least the day of the conference on which they are presenting. Presenters are entitled to register at the discounted early bird rate. Presenters must register before the early bird close deadline. After that date, sessions by unregistered presenters will be removed from the conference program.
Equity, diversity and accessibility
Presenters are responsible for ensuring their sessions acknowledge the diversity of the tertiary education sector and provide equitable access for all participants.
Copyright and re-use of presentations
Presenters are responsible for obtaining appropriate copyright permissions for all presentation materials, including data, fonts, images etc. Citations and image credits must be included where appropriate.
Filming and photography
IPC12 representative may take photos or record video while a session is in progress. The ARPS team may also take screen grabs of live streamed or pre-recorded sessions and poster presentations.