Now accepting submissions for the 2025 Whalen Symposium

The deadline for submissions is March 6, 2025
The 2025 Whalen Abstract Submission Form is now open!

Submit your abstract by March 6, 2025 (5:00 pm EST). (Please see the Whalen schedule for additional important dates.)

If you need to edit your submission, please do not resubmit the form. Email whalen@ithaca.edu to make changes to your submission.

Submit Presentation Information and Upload Your Abstract

Elements to Include in Your Abstract

Think of your abstract as a condensed version of your final presentation. Be sure to include:

  1. Initial questions of investigation (why did you conduct the research or produce the creative work?)
  2. Brief articulation of artists, forms, theories, methods, or movements inspiring or informing the creative work (research; techniques; how those techniques are manifested in the work and research that was conducted regarding various composers, representing various cultures, etc.)
  3. How the work will be presented to the audience (if you will perform or present visual or performance art, be sure to describe the necessary space requirements).
  4. Proposed significance to the field (what is new or revelatory about your creative work?)
  5. Bibliography/list of references and works cited MUST be included if you cite any sources of information—e.g., articles, books, book chapters, websites, and personal communications. (These are not included in the abstract word limit.)
  6. Optional: Supporting materials including charts, graphs, images, choreography documentation, or musical scores are encouraged but not necessary. (These items are not included in the 500–700 word limit.)

Sample abstracts and judging rubrics are provided here to help inform your development of your abstract and presentation. Please note that abstracts should be be written in an objective, scholarly tone (i.e. not using first person).

If plan to present your research, you must submit an Abstract to Present (250–500 words).

If you plan to present your research and also want to be considered for an award, you must submit the Abstract to be Considered for an Award (500–700 words).

If you plan to present creative work (visual, media, or performing arts), you must submit the Abstract for Visual, Media, and Performing Arts. (Use the same submission form to present or to be considered for an award.)

When submitting your abstract, please save the document as a .pdf and use the following file naming convention:
Last Name_Department       | Ex.       Taylor_Computer Science.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions about Abstracts

Only one abstract per presentation is necessary. A basic abstract of 250–500 words is required to participate. Your abstract should address the five elements* described below.

The creation and production of live performance (dance, theatre, music, etc.) and works of visual and media art (musical compositions, film, photography, paintings, sculptures, costume and set designs, etc.) are valid scholarly contributions known as the “scholarship of discovery”; this is central to the education of students in the visual and performing arts. A successful abstract for a creative work proposed for inclusion in the Whalen Symposium will include:

In order for your abstract to be considered for an award, you must submit an extended abstract of 500–700 words. Sample abstracts and judging rubrics are provided to help you develop a successful abstract and presentation. Your extended abstract should address the following five elements. 

Five Elements to Include in an Abstract

1. Initial questions of investigation (Why did you create the piece?)

2. Brief articulation of artists, forms, theories, methods or movements inspiring or informing the creative work (research; techniques; how those techniques are manifested in the work and research that was conducted regarding various composers, representing various cultures, etc.)

3. How the work will be presented to the audience (if performing or presenting a piece of visual art in conjunction with your presentation, be sure to describe the necessary space requirements)

4. Proposed significance to the field (What is new or revelatory about your creative work?)

5. A bibliography/list of references and works cited (If you cited any sources of information— articles, books, book chapters, websites, and personal communications) MUST be included. These items are not included in the 500–700 word limit. It may be helpful to consider this a shorter version of your final presentation. Supporting materials including charts, graphs, images, choreography documentation, or musical scores are encouraged but not necessary. (These items are not included in the 500–700 word limit.)

Abstracts that have been submitted for awards will be approved by two separate faculty or staff abstract reviewers who have experience in a related field. The reviewers follow a rubric to rate each abstract; for reference, you may download the rubric here. Abstracts that score an average of 10 or more points will be considered for award.

Presentations that are being considered for an award will be evaluated by judges when during the symposium. Students will be judged on their presentation of their research's purpose/originality, their methods and framework, their results and conclusions, and the visual and logical organization of presentation. Once presentations have all been delivered, the judges deliberate using the presentation evaluations to determine the award winners.

Posters, oral presentations, and performances will all be presented in person. 

Posters for Whalen can be up to 60 inches long and no more than 46 inches wide.