SPARC is a forum for developing research, offering a space for postgraduate researchers from all disciplines to exchange ideas. Proposals for presentations are invited which directly address the contribution and originality of the research in relation to any of the conference themes: theory, practice and impact.
Theme

In the current academic environment, researchers are increasingly expected to articulate the contribution of their research, to consider who is benefitting from it and how. As part of the UK national research assessment, universities must demonstrate the beneficial impacts that research has had on society, culture, public policy, the environment or the economy, while Research Councils require all funding applicants to consider the potential impacts of their proposed research from the outset. These contributions might take the form of advances in understanding, method, theory and application or can be understood in terms of effects on society and the economy, of benefit to individuals, organisations and nations.

The conference is open to postgraduate researchers at all stages of research. We encourage presenters to focus on their own contribution (or potential contribution) in terms of any of the following:

- advancements in theoretical understanding, for example challenging, developing or reframing debates
- enhancements to practice, for example new applications of theory; enhancement of techniques, technologies, skills
- beneficial impacts on society, economy, culture or the environment . Examples include anything from developing or improving public policy to increasing user involvement in research design; improving access to healthcare, influencing consumer behaviour or shaping environments to improve quality of life; creating new resources, bringing archival material into the public domain, or engaging new audiences with art and culture; managing the conservation of endangered ecosystems or improving business efficiency.

These examples are suggestions only, and are not intended as an exhaustive list: the conference is inclusive and the three themes are open to interpretation.

Please submit proposals, along with a 250 word abstract via the online submission form by 5pm on Monday 11 March 2013. Please refer to the conference website for more detail about the presentation formats and guidance for submitting and presenting.

For any queries, please contact the conference team at sparc@salford.ac.uk