ABSTRACT REVIEWERS
Abstract reviewer sign-up is now closed! Thank you to our over 200 esteemed reviewers who volunteered to assess the abstracts.
Abstract reviewers play a vital role in supporting the SMM and elevating the quality of science presented at SMM2024; however, other benefits include supporting the activities of your area of interest and helping your career development by placing this important duty on your CV.
The abstract reviewer sign-up will open Tuesday, February 6, 2024 and close Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Instructions for abstract reviewers will be sent out after the abstract submission deadline.
INFORMATION FOR REVIEWERS
ABSTRACT REVIEWING AT-A-GLANCE
1) Abstract reviewer sign-up opens Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
2) You must login to the conference system via the SMM website. Click HERE to get started.
3) Once on the conference software profile home, choose “Abstract Reviewer Sign-Up” on the home page.
4) Complete the short application. Remember that in order to participate as an abstract reviewer, you must hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree in your discipline or, at a minimum, an undergraduate degree + either 5 years of experience in your field or + be a candidate studying toward your doctoral degree.
5) After completing the form, a receipt of your application will be emailed to you.
6) The abstract reviewer sign-up deadline is March 26, 2024 at 12 PM (noon), Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) (GMT+8).
7) The scientific program committee will contact all reviewers shortly after the deadline with more information about next steps.
8) All abstract reviews must be completed before May1, 2024.
DEADLINES AND IMPORTANT DATES
Abstract submission and reviewer sign-up opens Tuesday, February 6, 2024 and closed March 26, 2024 at 12 PM (noon), Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) (GMT+8). The abstract reviewer sign-up form is available on the profile home page of the conference software.
Abstract reviewers will be contacted shortly after the submission deadline with more information. All reviews MUST be completed by end of day May 1st.
REQUIREMENTS
We are kindly requesting abstract reviewers for the presentations and posters submitted to this year’s biennial conference. To participate as an abstract reviewer, you must hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree in your discipline or, at a minimum, an undergraduate degree + either 5 years of experience in your field or + be a candidate studying toward your doctoral degree.
Abstract reviewers are required to review a minimum of 10 abstracts, but if you are willing to review more, we will be most grateful if you would indicate this on the sign-up form.
REVIEW PROCESS
Each submitted abstract will be peer reviewed and scored by a minimum of two independent reviewers who have expertise in the specific subject area. The abstract review process will be conducted blind, i.e. all authors’ names will be removed before the abstract is reviewed.
Reviewers apply the following four criteria to evaluate abstract submissions:
- Originality (1 to 5)
Abstracts containing significant new findings or presenting new approaches will be given higher scores than those that describe updates, modifications to older findings, or routine applications of well-established research methods. - Quality (1 to 5)
Abstracts should demonstrate that robust and appropriate research methods were used, and include a scientifically robust study design. The outcome of the research should provide clear answers to the main research questions posed. The methods and results should be described in sufficient detail and the conclusions supported by the data. - Importance (1 to 5)
This criterion addresses the importance of the research in terms of advancing the field of marine mammal science, or the conservation and management of marine mammals. - Presentation (1 to 5)
Abstracts that are clearly written and concise will receive higher scores. This criterion addresses how well the specific research question(s) and objectives, methods used, primary results, etc are explained, rather than the quality of the study itself. A clearly written abstract follows a logical order (e.g. aims, methods, results, followed by a clear interpretation of the results and any conservation management implications).
After adjusting for differences in scoring among individual reviewers, abstracts will be ranked on the basis of their overall score, and available slots for presentations will be allocated according to merit using all submissions combined, taking into account presentation preferences.
CONFERENCE TOPICS
You will need to identify a topic(s) for reviewing abstracts. Each topic is accompanied by a brief description to help you decide which is most relevant for your expertise. There are 11 major topics from which to choose from.
Research pertaining to the study of the form, function and structure of marine mammals and their features, including aspects of outward appearance.
Studies of marine mammal behavior as an evolutionarily adaptive trait or in the context of anthropogenic influencesand research that focuses on culture in marine mammals. This may include studies closely tied to evolutionary biology, animal behavior, cognition, and psychology.
Research on climate change effects on marine mammal populations, species and their habitats. Studies may relate to movements, vital rates, polar ecology, or changes in metocean conditions and physical habitat alteration.
Research on the status, conservation, and management of marine mammals, their habitats and ecosystems. Research pertaining to non-fishery related management, law andpolicy, industrial activity and impact assessments can be submitted under this topic.
A broad topic of empirical and applied research in all areas of marine mammal ecology and evolution. Studies relating to population biology (e.g., studies on population abundance, demographics, and genetic structure) and interactions between populations and their environment(e.g., habitat and distribution, trophic interactions), as well genetics, genomics and eDNA should be submitted under this category.
Research relating to direct and indirect marine mammal interactions with large- and small-scale (commercial, recreational, or artisanal) fisheries. This topic may include studies on behavior and welfare, social, economic, institutional, and cultural issues, management applications, legislative and policy frameworks, and fisheries technology.
Research relating to animal welfare and health of both wild and captive animals. This may include studies investigating unusual mortality events, live strandings, disease transmission and toxicology. Additionally, we encourage submissions on standard operating procedures on health assessments and incident responses that ensure good animal welfare outcomes.
One of our new abstract submission and conference session categories for unexpected or unprecedented, interesting events relating to marine mammals. Surprise us!
Another new abstract submission category that encourages submissions of innovative science that has been conducted on a low budget. The topic of the research can fall into any of the other abstract submission categories.
Research that describes, explains, or predicts human behavior in relation to marine mammals. Studies in this topic may relate to social, cultural and economic value placed on marine mammals. Abstracts relating to outreach, education and citizen science should be submitted in this category.
If you feel your research does not fit into any of the broadly defined major topics, you can use this option to submit your abstract.
HOW TO ACCESS YOUR REVIEWS
All conference abstracts will be completed within the conference software. More information will be sent to reviewers on how to access the review site and complete their reviews after the submission deadline.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The abstract review process is blind; however, if it becomes apparent that you have a conflict of interest with regards to any assigned abstract, we ask that you abstain from reviewing that particular submission. There is an option to indicate the conflict at the top of the review form. If you abstain from reviewing a submission, you DO NOT need to contact us. We will be notified and will re-assigned the abstract review to another reviewer.
ABSTRACT REVIEWING
AT-A-GLANCE
1) Abstract reviewer sign-up opens Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
2) You must login to the conference system via the SMM website. Click HERE to get started.
3) Once on the conference software profile home, choose “Abstract Reviewer Sign-Up” on the home page.
4) Complete the short application. Remember that in order to participate as an abstract reviewer, you must hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree in your discipline or, at a minimum, an undergraduate degree + either 5 years of experience in your field or + be a candidate studying toward your doctoral degree.
5) After completing the form, a receipt of your application will be emailed to you.
6) The abstract reviewer sign-up deadline is March 26, 2024 at 12 PM (noon), Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) (GMT+8).
7) The scientific program committee will contact all reviewers shortly after the deadline with more information about next steps.
8) All abstract reviews must be completed before May 1, 2024.
DEADLINES AND IMPORTANT DATES
Abstract submission and reviewer sign-up opens Tuesday, February 6, 2024 and closed March 26, 2024 at 12 PM (noon), Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) (GMT+8).
Abstract reviewers will be contacted shortly after the submission deadline with more information. All reviews MUST be completed by end of day May 1st.
REQUIREMENTS
We are kindly requesting abstract reviewers for the presentations and posters submitted to this year’s biennial conference. To participate as an abstract reviewer, you must hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree in your discipline or, at a minimum, an undergraduate degree + either 5 years of experience in your field or + be a candidate studying toward your doctoral degree.
Abstract reviewers are required to review a minimum of 10 abstracts, but if you are willing to review more, we will be most grateful if you would indicate this on the sign-up form.
REVIEW PROCESS
Each submitted abstract will be peer reviewed and scored by a minimum of two independent reviewers who have expertise in the specific subject area. The abstract review process will be conducted blind, i.e. all authors’ names will be removed before the abstract is reviewed.
Reviewers apply the following four criteria to evaluate abstract submissions:
- Originality (1 to 5)
Abstracts containing significant new findings or presenting new approaches will be given higher scores than those that describe updates, modifications to older findings, or routine applications of well-established research methods. - Quality (1 to 5)
Abstracts should demonstrate that robust and appropriate research methods were used, and include a scientifically robust study design. The outcome of the research should provide clear answers to the main research questions posed. The methods and results should be described in sufficient detail and the conclusions supported by the data. - Importance (1 to 5)
This criterion addresses the importance of the research in terms of advancing the field of marine mammal science, or the conservation and management of marine mammals. - Presentation (1 to 5)
Abstracts that are clearly written and concise will receive higher scores. This criterion addresses how well the specific research question(s) and objectives, methods used, primary results, etc are explained, rather than the quality of the study itself. A clearly written abstract follows a logical order (e.g. aims, methods, results, followed by a clear interpretation of the results and any conservation management implications).
After adjusting for differences in scoring among individual reviewers, abstracts will be ranked on the basis of their overall score, and available slots for presentations will be allocated according to merit using all submissions combined, taking into account presentation preferences.
CONFERENCE TOPICS
You will need to identify a topic(s) for reviewing abstracts. Each topic is accompanied by a brief description to help you decide which is most relevant for your expertise. There are 11 major topics from which to choose from.
Research pertaining to the study of the form, function and structure of marine mammals and their features, including aspects of outward appearance.
Studies of marine mammal behavior as an evolutionarily adaptive trait or in the context of anthropogenic influencesand research that focuses on culture in marine mammals. This may include studies closely tied to evolutionary biology, animal behavior, cognition, and psychology.
Research on climate change effects on marine mammal populations, species and their habitats. Studies may relate to movements, vital rates, polar ecology, or changes in metocean conditions and physical habitat alteration.
Research on the status, conservation, and management of marine mammals, their habitats and ecosystems. Research pertaining to non-fishery related management, law andpolicy, industrial activity and impact assessments can be submitted under this topic.
A broad topic of empirical and applied research in all areas of marine mammal ecology and evolution. Studies relating to population biology (e.g., studies on population abundance, demographics, and genetic structure) and interactions between populations and their environment(e.g., habitat and distribution, trophic interactions), as well genetics, genomics and eDNA should be submitted under this category.
Research relating to direct and indirect marine mammal interactions with large- and small-scale (commercial, recreational, or artisanal) fisheries. This topic may include studies on behavior and welfare, social, economic, institutional, and cultural issues, management applications, legislative and policy frameworks, and fisheries technology.
Research relating to animal welfare and health of both wild and captive animals. This may include studies investigating unusual mortality events, live strandings, disease transmission and toxicology. Additionally, we encourage submissions on standard operating procedures on health assessments and incident responses that ensure good animal welfare outcomes.
One of our new abstract submission and conference session categories for unexpected or unprecedented, interesting events relating to marine mammals. Surprise us!
Another new abstract submission category that encourages submissions of innovative science that has been conducted on a low budget. The topic of the research can fall into any of the other abstract submission categories.
Research that describes, explains, or predicts human behavior in relation to marine mammals. Studies in this topic may relate to social, cultural and economic value placed on marine mammals. Abstracts relating to outreach, education and citizen science should be submitted in this category.
If you feel your research does not fit into any of the broadly defined major topics, you can use this option to submit your abstract.
HOW TO ACCESS YOUR REVIEWS
All conference abstracts will be completed within the conference software. More information will be sent to reviewers on how to access the review site and complete their reviews after the submission deadline.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The abstract review process is blind; however, if it becomes apparent that you have a conflict of interest with regards to any assigned abstract, we ask that you abstain from reviewing that particular submission. There is an option to indicate the conflict at the top of the review form. If you abstain from reviewing a submission, you DO NOT need to contact us. We will be notified and will re-assigned the abstract review to another reviewer.