Call for Special Session Contributions

Within the conference programme, we would like to incorporate a small number of special Interactive and Collaborative Sessions (maximum running length 60 minutes). We’re inviting contributors to propose workshops, symposia and roundtables for WiSEAN 2027. 

We welcome ideas from researchers, practitioners, coaches, athletes, health professionals and organisations to improve women’s and girls’ experiences in sport. Sessions should be engaging, inclusive and relevant to the conference themes below. We encourage contributions that are interactive, bring different perspectives together and make space for collaboration, discussion, learning and practical ideas, in alignment with our conference themes.

Embracing Change: Adopting Innovations that Support Women in Sport

Technology, innovation, new approaches to coaching and provision, data, equipment, research translation and interventions that improve women’s sporting experiences.

Integrated Health and Support Across the Life Course

How coordinated, multidisciplinary and person-centred support can meet women’s changing health, wellbeing and performance needs throughout their lives. This may include psychology, strength and conditioning, physiology, pelvic health, sports therapy, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and return to activity or performance.

Advancing Performance: Creating Environments Where Women Can Thrive

The coaching, training, competition and organisational environments that enable women and girls to fulfil their sporting potential. This may include female-centred performance practice, talent pathways, coach development, athlete voice, leadership, transitions, safeguarding, inclusion and the structures that shape equitable opportunities in sport.

We’re interested in a range of formats. The examples below are intended to help you picture what each could involve; contributors are welcome to suggest other approaches.

Workshop

An interactive, practical session where participants actively explore a topic or develop skills, ideas or resources.

Symposium

A series of short, connected presentations that explore a shared topic from different perspectives, followed by discussion or questions. 

Roundtable

A facilitated conversation that brings people together to share experience, examine different viewpoints and identify questions or priorities

If you’re interested in contributing, please complete the following form by Monday 23rd November.

Application outcomes will be communicated by 18th December. 

Please note that contributors selected to lead special sessions will be required to pay delegate fees to attend the conference. Abstract submission for other presentation formats (Standard research presentations / poster presentations) will open later in the year.

We look forward to hearing your ideas and working with you to create a programme that supports women and girls to thrive in sport.