Thank you for your interest in the Marion Steele Symposium. Please read and print this page to help you complete the application form.

Our theme for this year is "Making A Difference: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally"

Submission Information

Please review your submission carefully before hitting send. Print out a copy for your records.

Eligibility

Undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (Nutrition students) & the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management are invited to submit papers or posters.

Eligible papers and posters may be the result of a course assignment, a special problem, independent study project, graduate and/or undergraduate research.

Papers should address this year's theme in some way. However, papers on other topics are also welcome."Thinking globally, acting locally” is not limited to international perspectives; it also applies to a macro (big picture) approach to looking at problems but taking a micro (day-to-day) approach to addressing them.

A theoretical or policy treatment of a topic that addresses questions or issues of particular relevance to families, consumer sciences, human development, and communities.

A report of the analysis of empirical research data from a study or work that addresses questions or issues of particular relevance to family, consumer sciences, human development, and communities.

Poster submissions must include the following:

All general information as outlined in "General Submission Information"
A 300 word abstract that includes a brief synopsis of the project and major findings.
Posters should be presented on one 3-part folding poster board that includes student’s name. Handouts are encouraged.
Do NOT submit actual poster until day of symposium. It is not necessary to submit a file.

Paper submissions must include the following:

All general information as outlined in "General Submission Information"
A 300 word abstract that includes a brief synopsis of the project and major findings.
Click whether you need any of the following equipment:
- Overhead projector
- VCR
- DVD Player
A Word 2003 (.doc) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) document including abstract (double spaced with 1 inch margins). As all submissions are blind reviewed, the cover sheet and abstract within the paper should contain only the title and not student’s name.
- Word 2007 documents may not work.
- Click here to access instructions on how to save Word 2007 documents as Word 2003 Documents.
- If you use Word Perfect, convert your file to Rich Text Format. Click here to access instructions.
- Mac users should convert files to Rich Text Format.
- Click here to access instructions.
Suggested paper length is 10-15 pages of text excluding charts, tables, etc.
If you are having any trouble saving your documents, please email Chris Barthold for help.
Incomplete or incorrectly formatted submissions may not be considered. Materials will not be returned.

Selection Criteria

The awards panel utilizes the following criteria to rank posters:

Substance of the poster clearly supports the topic with scholarly materials.
Organization summarizes and provides educational information.
Technical merit: organizational clarity, attractiveness of presentation, clarity of presentation.
Appropriate interpretations and conclusions.

The awards panel utilizes the following criteria to rank papers:

Quality of analysis.
Validity of conclusions.
Relevance to the study of families, consumer sciences, human development, and communities.
Originality of work.
Clarity and fluency of text.
Technical quality.
Clarity and effectiveness of position.
Adequacy and appropriateness of documentation.
Use of recognized citation style

You will be notified via email by April 9 if your poster or paper was selected for presentation at the Marion Steele Symposium.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Norma Gaines-Hanks, HDFS (ngaines@udel.edu)