Making Abstracts Accessible

Not sure what an 'abstract' is or where to start with writing one? In this blog our 2026 Events Co-ordinator, Louisa Pickard, breaks down the process, offering a how-to guide on writing abstracts.

We’ve all been there. The blank word document, the blinking spacebar. The word 'abstract' is certainly not one of my favourites, and I imagine it might not be one of yours either. After the many hours spent developing a paper, the last thing you want to do is try and squeeze your wonderful ideas into an 'abstract' - a 100-words or 200-words of formulaic hoop-jumping . And yet, I do think there is an art to a good abstract and unraveling that process can make the task a whole lot easier. So, in today’s blog, let me run you through the who-what-where-when-why of abstracts and help you transform the arduous into the amazing!

Firstly, what is an abstract? Even if you’ve never written one before it’s likely you’ll have read some during your research. Abstracts are the short synopsises given before a paper, either when published or when presented at a conference. They offer a flavour of the piece, indicating what’s covered and how it contributes to existing research. In my mind, it’s the sales pitch of your piece - why audiences should bother reading or listening.

This ‘why’ is key to today’s blog. Why should you write one? Initially, your abstract is a vital part of the BritGrad application process as it indicates to the committee what research you’d like to share. BritGrad is a student friendly conference but nevertheless competitive, showcasing delegates from across the world, so your abstract is your 'sales pitch' to present. It tells us why we should pick you and platform your work at the event. It has to grab our attention, offer a flavour of your work, and emphasise its unique selling points.

Then, if you're successful, your abstract performs a second 'sales pitch' at the conference itself. As a popular three-day event, BritGrad has many panels running at once and attendees have to prioritise which papers they listen to. The programme (featuring each paper and its abstract) is like an auction brochure: it shows attendees what items are on offer and ultimately guides where they spend their time. You want your ideal audience to be in your room, hearing your talk and offering their feedback or questions, so it is important that your abstract attracts them. No pressure, but hopefully this is demonstrating the power of a good abstract - it can be the difference between a good, popularly attended and well received paper, and a less helpful one. I have received some vital feedback and suggestions, as well as made some wonderful academic connections (and friends), based on panels attended and papers given!

So, the big question, how do you go about writing an abstract? I have a few tips that hopefully can help. Firstly, if you had to boil your project down to just five words what would they be? Publications often require you to give keywords and I have now started to do this for abstract writing in general. I find it helps me focus and step back from my work to think about its core ideas, arguments, and messages. These five words should make their way into the final abstract so go back and check them off at the writing stage. Secondly, as someone who talks much faster than they type, I find it helpful to speak aloud when planning. Summarise your project on voice note or explain it to a friend (academic or not), in only one minute. This should involve elaborating on each of your five key words and giving a brief roadmap to the paper. Then, it’s time to turn this into text. Think about your voice which needs to be academic but direct - almost snappy. I find reading other abstracts from articles I enjoyed great for inspiration. Tip: if you’re struggling to start, a quote from relevant primary material can be a nice framing device. Nevertheless, make sure your voice is at the forefront, emphasise your original contribution to the field, and don’t hold anything back ‘for later’ - it’s now or never!

Hopefully you’re feeling a little more prepared for your sales pitch. Ultimately, my advice is to let the passion of your project lead the way. Show us why you’re excited about your work and why we should be too!

Best of luck. We’re looking forward to reading your abstracts very soon…

Written by Louisa Pickard (Events Co-ordinator)

Submission Information: BritGrad is delighted to announce that the Call for Papers for our 2026 conference is now open. Hybrid: Stratford-upon-Avon & Online Dates: Thursday 18th – Saturday 20th June 2026 Deadline for Abstracts:  Friday 20th March at 5pm GMT

To apply for BritGrad 2024, you must submit a 200-word abstract and complete the registration form, which can be found on the 'Apply to Present' page on our website. Abstract Prize: 

​BritGrad 2026 will award a prize for the best abstract in each category (research paper and creative workshop), with the winners being awarded £50 each. All accepted abstracts are put forward for the award.