On a sunny afternoon in May, barely a month before BritGrad, I sat down with Dr Rebecca Yearling to talk about her upcoming plenary about Shakespeare and Violence.

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.