Theme: Leisure for Everyone
Topics of Interest
We welcome abstracts related to a wide range of areas, including:
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Leisure
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Recreation
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Health and Wellbeing
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Community Engagement
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Sport and physical activity
Types of Submissions
Submissions may represent different stages of research, including:
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Conceptual research
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Works in progress
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Completed studies
Accepted submissions will be considered for oral or poster presentations.
Event Details
Date: May 8, 2026
Location: University of Waterloo
Abstract Submission Requirements
Abstracts must:
- Be a maximum of 250 words (excluding references)• Follow APA (7th edition) formatting guidelines
- Be submitted in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx)
- Be single-spaced
- Use 12-point font
- Include 1-inch margins on all sides
Submit one document via email attachment to garls.symposium@uwaterloo.ca
Cover page (for double-blind review)
- A separate cover page (which will be removed prior to review) must include:
- Full title of the paper
- Name(s), institutional affiliation(s), email(s), and telephone number(s)
- Name of the academic supervisor
- Presentation preference (select one):
- Poster onlyo Prefer poster but willing to present orally
- Prefer oral but willing to present poster
- Oral presentation only
- (Please indicate if an alternative presentation format is required)
Oral Presentation Guidelines
- 15-minute presentation
- 5–10 minutes for discussion
- Time limits will be strictly enforced
- Presentations should be concise and structured appropriately:
- Empirical studies: objectives, methods, analyses, findings
- Works in progress: objectives, proposed methodology, anticipated contributions
- Conceptual papers: overview of key ideas and theoretical contributions
Final presentation files must be submitted by April 30, 2026 to ensure technical compatibility.
Poster Presentation Guidelines
Poster sessions are designed to showcase the key elements of your research while facilitating direct interaction with attendees. Posters should clearly communicate your objectives, methods, findings (or proposed approach), and implications through effective visual and textual presentation.