Trainee Research Network: National Conference

Overview

Our Trainee Research Network (TRN) aims to increase opportunities for residents to carry out child health research and to provide peer support and guidance. 

We support regional paediatric trainee research networks. We facilitate opportunities for networking and collaborative working, and support trainees to develop research skills through education, training and sharing research opportunities. 

Programme

The theme of the conference is ‘Building Capacity: Past, Present and Future’.

Sessions will include plenary talks, workshops, short talks, panel discussions and abstract presentations focusing on three key areas: 

1. Getting started and progressing in research: Exploring how to access research opportunities, navigate different research pathways and develop as a researcher at various career stages
2.  Building research skills and outcomes: Covering the practical skills needed to design, evaluate, deliver, and publish high quality research
3. Research in practice and collaboration: Focusing on how research can be integrated into clinical practice, supported through research networks, and strengthened through collaboration and shared learning

Abstracts

We are now inviting abstract submissions. Submit your abstract by 27 March 2026 for an opportunity to be part of the conference programme.

Submit your abstract

Please see guidelines for submission below. 

FAQs about abstracts

What are the benefits of presenting an abstract?

• Showcase preliminary project work and gain constructive feedback to help shape future activity
• Add to your CV and boost your chances of winning funding
• Refine your presentation skills and promote yourself, and your institution
• Share your knowledge - your work could make a real difference
• Top scoring abstract authors also have the chance to present their work during the event

Do I have to pay to submit?

There is no fee for making a submission. However, if your submission is accepted, you will be required to attend the conference and pay the £40 registration fee 

What are the presentation opportunities?

Top scoring abstracts authors will be offered the opportunity to present abstracts as an oral presentation and/or an ePoster display

What are the key dates for abstract submissions? 

• Deadline to submit: Friday 27 March, 23:59 BST
• Notification of outcome of submission: Week of 27 April
• Deadline to confirm acceptance and presenting author: Monday 11 May
• Deadline for presenting author to register: Monday 25 May

How are the abstracts reviewed?

All abstracts are reviewed ‘blind’. No identifying features such as names of authors, names of hospitals, medical schools, clinics or cities should be listed in the title or text of the abstract. The names of the authors and their affiliations (institutions) are requested separately when the abstract is submitted online

Are there any training materials to help?

Dr Anne-Lise Goddings, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London shares practical advice on preparing and writing a clear and informative abstract for conferences and research meetings. It's freely available on our RCPCH Learning website, you will need to login with an RCPCH account and enrol to view the session. 
Watch Writing Conference Abstract training on RCPCH Learning

Guidance for abstract submissions

Abstract title

Your suggested title should be succinct yet clearly indicate the nature of the study. Use sentence case (ie the first letter of the sentence is capitalised, with the rest being lowercase except for proper nouns and acronyms and any words are an abbreviation (eg, RCPCH, NHS or PICU). The titles of accepted abstracts will be published in the final conference programme.

The title is a maximum 160 characters, including spaces.

Abstract content, structure and word count

Your abstract should not exceed 470 words. There is an additional 130-word allowance for references (600 total). 

When submitting your abstract, it should be divided into five sections and presented under the following headings:

1. Background – why did you do the study?
2. Aims – what was the objectives of the study?
3. Methods – how was the study undertaken?
4. Results and discussion – what did you find?
5. Conclusion – why are your findings important? Are there any other next steps?

General style guidelines

Use standard abbreviations only and place any unusual abbreviation in parentheses after the full word the first time it appears.

• Use generic names of drugs.
• If reference is made to proprietary products or equipment, the manufacturer's name and location should be included in parentheses.
• Please check your abstract carefully as it will not be edited.
• Graphs, tables and images can be inserted. All images, symbols, tables, graphs and lines should be clear and distinct. Maximum file size 10MB.
• A “blind” selection process will be used when abstracts are being reviewed. Therefore, do not include any author names or any other clear identifying information in the title or text of the abstract itself. You will be asked to submit the names of authors and their affiliations separately during the submission process.

References

There is an additional 130-word allowance for references. You can use the format below to list references:

• [1] Name of Source, Name of author, date
• [2] Name of Source, Name of author, date

When quoting your references please use either square [1] or curved brackets (2). For example:

• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a very common cardiac lesion that we come across in preterm babies especially less than 28 weeks [1].

Consent

Provided that the abstract doesn't contain patient identifiable information, we do not need to see a patient/parent consent form. It is important, however, to bear in mind that identifiable does not just refer to a patient’s name but could also be related to a specific condition, region or hospital. So please do be aware of this when submitting your abstract.

Submission agreement

• Please do not submit multiple copies of the same abstract.
• If your submission is accepted, the presenting author will be required to attend the conference and pay the registration fee that applies to them.
• Registration, travel and accommodation charges are the responsibility of the presenter.
• All correspondence will be sent to the submitting author. It is the responsibility of this person to pass on any relevant information regarding the submitted abstract and the conference to the presenting and co-authors.

If you have any questions about abstracts or the conference, please contact the Research and Evidence team on research@rcpch.ac.uk.