Showcasing Your Work: Abstract Tips for Early Career Researchers Submitting to RSTMH Global Research in Progress (GRiP)

When I first started my global health research career, submitting an abstract for an international conference often felt extremely difficult.

What topic should I submit?

What conferences should I prepare for?

What kind of research is a good fit for which conference?

What if I get rejected?

What if I am not good enough to present?

These were real concerns.

But over time, I have learned something crucial. Scientific writing, including abstract writing, is a continuous learning process.

The goal of scientific writing is not necessarily perfection, but contribution. It is an opportunity to share something you are learning, something you are questioning, something you are building, or something you understand well enough to teach others.

That is why I am excited about the upcoming GRiP event.

With the call for abstracts now open, this is not just a time to reflect on what to submit, but also why and how.

Why GRiP Matters

GRiP, organised by RSTMH, is an online meeting designed for early career researchers across the world to share and discuss their unpublished research with peers and senior experts in tropical medicine and global health.

What makes GRiP stand out is the diversity of its audience, both geographically and in experience. It creates a space where ongoing work and emerging ideas can be shared, including the challenges encountered and opportunities for improvement.

If you are working on original research such as cross-sectional studies, case control studies, or cohort studies, GRiP is relevant. If you are working on desk-based research such as systematic reviews, scoping reviews, or the analysis of secondary data, this is also a good fit.

If you have analysed your data and obtained results, even if your work is still in progress, then GRiP is also for you.

Rethinking the Abstract: It Is Not Just a Summary

An abstract is not merely a shortened or compressed version of your work. It is a common mistake to treat it this way.

An abstract is better understood as a miniature story written in clear and simple language for a broad scientific audience.

Think of it as the first impression of your work. After reading your abstract, a reader should be able to decide whether they understand your work, whether they are interested in learning more, and whether your work contains something useful or relevant to them.

At its core, an abstract should answer a few key questions. What problem are you addressing? Why does it matter? What did you do? What did you find? What does it mean?

How I Approach Writing an Abstract

From writing my own abstracts and reviewing those of others, I have found a few practical approaches that make the process more effective.

The first step is to understand the conference theme. Carefully review the main theme and any sub themes. This helps you determine whether your work aligns with the conference. For instance, a study on climate change may not fit a conference focused on health financing unless there is a clear and meaningful link.

When writing the abstract itself, I start with the problem (background section). Before discussing methods or results, it is important to clearly explain what gap you are addressing and why it matters. The opening lines should be as clear and compelling as possible, because they determine whether the reader stays engaged. This background section should end with a clear statement of your aim or objectives.

The next step is to describe what you did (methods section). This section should clearly explain how you addressed the problem. It should include where the research was conducted, who the participants were, the sample size, inclusion criteria, the study design, the type of data collected, and how the data was analysed. The goal here is to build credibility by being specific, while remaining concise.

The results section is the most important part of the abstract. It provides answers to the questions raised earlier and is often what readers focus on most. Even if your work is ongoing, you likely have meaningful findings to share. These could include trends, unexpected observations, or important patterns in your data. Conferences do not require perfect results, but they do require meaningful ones. This section should receive the most attention in both content and word count.

Finally, the abstract should end with a final message or impact statement (conclusion section). This section should clearly answer the question of what your findings mean. It may highlight implications for policy or practice, challenge existing assumptions, or point out gaps that require further research. This is your final opportunity to leave a strong impression on the reader.

A Note on Word Count Distribution

Each section of an abstract is expected to carry a different weight. While exact requirements may vary slightly depending on the conference, a useful guide is as follows.

The introduction or background should take about 10 to 15 percent of the total word count. This is enough to establish the problem without taking up too much space.

The methods section should take about 20 to 25 percent. It should be detailed enough to show rigour, but still concise.

The results section should carry the most weight, typically around 40 to 50 percent of the total word count. This reflects its importance.

The conclusion should take about 10 to 15 percent. It should be brief but impactful.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

If you are preparing your abstract for GRiP, there are several common mistakes to watch out for.

One is being too vague. It is important to be specific in every section. Statements that do not clearly explain what was done or what was found weaken the overall quality of the abstract.

Another is overloading the abstract with jargon. Your writing should be understandable to a general scientific audience, not just specialists in your field.

Starting late is also a common issue, especially among early career researchers. Writing your abstract a few hours before the deadline limits your ability to think clearly, revise properly, and navigate the submission process. It is advisable to complete your draft at least two to three days before the deadline.

It is also important to make use of an extra set of eyes. Sharing your abstract with a peer or mentor can help identify grammatical errors, inconsistencies, poor flow, and missing information.

In addition, take time to review and revisit your work. Writing improves with revision. Stepping away from your draft and returning to it later allows you to see areas that need improvement.

Conclusion

As submissions for GRiP open over the coming weeks, there is a lot to look forward to.

Do not underestimate your ability to contribute. Many early career researchers feel they need more experience before submitting. However, lots of valuable contributions also come from ECRs with fresh perspectives, on the ground experiences, and innovative approaches to familiar problems. Your voice is an important part of the scientific conversation, and spaces like GRiP are designed to make that voice heard.

If you are considering submitting, this is your nudge. Share your work. Contribute your voice. Be part of the GRiP conversation.

Author Profile

Fortune Effiong is a medical laboratory scientist, early career global health researcher, and social impact strategist from Nigeria. He has delivered oral presentations at international conferences, including the 13th International AIDS Conference, the 2nd ECOWAS Lassa Fever Conference, the 7th Global Forum on TB Vaccines, and the 3rd International Conference on Public Health in Africa. He has authored over 25 peer reviewed articles in international journals and published two books for medical laboratory scientists. He is a recipient of grants from the RSTMH, WHO, and INASP.