Call for Abstracts

Who can send an abstract?  

The goal of WABF 2027 is to increase the understanding of bullying, cyberbullying and other forms of violence and discriminatory behaviour involving children and youth, and to promote prevention and intervention against bullying across different contexts. We seek contributions to increase evidence-based knowledge about bullying and to promote collaboration between policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and youth.  

WABF 2027 welcomes presentations from researchers, practitioners, policymakers, youth and entities within the thematic realm of the Forum (such as publishers, technology companies for ethics and social good. 

All abstracts must be within the 1700-character limit. There is a limit of four authors per abstract. A single author may submit up to 2 submissions. At least one of the authors must register to be able to present. Projects that show how policy and research-based knowledge are implemented in schools, kindergartens, communities and other arenas are especially welcome.  

Choose a type of presentation: 

1.     Oral Paper Presentation 

Oral paper presentations can include proposals that present theoretical insights and/or practical implications through research, a program, activities, practice, experiences or policy related to addressing bullying. Each presenter will be provided with a time slot that will be 15 minutes in length in a 90-minute session with 4 other speakers (5 total in 1 session). One of the authors from the accepted oral presentations will be asked to be the chair the session.  

2.     Poster Presentation 

Poster presentations can include proposals that present theoretical insights and/or practical implications through research, a program, a activities, practice, experience or policy related to addressing bullying. Accepted posters will be asked to produce a poster for display both at the conference (printed on paper) and in the digital forum platform (digital poster). When producing their poster, presenters are asked to follow the guidelines. Each accepted poster will get a Posterboard Number, as well as the day and time of their Poster Presentation. Poster sessions are 60-minute sessions where each author is required to stay next to their poster printed on paper for Q&A. After 60 minutes, authors must take down their poster.  

3.     Symposium  

Symposia can include proposals that present theoretical insights and/or practical implications through research, a program, activities, practice, experiences or policy related to addressing bullying. Symposia are focused sessions in which multiple speakers present information related to a unifying topic that is viewed to be a significant common theme, issue, or question. Symposia will be 90 minutes in length, with a designated chair/discussant and a maximum of 5 presenters. The symposium proposal needs to include the following elements and be uploaded on the WABF2027 site as a single Word document: 

• Title of the symposium (150 characters maximum) 

• Integrative statement (1700 characters maximum) 

• Chair/discussant details (name and affiliation) 

• 3–5 keywords for the symposium 

• Title (max 150 characters) and abstract for each individual presentation included in the symposium (max 1700 characters per presentation).  

4.     Workshop  

Workshops can include proposals that present theoretical insights and/or practical implications through research, a program, activities, practice, experiences or policy related to addressing bullying. Workshops constitute opportunities for a group of delegates to be engaged in discussion and/or activities on a particular topic related to addressing bullying. A workshop can feature hands-on educational material as well. Workshops will have a duration of 60 minutes. 

5. Interactive Lounges& Expos 

We welcome innovative contributions for our Interactive Lounges (5.1.) & Expos (5.2.). These dedicated environments are designed to showcase transformative practices, facilitate hands-on engagement, and foster cross-sector collaboration. Interactive lounge activities will have a designated day and time to occur in the Forum schedule, whereas expos will be displayed during the three-day WABF. Submissions will be evaluated based on relevance to the lounge theme, interactivity, commitment to ethical/inclusive practice, and clarity of implementation. We seek proposals that align with the following specialized spaces. 

5.1. Interactive Lounges. Choose which type of Interactive Lounge. 

The Training & Coaching Hub| We seek proposals from established programs and projects to share evidence-based professional development models. Submissions should highlight peer-to-peer coaching, inclusive classroom practices, and sustainable teacher-training frameworks. This hub serves as a central point for education professionals to exchange pedagogical and psychoeducational strategies.  

Innovation & Digital Citizenship Area| We seek proposals from technology leaders and ethical innovators to demonstrate the safe, equitable integration of Generative AI and digital literacy. Contributions should emphasize data privacy, the ethics of AI, and preparing a diverse student body for a tech-integrated workforce, with a specific focus on technology for social good.  

Youth Mentoring & Advocacy Room |Facilitated by the Psychoeducational Department of the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Lisbon, this lounge centres on student-led policy change and collaboration. We invite proposals that empower student leadership and ensure diverse youth perspectives are at the heart of educational reform. Contributions should focus on mentorship, youth-led activities and youth-participatory approaches, and student/youth advocacy. 

 RelaxZone | We invite practitioners and education and mental health professionals to design experiences that promote well-being. This space explores the intersection of physical environment and subjective well-being, offering strategies for stress reduction and emotional regulation that are accessible to all participants. Contributions can include Sensory-friendly and Art installations, mindfulness and art-based materials, and well-being-focused expos. 

5.2. Expos 

The Reading Station | We seek proposals from publishers and literacy advocates to showcase resources focused on bullying, cyberbullying, social-emotional learning, and other domains within the thematic realm of the Forum. Located adjacent to the library, this space offers a quiet, accessible environment for participants to engage with the latest literature.  

Choose the type of content your abstract will contain and read its instructions for abstract structure: 

1. If authors choose to sendRESEARCH WORK,please include an introduction/background, the objective(s), the methodology including the population and sample size, type of research (qualitative / quantitative), instruments, brief procedures, data analysis and results, and lastly, the contribution for theory and/or practice. 
2. If authors choose to focus onPRACTICE, POLICY,or ACTIVITY, they should emphasize on the “What” and the “So What” of a specific initiative. Delegates should begin by defining the specific bullying challenge or gap their project addressed, followed by a clear description of the intervention or policy implemented and its target audience. The abstract must conclude with the measurable impact or qualitative changes observed, highlighting 1–2 key lessons learned that other organizations could replicate in their own contexts. 
3. 2. If authors choose to focus onEDUCATIONAL MATERIALor a PROGRAM, their abstract should function as a session syllabus, focusing on skill-building and tangible tools. It must clearly state the learning objectives—what participants will be able to do by the end of the session—and describe the methodology, such as hands-on simulations, toolkit walkthroughs, or role-playing. Additionally, it should specify any materials provided (e.g., PDFs or frameworks) and identify any prerequisite knowledge required for participants to get the most out of the training. 
4. 3. If authors choose to focus onDISCUSSIONor SHARING OF EXPERIENCE, they should emphasize perspective and dialogue. Submissions should outline the specific context or narrative being shared and identify 2–3 core themes or “tension points” the speaker intends to explore. Rather than focusing on data, the abstract should highlight the central questions that will be posed to the audience and the reflections delegates are expected to take away from the conversation. 
5. If entities choose to focus onINTERACTIVE LOUNGESor EXPOS, the following information should be included in the abstract. Submissions must clearly identify the Target Lounge or Expo and its format, specifying both the chosen thematic area and whether the contribution is a scheduled interactive session (Interactive Lounge) or a continuous three-day expo display (Expo). This should be followed by a Title and Purpose section that provides an engaging heading and defines the core educational need addressed. The Content and Evidence Base must then outline the specific pedagogical frameworks, research, or ethical strategies underpinning the work. Crucially, include a Delegate Engagement section detailing the interactive element, describing exactly how participants will experience the space and how the activity ensures accessibility for diverse needs, such as neurodiversity or physical mobility. Finally,  conclude with a brief summary of Technical and Space Requirements, listing any essential needs such as power access, specific floor dimensions, or high-speed connectivity to ensure a seamless implementation. 

Keywords 

Please choose 3 keywords from the list below to best describe your abstract: 

• Theoretical perspectives 

• Participant roles in bullying 

• Teachers/Educators 

• Parents 

• Bias or identity-based bullying 

• Risk or protective factors 

• Outcomes of bullying 

• Measurement issues 

• School bullying 

• Preschool and infant school 

• Cyberbullying and online safety 

• Bullying in sports 

• Sibling bullying 

• Bullying and other forms of violence 

• Bullying prevention 

• Reactive strategies 

• Children’s rights 

• Victim support 

• Migration and racism 

• Sexual harassment 

• Prosociality 

• Moral disengagement