The Dyslexia Foundation
EXTRAORDINARY BRAIN SERIES SYMPOSIA
Invitation for Proposals:
The Dyslexia Foundation (TDF) has a long history of holding small, targeted scientific think-tank symposia, the Extraordinary Brain Series (EBS) Symposia. These meetings involve a small group (~18) of researchers who attend all sessions, with 4–5 five presentations per day over a 4–5 day period, with ample time for integrative discussion, with a limited “audience” including practitioners who participate in discussions, helping to ensure that attention is given to the impact of the research discussed on current and future practice. The meetings include a diversity of research and practice perspectives and engaging discussions, culminating in suggestions for future work. These symposia have produced 17 edited volumes and six thematic journal issues so far as products of the presentations and discussions. Many researchers have said that TDF EBS symposia were the best research meetings they had ever attended. We invite researchers in dyslexia research and related areas to propose topics for future symposia.
(For a list of prior symposium topics and publications, see ______)
Please submit your proposal for an Extraordinary Brain Symposium using the following template. Proposals should be submitted to TDF at this email address: ben.powers@dyslexiafoundation.org.
Topics should address some aspect of dyslexia or related areas of research, including the neurobiology, genetics, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of reading difficulties/dyslexia, and how best to prevent and/or intervene/ameliorate them.
The proposer, prior to the symposium they would lead, must have attended and participated in at least one TDF Extraordinary Brain Symposium. If your proposal is selected but you have not attended a prior symposium, your proposal may be held until such time as you can attend. It is important to have had that experience to understand the process and goals of these think-tank symposia.
TEMPLATE:
Concept: Briefly describe the background and need to address this topic, in 1–2 pages. This is the rationale for the meeting and should include in key themes a balance of behavioral science, neuroscience, and genetics, with the emphasis depending on the topic but all three should be included in some measure. Please include how the proposed EBS conference would further our understanding of dyslexia from the standpoint of etiology, identification, co-occurrence, and treatment (any or all of these). Documenting with references is wise and these do not count against your concept page limit. Do not include a full agenda or names of potential presenters (see “Key Scientists” below). The agenda for the symposium will be developed collaboratively with TDF staff, and will include time for integrative discussions and time for research-to-practice considerations where appropriate to the topic.
Guiding Questions: Give 2–3 clearly stated key questions that all of the presenters should address from their various perspectives.
Key Scientists: Give the names (along with institutional affiliation and area of research expertise) of 5 scientists whom you consider to be crucial to the success of the symposium. Do not include a longer list of speakers as these will be determined in discussion with TDF personnel during the planning process.
Financial Support:
TDF is a 501(c)3 organization, funded primarily by donations. The proposer is strongly encouraged to seek external financial support for the proposed symposium. This could be funding for outreach that has been included in a federal grant, funds from a grant obtained by the organizer specifically for this symposium, or personal funds or funds from other sources. However, proposals will be rated on scientific merit and innovation, and the possibility of funding will not be considered in the rating.