Workshops

Concept Development Workshops

Concept Development Workshops (CDWs) are hosted by the Scientific Advisory Committee and provide a supportive environment for intensive input on study design and methods from a multi-disciplinary faculty. Members of the PoCoG Community Advisory Group are also invited to attend.

PoCoG holds two formal in-person CDWs per year. Members can also submit research ideas and protocols on an ad hoc basis, subject to approval by the Management Team.

The next Concept Development Workshop will be held on Thursday 4 December, 2025. It will be an all-day in-person event at the University of Sydney campus in Camperdown NSW.

Researchers in Australia or New Zealand are invited to apply to bring their concept to the December CDW by completing this application form and sending it to the PoCoG Executive Office by October 8, 2025.

Who can apply?

Submissions from research teams in Australia or New Zealand, involving at least one PoCoG member, are welcome.

The review process:

Submissions will be reviewed by the PoCoG Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and Community Advisory Group (CAG). Investigators will be notified within a week of the closing date whether their concept has been selected for presentation.

Submissions will be considered on the basis of:

  • Importance: Potential to inform the science and practice of psycho-oncology, and aligns with one or more of PoCoG’s priority populations and strategic aims.

  • Scientific quality: the study design and methods proposed have the potential to be developed into a high-quality research plan.

  • Feasibility: The investigators have the required expertise (or can access this via PoCoG) and are likely to be able to garner the needed resources to successfully complete the project.

  • Potential outcomes: This study will significantly improve health outcomes.

Process and timeline for the December CDW:

  • Concept Authors submit their concept for review by completing and submitting the application form before October 8.

  • Members of the PoCoG Scientific Advisory Committee and Community Advisory Group take 2-3 weeks to review the concepts and prepare structured feedback.

  • The PoCoG Executive Office collates and packages the feedback, sending it back to each Concept Author in the week commencing 3 November.

  • Authors amend their concept submission and prepare their presentation for the workshop, sending final iterations of both to PoCoG by November 24.

  • Concept Authors attend and present at the PoCoG CDW on December 4.

  • The Scientific Advisory Committee and PoCoG Executive Office meet on December 5 to review the concepts and determine the level of support. Concept Authors are informed of the outcome in the following week.

Who attends the December 4 workshop:

Investigators whose concept has been selected for presentation are to attend the CDW - PoCoG will arrange and pay for that individual’s travel expenses. The presenting investigator may invite a member of their research team to accompany them, however they will need to fund themselves.

PoCoG attendees will include the PoCoG Chair and Executive Director, Research Manager, and Executive Officer, the Scientific Advisory Chair and Committee members, as well as members from the Community Advisory Group.

If you have questions or would like to know more, please email the PoCoG Executive Office.

We are looking forward to working with you to develop the best concepts and study proposals to assist people living with cancer.