OHBM POLICY ON ANNUAL MEETING SPEAKER SELECTION
Each year, the OHBM Annual Meeting features a wide range of topics and issues specifically addressing
the field of human functional neuroimaging and its movement into the scientific mainstream. Local and
International speakers are selected to present at Talairach, Keynotes, Educational and Scientific
Programs. Oral Sessions are also selected based on scores received during the abstract review process.
The selection process for Annual Meeting speakers begins a year in advance and includes a Call for
Educational and Scientific Programs. OHBM regularly receives more proposals than available
presentation slots; therefore, only the most exceptional proposals are selected for presentation at the
Annual Meeting. Because of the competitive nature of program selection, the Program Committee uses
the following criteria to guide their decision making process:
Selection Criteria:
1. Scientific quality, the level of interest in the topic and appropriateness for the meeting are the
primary selection criteria.
a. Talairach presenters have typically been those who have contributed either a real
breakthrough or, more traditionally, leaders in fields that are relevant to brain imaging
or associated with it. Those with more senior status and long and productive careers
with significant insights are given preference. These individuals can come from within
or outside the brain imaging field. Because it is an honor to be invited as the Talairach
Lecturer, individuals may only serve in this role once.
b. Keynotes can be senior or junior people either from within the brain imaging community
and who have made a significant contribution to the field. Because individuals often
change their area of focus or research, it is acceptable to have an individual serve as a
keynote presenter more than once; however, preference will be given to those that
have not previously served.
c. For educational courses, the emphasis is on a clear and well-structured overview of
established methods and recent advances. Reviewer scores from submitted proposals
are used to assist in the selection process.
d. For symposia, novelty and general scientific interest are most important. The Program
Committee scores submitted proposals, these scores are used to assist in the selection
process.
e. For morning workshops, topics with an educational component are important, as well as
topics that are potentially controversial and likely to spur audience discussion and
participation. Program Committee scores submitted proposals, and these scores are
used to assist in the selection process.
f. For oral sessions, reviewer scores are used to identify the top abstracts chosen for those
areas that are agreed to be of interest and as well as overall topic area.
2. Diversity of presenters: organizers are encouraged to include presenters of diverse genders and
nationalities and under-represented minorities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to invite
presenters from other institutions and laboratories. Individuals will only be permitted to speak
or organize one educational course offered the day before the Annual Meeting and one
scientific program during the Annual Meeting.
3. Individuals selected as Talairach or Keynote presenters are not eligible to speak at or organize a
symposium or morning workshop. (These individuals can, however, speak at and/or organize an
Educational Course provided the information being presented is different than that of their
Annual Meeting presentation.)
4. The Program Committee seeks a diversity of symposia, workshops, and educational topics.
Multiple presenters and proposals by an individual will not be accepted unless they concern
scientifically distinct topics. If two or more proposals on a similar topic across these programs
are received from a single individual, it is likely that only one will be selected. Likewise, the
same speaker named as presenting on similar topics across sessions will be discouraged except
in very rare instances. For educational courses, the emphasis is on a clear and well-structured
overview of established methods and recent advances, with an eminently didactic purpose.
They should NOT be a repetition of material presented elsewhere in the conference. Proposals
that address health and disease in order to increase the dialogue between basic and clinical
neuroscientists are encouraged, as they increase the diversity of topics.
5. The Program Committee will abide by ACCME guidelines ensuring that the CME is free from the
control of ACCME-defined commercial interests. Organizers and presenters (including spouses
and partners) who have a relevant conflict of interest will not be allowed to present at the
Annual Meeting.
Speaker Honoraria/Travel Reimbursement Guidelines:
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One-Day Educational Course Speakers: gratis meeting registration
Talairach Lecture: $1,000 honorarium, business class airfare, three night’s hotel accommodations, 2
days meals and ground transportation expenses, gratis meeting registration.
Keynote Presenters: coach airfare, 2 night’s hotel accommodations, 2 days meals and ground
transportation, gratis meeting registration.
No honoraria or reimbursement is provided for symposia, morning workshop or oral session
presenters.