by Grace McCabe-Palmer

Writing an abstract may not be the flashiest part of your submission, but it is one of the most important. Your abstract is the first thing judges read—and sometimes the only part they read before deciding whether to explore your paper in more depth.

Your abstract provides an opportunity to showcase your work, so it’s worth dedicating time to craft it thoughtfully.

What is an abstract?

An abstract is a concise summary of your academic work — a preview of your paper or project. It should give the reader a clear idea of your research, your approach and your discoveries.

For GUA submissions, your abstract should be between 100 and 300 words. There is no need to include references or citations and your abstract must remain anonymous. More on that below.

What to include in your GUA abstract

1. What you set out to do (and why it matters)

Began by identifying the specific, real-world or scholarly problem your are tackling and clearly state the aim of your work.

• What question were you trying to answer?
• What problem were you exploring?
• Why is it important?

Be concise, but ensure you convey why your research deserves attention.

Example:
“This paper explores how social media platforms influence public opinion during election campaigns, focusing on recent UK general elections.”

(Here, the focus is clear, and the importance of the research is immediately apparent.)

2. How you did it

Briefly describe your methodology or approach.

Was it: empirical, theoretical, comparative, interpretive, creative?

Example:
“Using a mixed-methods approach, this study analysed engagement data from Twitter and conducted interviews with political communications experts.”

(Notice how the methodology is clear but not over-explained. It is just enough to give a sense of the work done.)

3. What you found (and what it means)

Summarise your core finding, argument or conclusion. Then go one step further—explain what it changes, challenges, or makes possible. If your research has real-world implications, mention them. If you propose future research or offer a new perspective, highlight that too.

Example:
“The study found that social media engagement often reinforces existing opinions rather than changing minds, suggesting a need for more diverse digital political discourse.”

(This summary presents the results, and the importance of the findings is linked to future implications.)

What About the Artist’s Statement?

For students working in the creative fields or submitting to the Architecture and Design or Visual Arts categories, the Artist’s Statement is its equivalent, essential and often overlooked. It helps judges understand the creative intent behind your work and provides context.

The Artist's Statement is between 300 and 1,500 words but unlike the abstract it maybe relevent to include references or citations to support your goals and it must remain anonymous.

Here are key points to include in your Artist's Statement:

• Clarify your artistic goals: What is the purpose of your work? What were you trying to express?
• Describe your process: What medium or methods did you use and why?
• Intended Impact: What do you want the viewer to think or feel?

Before you Submit - Checklist

✅ Is your abstract between 100 and 300 words?
✅ Is your artist's statement between 300 and 1,500 words?
✅ Have you stated your research question or purpose clearly?
✅ Did you summarise your methodology or creative process concisely?
✅ Have you included your main findings or conclusions?
✅ Is it free from jargon, acronyms?
✅ Have you written in your own words, not copied from your introduction?
✅ Have you kept it anonymous (no names, institutions, courses, supervisors)?
✅ Does it show why your work matters—beyond your specific topic?

A Quick Note on Anonymity

One of our core GUA values is fairness, so all entries are judged anonymously. To ensure anonymity, do not include:

• Your name
• Your university’s name, initials, logo or website
• Your supervisor’s name
• Any course names or codes
• Personal details in citations
• Remove metadata from the final pdf
  
  

Before uploading, carefully check your document to replace any identifying information with neutral language such as “[redacted for anonymity]” and run your pdf through a metadata removal tool like - https://metadataremover.org/ to make sure even the information that isn't immediately on screen also is cleared of personal information.

Good Luck with your Submission and follow us on socials for more tips and information