The True North Science Boot Camp (TNSBC) Organizing Committee invites librarian and library worker proposals for TNSBC 2026, hosted by McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, from June 18th-19th, 2026.
McMaster University, where the TNSBC 2026 will be held, is situated on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe nations. The territory was the subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy and the Ojibwe and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. It is in this same spirit of peaceful sharing among our local region that we wish to come together to better support one another in our journeys as teachers and learners.
We welcome proposals on a wide range of topics related to Science (including Health Sciences), Technology, Engineering, and Math including (but not limited to):
Teaching
Collection development
Collaborations
Innovative practices and services in STEM libraries
All submissions must be received through the online submissions form no later than Sunday April 5, 2026.
Presentations – These 20-minute sessions, consisting of a 15-minute presentation followed by a 5-minute question and answer period, allow you to report on original research, leading-edge teaching practice, or both. Presentation submissions require a title and structured abstract (no more than 350 words).
Lightning Talks – These 5-minute sessions are short but impactful, allowing presenters to provide a pithy glimpse into an innovative project or practice. A panel-style question and answer period will follow. Lightning talk submissions require a title and structured abstract (no more than 350 words).
Interactive Workshops – These 60-minute practical workshops allow you to share knowledge and expertise through active learning and participation, enabling attendees to develop and practice skills related to information literacy instruction. Interactive workshop submissions require a title, structured abstract, at least 3 learning outcomes, a learning activity, and information about technology requirements.
All proposals will be evaluated using a set of rubrics. Prior to submitting your proposal, please review the Lightning Talk and Presentation rubric or the Interactive Workshop rubric.
All proposals should address the following equity statement:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Reconciliation are principal values of McMaster University Libraries. To engage meaningfully in DEIA-R, we strive to provide greater opportunities to historically marginalized or excluded groups. We encourage individuals to explain how their proposed session and their personal and professional experiences will advance diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and reconciliation goals, while broadening attendees’ perspectives. We encourage self-reflection while situating oneself and while not mandatory, extra consideration will be given to those who address these points. We champion the viewpoint that equity is everyone’s conversation and invite everyone to reflect this in their submissions.
Please consider accessibility when developing and delivering your content for TNSBC 2026. Making your material accessible to all helps everyone. Consider the following suggestions to improve accessibility for printed content (slides or posters):
Use an easy-to-read font and font size.
Ensure there is an appropriate level of contrast between your text and background and avoid using colour alone to draw attention to specific elements.
When presenting, verbally describe important charts and images.
If available, use organizational branding and templates that already conform to accessibility standards.
Here are some resources with more information on making accessible presentations and workshops:
If you have any questions about submitting a proposal, please email tnsbc26@mcmaster.ca.
If you are unsure your proposal is a good fit for TNSBC 2026, please reach out, we want to hear from you.