CHI 98 : Call for Participation
April 18-23, 1998, Los Angeles, CA USA

Panels

Submission deadline has passed

Contents
Introduction
Types of Panels
Panel Format
Review Process
Format: Extended Abstract
Proposal
Electronic Version
Upon Acceptance
Submissions
Checklist

Proposals were due 12 September 1997.

Co-Chairs
Michel Beaudouin-Lafon, Universit de Paris Sud
Catherine Wolf, IBM T. J. Watson Research Center

Send To
Catherine Wolf
IBM T. J. Watson Research Center
30 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532
USA
Tel: +1 914 784 7728
Fax: +1 914 784 7455
Email: chi98-panels@acm.org

The aim of panels is to stimulate thought and discussion about ideas and issues of interest to the human-computer interaction community. Panels typically focus on controversial or emerging issues and they are designed to bring out the range of viewpoints on the topic through the medium of informed debate. A panel is a place where people with expertise on a topic conduct an interactive discussion that brings out the many facets of the issues. The goal is to help the audience broaden their understanding of the issues and perhaps even modify their views. In keeping with the conference application domain focus, CHI 98 particularly encourages submissions which deal with education, entertainment and health care.

Panels last 90 minutes and typically include three to five panelists plus a moderator. A discussant may be used when appropriate.

Types of Panels

Panels may be on a wide range of topics, although they should focus on the controversial aspects or unresolved issues of the topic. They are an especially appropriate format for discussing pressing issues in HCI practice and theory, emerging user trends and technologies, and social issues associated with technology.

Panels may be of many types. Some are analytic; they analyze and synthesize current practices in the various fields of HCI. Some are comparative; they compare distinct approaches,techniques and models to a particular problem, including evaluation, design and implementation. Other panels are historic; they revisit the past as a means to inform the present. We encourage the submission of new types of panels, particularly those that stimulate a high degree of interaction among the panelists and between the panelists and the audience.

This year, we particularly encourage panels that focus on issues related to the application domains of education, entertainment and health care. For example, such panels may focus on HCI issues within a domain, or the application of theory or practice from one domain to HCI in general.

Panel Format

It is important that the format of a panel be designed to enable spontaneous, interactive discussion. One aproach is to ask each panelist to speak for a short time (e.g. five minutes) simply to state the position they will be taking (without arguing the position). Then the panel fields questions posed by the moderator and later, by the audience. Another format, one that has been conducted quite successfully in the past, is a formal debate, with position statements and rebuttals, all on a strict time schedule. You are encouraged to formulate other types of formats that will similarly stimulate interaction and discussion.

Review Process

Each proposal will be independently reviewed by the members of the Panel committee. The committee is a multidisciplinary group drawn from industry and academia. We are looking for stimulating and timely issues debated by well-informed and engaging panelists. Controversy is encouraged, as are unique and diverse subjects. We will be especially interested in formats that generate interaction and discussion among panelists and with the audience; this is not the place for a series of prepared presentations.

Given that panels often depart from the usual, we encourage people who are considering organizing a panel to contact either Panel Co-Chair to discuss your ideas prior to submission. We can help you focus your ideas and highlight aspects of the proposal you may not have considered.

Panels are selected based on several criteria, including:

focus on an interesting issue that is relevant to HCI,
a topic or issue that lends itself to debate,
a format that ensures interactive discussion among panelists and with the audience,
panelists with demonstrated expertise in the topic under discussion, and
a range of views and perspectives represented on the panel.

Format

Extended Abstract

Prepare a two-page summary of the panel, suitable for publication in the CHI 98 Summary. It should include the title, names and affiliations of the panelists, an overview of the panel topic and format and a summary of each panelist's position. It must be in the Conference Publications Format.

Proposal

Prepare a 6-page proposal, including:

a list of all panel members, including names, affiliations, phone numbers, and email addresses. You should state who is the panel organizer. Each person listed must have agreed to be a member of the panel,
a description of the topic, stating the controversial aspects of the issue to be debated and their relevance to HCI,
a description of the format you will use to run the panel. You should be clear about how you will ensure interactive, spontaneous discussion among panelists rather than a series of presentations or a scripted dialogue. Also describe how you will incorporate discussion with the audience, and
a compilation of position statements. The panelists should each generate a position statement outlining their view on the panel topic and the issues it raises, as well as their qualifications to talk about the topic. Each participant's comments should be no more than half a page in length. All members must agree to the publication of these statements if the panel is accepted.

Electronic Version

Electronic versions of accepted panels will be published in the CHI 98 Electronic Publication.

Upon Acceptance

Authors will be notified of acceptance or rejection by mid-November 1997.

Summaries of accepted panels will be published in the CHI 98 Summary and the CHI 98 Electronic Publication.

The primary author of each accepted panel will receive an Author Kit, with instructions for producing camera ready and electronic materials for publication. These materials are due on 2 January 1998.

Panel organizers are expected to help panel participants prepare for participation and coordinate the contributions of the panel.

Submissions

Your submission must be in English.
Electronic and fax submissions are not accepted.
Submissions which arrive after the deadline will not be considered.
Your submission should contain no proprietary or confidential material and should cite no proprietary or confidential publications.
Responsibility for permissions to use video, audio or pictures of identifiable people rests with you, not CHI 98.
We strongly suggest the use of express mail or a courier service for speedy delivery. Customs labels should bear the words "Educational materials with no commercial value."

Checklist

Please follow the steps in this checklist to ensure completeness in your submission.

If you wish to request a mentor, please see the description of the mentoring program, and contact the Mentoring Liaison no later than 12 June 1997.
Read the conference overview.
Fill out cover pages one, two and three.
Prepare an extended abstract (two pages) in the Conference Publications Format for publication, as described above.
Prepare a proposal for review, as described above.
Collect cover pages one, two and three, the proposal, and the extended abstract, in the order given, in a packet, and make 6 copies of the packet. Use 8.5 x 11 inch or A4 paper.
Make sure each copy of the packet is stapled, not loose or held by clips.
You may include a self-addressed reply postcard which we will mail to acknowledge receipt of your submission.
Send the 6 copies of your submission packet, and the reply postcard, to the Send To address shown.

January 8, 1998
chi98-web@acm.org