[Air-L] Call for hosting proposals - first joint CEPE-ETHICOMP conferences, June-July 2014

[Charles Ess]

Dear AoIRists,
With the usual apologies for duplicates and cross-postings, please send this
along to potentially interested colleagues and/or institutions.
==
Call for Proposals: Conference hosting, first joint CEPE-ETHICOMP
conferences, June-July 2014
 
Important dates:
Expressions of interest due: March 31, 2013
Full proposals due: May 31, 2013
 
The Organizing Committee for CEPE / ETHICOMP´14:
Charles Ess (University of Oslo; President, INSEIT), Conference Chair
<c.m.ess at media.uio.no>
Shalini Kesar (Southern Utah University); Programme Chair
<skesar at gmail.com>
Elizabeth Buchanan (University of Wisconsin-Stout; Executive Director,
INSEIT) <buchanane at uwstout.edu>
Bernd Carsten Stahl (De Montfort University; Chair, ETHICOMP Steering
Committee) <bstahl at dmu.ac.uk>
 
Direct submissions to:
Charles Ess, Conference Chair: <c.m.ess at media.uio.no>
 
Background
Since 1995 the ETHICOMP conference series has provided a forum to discuss
the ethical and social issues surrounding Information and Communication
Technology. Over 900 papers have been presented at 12 conferences by
individuals from all parts of the world. But ETHICOMP is more than this ­ it
is an interdisciplinary community dedicated to exploring issues and seeking
ways forward. The next ETHICOMP conference will take place in June 2013 in
Kolding, Denmark (see
<http://www.sdu.dk/en/Om_SDU/Institutter_centre/Idk/ethicomp2013>)
 
The CEPE (Computer Ethics: Professional Enquiries) conferences are
international fora promoting dialogue between moral philosophy and the field
of information and communication technology (ICT).  They are sponsored by
the International Society for Ethics in Information Technology (INSEIT),
founded in 2000 with a focus on the ethical issues in and surrounding ICT.
The next CEPE conference will take place in Lisbon in July 2013. (see
<http://www.cepe2013.com/>
In the summer of 2014 (June/July), the ETHICOMP and CEPE conferences will
hold their first joint conferences.
 
While each conference series has developed its distinctive culture,
identity, and primary areas of focus ­ both conferences have established
traditions of fostering interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue
concerning important ethical issues shaping the information society. Both
conferences clearly share common interests in ethics and computing. Both
conferences maintain a high academic standard: contributions are peer
reviewed, published in conference proceedings, and sometimes inspire journal
special issues.  
In light of these shared interests and purposes, we have agreed to hold our
2014 conferences jointly ­ ideally, at the same physical location, with
perhaps some overlapping conference experiences (e.g., a shared keynote,
reception, and/or conference track).   By doing so, we anticipate that the
interdisciplinary goals of both organizations will be met even more
powerfully and enjoyably. At the same time, we hope to realize some
economies of scale through such an approach, thereby making more efficient
use of increasingly scarce resources.
(Each conference typically runs for ca. 2 to 2.5 days.  For planning
purposes, we are beginning with the assumption of joint conferences taking
place over 4-5 days, in either mid-to-late June or early-to-mid July, 2014,
depending on local logistics, etc.)
 
Invitation
We seek expressions of interest and/or proposals from individuals and/or
institutions interested in hosting CEPE-ETHICOMP¹14 and taking primary
responsibility for local organization and conference logistics.
 
The proposal should contain the following headings:
    Name and contact detail of lead individual
    Name and short description of host organization
    Prior experience in hosting and organizing conferences
    Clear statement of support from the host organization(s) ­ including,
e.g., in-kind contributions of conference venue, AV/IT technical support,
and so forth
   Initial suggestions and ideas regarding accommodation possibilities,
including budget alternatives for graduate students; hospitality
arrangements (e.g., receptions, conference dinners, etc); and other
logistical support (e.g., available public transit, nearby international
airport(s), etc.)
 
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact any member of the Organizing
Committee during the preparation of their applications.
 
Tasks
The successful applicants will work with the conference Organizing
Committee, Conference Chair, and Programme Chair during the preparation of
the conferences.  Their main tasks will be:
Preparation of venue
Preparation of schedule (in collaboration with Programme chair)
Organisation of accommodation and social programme, including requisite
transportation arrangements
Development of the budget for the conference
Dialogue with the Organizing Committee and Programme Chair regarding the
development of conference tracks, themes, track chairs, etc.
 
Selection Criteria
The Organizing Committee will review proposals in light of:
 
advance indication of institutional support on the part of the individual(s)
putting forward the proposal
a geographical location that has not recently been represented as a
conference location
ease of access to the conference venue/location in terms of easy and
economic forms of transportation
value for money, i.e. ability to keep conference cost low for participants
a large enough venue to hold the prospective numbers of attendees (estimated
between 120-180 total)
a team of both younger scholars ­ including graduate students ­ and more
senior scholars, with interests in ethics and ICT as well as in effective
organization of all logistical aspects of the conference (e.g., hosting,
rooms and bookings, associated conference proceedings, etc.).
 
Those interested in submitting a proposal for hosting are encouraged to
contact Charles Ess and/or any other member of the Organizing Committee with
any questions, requests for clarification, etc.

Many thanks in advance,

Charles Ess
Associate Professor in Media Studies
Department of Media and Communication

Lifetime member, Association of Internet Researchers

Director, Centre for Research on Media Innovations
<http://www.hf.uio.no/imk/english/research/center/media-innovations/>

University of Oslo 
P.O. Box 1093 Blindern
NO-0317 
Oslo Norway
email: charles.ess at media.uio.no