[Air-L] AoIR2021 Conference Update

[Michelle, Association of Internet Researchers]

The Association of Internet Researchers has some big news to share:

*AoIR 2021 is going virtual! And everyone’s invited!*

Due to ongoing public health concerns and travel restrictions, AoIR has
been able to renegotiate our hotel contract in Philadelphia, PA (U.S.A.).
This means that AoIR 2021 WILL BE A FULLY VIRTUAL CONFERENCE that will take
place 13-16 October 2021!

We are extending the call for papers deadline to 15 April in order to
encourage YOUR participation!

As you may know, the AoIR organization had made plans for an in-person 2021
conference in order to fulfill contractual obligations in Philadelphia, PA
(U.S.A.), and with the bitter recognition that many would be unable to
attend in person. However, we have now been able to reach new agreements
with our conference partners.

We are very grateful for the team that had been working on conference
organizing details in Philadelphia, and we are pleased that several of them
will be able to continue to provide leadership in the planning of what is
now an entirely virtual 2021 event.

We’re now forming the conference planning committee for the #AoIR 2021:
Independence conference. Would you like to help us as a volunteer for this
event? If so, please be in touch!

Here’s our new schedule:
15 Apr - Extended deadline for abstract submissions to AoIR 2021
1 June  - Conference acceptances
1 Aug - Video presentations due
1 Aug - Registration deadline

13-16 Oct - AoIR 2021

Please note that in light of this change from an in-person to a virtual
event, the call for proposals has also changed:

- We are accepting extended abstract submissions for papers and panels
only. Unfortunately, due to logistical issues we will be unable to consider
preconference proposals, or proposals for fishbowls and roundtables. As
with AoIR 2020, independently-organized preconference and satellite events
will be encouraged for the week of 4 October and publicized in the AoIR
calendar of events.

- Video presentations will be required of all accepted submissions and must
be uploaded by 1 August in order to be included in the conference program
and in our conference proceedings, Selected Papers of Internet Research
(SPIR). Specific guidelines for these video presentations will be similar
to last year, and will be sent out with conference acceptances.

We are so excited to announce this change, and to have the opportunity to
all gather, even if virtually, again. If you would like to volunteer,
please reach out to any member of the Exec (
https://aoir.org/executive-committee/). We continue to look forward to our
next in-person meeting in Dublin in the Fall of 2022.

This year the Association of Internet Researchers will be electing a new
Executive Committee. Very soon you will be receiving a call for nominations
from the current President, Prof. Lynn Schofield Clark.

We hope you will submit by 15 April and join us in October!

Your AoIR Executive Committee
Lynn Schofield Clark, President
Tama Leaver, Vice President
Axel Bruns, Immediate Past President
Kelly Quinn, Treasurer
Kat Tiidenberg, Secretary
Zoe Glatt, Grad Student Representative
Crystal Abidin, Open Seat
Fabio Giglietto, Open Seat
Erika Pearson, Open Seat
And
Adrienne Shaw, 2021 Program Chair
Michelle Gardner, Association Coordinator