Call for Papers Internet Research 5.0: Ubiquity? International and Interdisciplinary Conference of the Association of Internet Researchers at the University of Sussex, England, 19-22nd September 2004 Submission site opens: December 15th 2003 Deadline for submissions: February 2nd 2004 Conference Websites: http://aoir.org/2004 or http://www.sussex.ac.uk/cce/aoir The internet seems to be at once everywhere and invisible but simultaneously it structures only a fraction of the communications of the total global community. It can facilitate greater interaction, understanding and political activism; being used at the same time to exclude, destroy and exploit. The much cited ubiquity of the internet needs to be examined in both the contexts in which it is accepted and those in which it is contested. The theme of 'ubiquity?' addresses the following questions: Is the internet everywhere? How and where does the internet appear and act in technical, social, political, or cultural contexts? What does it mean to have access and who does and doesn't have it? How does the presence of the internet affect individuals, communities, families, governments, societies and nation-states? What are the implications of 'internet everywhere'? Submissions addressing these and other questions regarding the internet are welcome. Internet Research 5.0 will feature a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives on the Internet. Examining and challenging the visibility and prevalence of the Internet and Internet discourses, the conference will bring together a wide range of researchers, practitioners and scholars for the exchange of formal and informal ideas. As with previous AoIR conferences, the aim is to promote a deep, coherent and situated understanding of the Internet and connected networks. IR 5.0 will take place at the University of Sussex, in the UK, close to the historic and lively seaside City of Brighton and Hove and on the edge of the spectacular Sussex South Downs. The conference is hosted by the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Sussex in association with local partners. Submission of Proposals The Association of Internet Researchers invites paper, presentation and panel proposals on topics that address technical, social, cultural, political, pedagogical, economic, and aesthetic aspects of the internet. We welcome interdisciplinary submissions as well as submissions from within specific disciplines. We especially seek panel proposals that establish connections across disciplines, institutions, and/or continents. We also encourage creative presentations that will make use of internet technologies and artistic techniques. * Proposals for individual papers should be in the form of 500-1,000 word abstracts. * Creative presentations and demonstration projects should consist of a 500-1,000 word abstract, this should include links to illustrative materials. * Panels will generally include three to four papers or presentations. The panel organiser should submit an approximately 500 word statement describing the session topic, include abstracts of up to 500 words for each paper or presentation, and indicate that each author is willing to participate in the session. Each submission must also be accompanied by a 100-word abstract that will go into the conference proceedings if the submission is accepted. All papers, presentations and panels will be peer reviewed. If you are interested in reviewing submissions for this conference, please contact program chair Sheizaf Rafaeli at the address below. Abstracts should indicate the disciplinary or conceptual approach, theoretical orientation, methodology of the research or ideas, and the key results or hoped-for results of the research. Reference should also be made to the broader significance of the work and its relationship to existing bodies of work. Clarity of the themes, content, aims and outcomes, is of greater importance than word length. Full-length papers will be required after the conference and a selection of the highest quality papers will be published in an Annual Review (subject to authors' permission). Proposals can be for three types of contribution to the conference: papers; creative presentations; and/or panels. Each person is invited to submit a proposal for no more than 1 paper or 1 presentation. In addition you may also submit or be part of no more than a single panel. The aim is to include as wide a range of speakers as possible and to thus avoid speakers using time in more than one session. Average time allotted for a paper or creative presentation will be 15 minutes. Average time allotted for a panel will be 1 hour and 15 minutes, including discussion time. There will be additional opportunities to contribute to the conference by chairing sessions, taking part in roundtables and workshops and through audience participation. All proposals must be submitted electronically at http://www2.cddc.vt.edu/confman/ Deadlines: Submission site available: 15th December 2003 Final date for proposal submission: February 2nd 2004 Author notification: March 15th 2004 Presenter's Registration to the conference: September 1st 2004 Student Award: Completed paper: July 15th 2004 Graduate Students: Graduate students are strongly encouraged to submit proposals. They should note their student status with their submission in order to be considered for a special Student Award. If accepted in the conference, students wishing to be a candidate for the Student Award must also send a final paper by July 15th 2004. Pre-Conference Workshops Prior to the conference, there will be a limited number of pre-conference workshops, which will provide participants with in-depth, hands-on and/or creative opportunities. We invite proposals for these pre-conference workshops; local presenters are encouraged to propose workshops that will invite visiting researchers into their labs or studios or locales. Proposals should be no longer than 1000 words, and should clearly outline the purpose, methodology, structure, costs, equipment and minimal attendance required, as well as explaining its relevance to the conference as a whole. Proposals will be accepted if they demonstrate that the workshop will add significantly to the overall program in terms of thematic depth, hands on experience, or local opportunities for scholarly or artistic connections. These proposals and all inquires regarding pre-conference proposals should be submitted as soon as possible to the Conference Chair Kate O'Riordan k.s.o-riordan@sussex.ac.uk, and will be accepted up to March the 1st 2004. Notification of terms and space allocations will be sent out as soon as details are confirmed, with final acceptance required by March the 31st 2004. CONTACT INFORMATION Program Chair: Sheizaf Rafaeli, Center for the Study of the Information Society (InfoSoc) University of Haifa sheizaf@rafaeli.net All inquiries on reviewing, acceptances and programme Conference Chair: Kate O'Riordan (University of Sussex, k.s.o-riordan@sussex.ac.uk) All inquiries on Sussex conference, local sponsorship and pre-conference workshops AoIR President: Nancy Baym, University of Kansas, nbaym@ku.edu Inquiries regarding the Association of Internet Researchers and sponsorship On site conference team, aoir5@sussex.ac.uk All inquiries on location, accommodation, registration Association Website: http://aoir.org Conference Website: http://aoir.org/2004 or http://www.sussex.ac.uk/cce/aoir