DEADLINE: May 7, 2007 WORKSHOP: June 28, 2007 Workshop for 3rd Annual Communities and Technologies Conference Public Practices, Social Software: Examining social practices in networked publics Description: (abbreviated; full description on website) This full-day workshop proposes to bring together researchers interested in studying social software. We use this term loosely to include social network sites (e.g., Cyworld, MySpace, orkut, and Facebook), contemporary online dating services (e.g., Friendster, Spring Street Personals, Match.com), blogging services (e.g., LiveJournal, Xanga, Blogger), tagging tools (e.g. del.icio.us, Digg) and media sharing sites (e.g., YouTube, Flickr). Although the functionality of these sites differs greatly, there are some common features: a user-generated profile, visible linkages between users, public communication forums (such as message boards or comments), and persistent traces of user behavior. Although we intend to appeal to broad range of researchers, we expect that we will primarily draw the attention of those studying social network sites. At the same time, we recognize that there is a lot of crossover between social network sites and the broader realm of social software. We are hoping that cross-pollination would be helpful to both. While we are aware of and have access to dozens of researchers interested in social network sites, we are not certain of the number of researchers looking at other forms of social software. Activities: This workshop will have two parts. The first half will focus on presentations and the second half will involve small group breakouts. Those who apply to this workshop and are accepted will be given a presentation slot. In order to make this workshop more accessible to attendees of the conference, the presentation section will be open to observers. In the afternoon, only those who have been pre-selected will be allowed to participate. Those interested in being a part of the second half must apply to the workshop. Workshop Goals and Application Process: The goals of this workshop are to enable cross-fertilization among researchers studying related technologies. Participants will be exposed to new ideas, methodological approaches, and theories. We will try to complicate the ways in which people are engaging with different features. To submit an application: Please send the following to all three organizers (dmb [at] sims.berkeley.edu , nellison [at] msu.edu , scott.golder [at] hp.com). * A brief biography of approximately 150 words * A 400-500 word research statement addressing your research project, methods, findings, and future research questions and goals * 3 research questions about social software which you find especially provocative and engaging. These should be questions that you'd like to discuss with other researchers and practitioners. Workshop homepage: http://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/~dmb/ct-sns/ Conference homepage: http://ebusiness.tc.msu.edu/cct2007/ Workshop Organizers: * danah boyd, University of California-Berkeley * Nicole Ellison, Michigan State University * Scott Golder, HP Labs Deadlines: * Workshop proposals: May 7, 2007 * Decisions on participants: May 21, 2007 * Workshop date: June 28, 2007