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