Panels

Panels stimulate thought and discussion about ideas and issues of interest to the human-computer interaction community. They focus on controversial or emerging issues and are designed to explore the range of viewpoints on a topic. A panel is a place where people with expertise on a topic conduct an interactive discussion that brings out the many facets of the issues. The goal is to help the audience broaden their understanding of the issues and perhaps even modify their views. Panels last 90 minutes and typically include three to five panelists plus a moderator. A discussant may be used when appropriate.

Types of Panels
Panels may be on a wide range of topics, although they should focus on the controversial aspects or unresolved issues of the topic. They are an especially appropriate format for discussing pressing issues in HCI practice and theory, emerging user trends and technologies, and social issues associated with technology.

Panels may be of many types. Some are analytic; they analyze and synthesize current practices in the various fields of HCI. Some are comparative; they compare distinct approaches, techniques, and models to a particular problem including evaluation, design, and implementation. Other panels are historic; they revisit the past as a means to inform the present. Panels should target a specific audience and submissions need to identify this audience (e.g. newcomers to HCI, practitioners, researchers, etc.). We encourage the submission of new types of panels, particularly those that stimulate a high degree of interaction among the panelists and between the panelists and the audience.

Panel Format
It is important that the format of a panel be designed to enable spontaneous, interactive discussion. One approach is to limit each panelist to a 5 minute position statement presentation. Then the panel takes questions posed by the moderator, and later by the audience. Another format, one that has been conducted quite successfully in the past, is a formal debate, with position statements and rebuttals, all on a strict time schedule. You are strongly encouraged to formulate other formats that stimulate interaction and discussion.

Review Process
Each proposal will be independently reviewed by a multidisciplinary group drawn from industry and academia. We are looking for stimulating and timely issues debated by well informed and engaging panelists. Controversy is encouraged, as are unique and diverse subjects. We will be especially interested in formats that generate interaction and discussion among panelists and with the audience; this is not the place for a series of prepared presentations.

This year panels will have a two-step review process. The first review will address the organizer's vision for the panel and the second step will review the panel's feasibility.

Vision Review. This will assess the panel's importance to the HCI community and its relevance to the CHI 2000 theme. These reviews will be used to identify the most interesting and thought-provoking panel concepts. At this stage, therefore, it will not be critical that all the panelists have been identified or confirmed.

Feasibility Review. Panels that meet the requirements of the vision review will then be examined for the feasibility of producing the panel and ensuring appropriate audience participation. At the beginning of the feasibility review a member of the Panels review committee will be assigned to each panel to work with the organizer to further develop the vision (if necessary) as well as confirm the identity and commitment of the panelists. Commitment from the panelists (in the form of a brief position statement) will be required by 3 November 1999.

Submission Format
Submissions for CHI 2000 Panels must include a one-page description and further information of up to two pages. The submission must be received by 13 September 1999.

Description
The description of the panel is a one-page document in the Conference Publications Format. This should make clear the vision, the intended audience, and the controversial aspects of the issue and its relevance to HCI and to the CHI 2000 theme. This description is used for the Vision Review. We strongly prefer an additional electronic submission as a PDF file by email to the Send To address shown. This is optional, but will greatly assist the reviewing process. Prepare the electronic version of the description following the instructions in Electronic submissions.

Additional Information
This is a document of up to two additional pages describing likely panelists (providing names and contact information where appropriate), the planned format for audience participation, and any other information which may help the review committee evaluate the vision.

Upon Acceptance
Organizers will be notified of final acceptance or rejection by 7 November 1999. Panel organizers are expected to coordinate the contributions of the panel participants and help them prepare for the conference.

Extended Abstract
A two-page extended abstract of accepted panels will be published in the CHI 2000 Extended Abstracts. The primary author of each accepted panel will receive an Author Kit with instructions for producing a camera-ready extended abstract for publication. The abstract is due by 13 December 1999. This abstract should include the title of the panel, the names and affiliations of the panelists, keywords, the vision description from the original submission, and a summary of each panelist's position.

Submissions

• Your submission must be in English.
• Submissions will not be accepted by fax or electronically without hardcopy.
• Submissions which arrive after the deadline will not be considered.
• Your submission should contain no proprietary or confidential material and should cite no proprietary or confidential publications.
• Responsibility for permissions to use video, audio or pictures of identifiable people rests with you, not CHI 2000.
• We strongly suggest the use of express mail or a courier service for speedy delivery. Customs labels should bear the words "Educational materials with no commercial value."

Checklist
Please perform the activities in this checklist to ensure completeness in your submission.

• Read the Conference Overview and Submitting to CHI.
• Fill out Cover Pages One, Two, and Three. We strongly encourage use of the electronic versions.
• Prepare a one-page description of the panel in the Conference Publications Format.
• Create a PDF version of your description if possible.
• Prepare the further information for review, as described above.
• Collect Cover Page One, Cover Page Two, Cover Page Three, the description and additional information, in the order given, in a packet.
• Make 6 copies of the packet.
• Use 8.5 x 11 inch or A4 paper.
• Make sure each copy of the packet is stapled, not loose or held by clips
• Send the 6 copies of your submission packet to:
  Jean Scholtz,
  DARPA,
  Information Technology Office,
  3701 North Fairfax Dr.,
  Arlington, VA
  22203-1714
  USA
  
• Send the electronic version of the extended abstract by email to chi2000-panels@acm.org.
• You may include a stamped, self-addressed reply postcard, which we will mail to acknowledge receipt of your submission.