IA Summit 2007—Call for Proposals

Important Dates

All session proposals & papers: October 31 2006 (closed)

Notification of acceptance: End December 2006

Pre-conference workshop materials due (for printing): early March 2007

Regular presentation materials due: early March 2007

IA Summit pre-conference workshops: 22-23 March 2007

IA Summit conference: 24-26 March 2007

Call for proposals & papers

The Information Architecture Summit is a premier gathering place for information architects and for discussion about information architecture. Everyone who touches on IA is welcome to share and learn. Last year's IA Summit attracted over 500 attendees, including beginners, experienced IAs, and people in a range of related fields.

In this call, we seek proposals for:

  • presentations - one or more people presenting on a topic)
  • panels - discussion between a small group of people, co-ordinated by a moderator - each presenter offering a perspective on a topic
  • research - one or more people presenting original contributions to the research, theory, and practice of information architecture
  • pre-conference workshops - 1/2 or full day workshops available to Summit participants at additional charge
  • posters - visual presentations that are informally presented in a common room or circulation area

All proposals can address core IA principles, emerging trends and technologies, or the business of IA. We are also interested in cross-disciplinary contributions to the practice of IA from related fields such as library science, user experience, interaction design, and user centered design. Sessions may address core IA skills or advanced IA topics.

We encourage submissions from practitioners, academics, and students. We also love hearing from developers, business analysts, managers, and others who work with information architects and/or information architecture.

We also seek research papers. Submissions in this format should make empirical or theoretical contributions to information architecture. You do not have to be affiliated with an academic institution to submit a research paper.

Theme & topics

This year's theme is 'Enriching IA' and we wish to examine three things:

  • Rich information: Share your experiences dealing with rich and complex information
  • Rich interaction: The internet is rapidly moving towards a more interactive environment. How does this affect what we do?
  • Rich relationships: There are two aspects to this - social computing radically affects how we work with information; and the IA Summit is a great place to catch up with friends and make new ones

Suggested topic areas include, but need not be limited to:

  • Core IA skills, including tools & techniques
  • IA in practice
  • Business and IA
  • IA and other disciplines
  • Academic research and theory
  • Future directions and challenges

Note: Marketing pitches will not be accepted.

Session types

Please note: our conference submission system uses a different URL for each session type. Please use the appropriate submission system by following the link in each section below.

Regular Program Sessions - Presentations

Regular program sessions will be offered during the three days of the Summit. A session can be a presentation by one or more speakers or another format as suggested by the submitter. It can present a case study, fundamental IA principles, how to, big idea, theoretical discussion, new topic, a new way of looking at an existing topic, or other material.

Sessions are typically 45 minutes, but another length can be proposed if appropriate.

Successful submissions will be judged on the following attributes:

  • Contribution to IA practice, theory and community
  • Value and appeal to conference attendees
  • Original, inspirational or thought-provoking content

All submissions must be made via our conference submission system (presentations)(closed). When submitting a proposal for a regular session, please include:

  • Overview Information (in the proposal form)
    • Title of session
    • Name of Presenter(s)
    • Type of presentation - case study, IA fundamentals, how to, big idea, theoretical discussion, new topic, new way of looking at an existing topic
    • Full contact information on the person submitting, who will be the sole contact person regarding the proposal
    • Summary or Abstract (up to 500 words)
  • Proposal description (as an attachment):
    • Description of Session (1 to 3 pages)
    • Core IA-related issues addressed
    • Suggested session length
    • Type of session
    • Keywords/tags/topics (see the proposal template for more details)
  • Speaker details (as an attachment):
    • Speaker Biographies (1 or 2 paragraphs each).

Note: All proposals will undergo blind peer review. Please anonymize your submission by ensuring there are no identifying details in the abstract or proposal description. Please submit bio information as a separate document.

  • Additional Materials - one file with materials as needed (create a .zip file if you need to include more than one file)

Templates for regular session proposals and speaker details contain list of information required. You do not have to use these templates, but must provide information for each heading in the template, and must not include speaker details in the same document as the proposal description. These templates are in .doc format, please contact us if you would like an alternate format.

Presentation submissions are now closed

Regular Program Sessions - Panels

Panels are discussions between a small group of people, co-ordinated by a moderator. Great panels give different perspectives on a topic; the speakers are aware of each other's work and views, and they refute or support those views in their own talks; there's real interchange, and the chance to go in-depth very quickly. They are time-efficient and offer the ability for the audience to participate.

Feedback from previous IA Summits has highlighted that a lack of organization, focus and preparation has affected the quality and effectiveness of some (not all) panel presentations - proposers this year should be aware that the acceptance criteria for panels has been made far more rigorous.

Panels are between 45 and 90 minutes.

Successful submissions will be judged on the following attributes:

  • Contribution to IA practice, theory and community
  • Value and appeal to conference attendees
  • Original, inspirational or thought-provoking content
  • How well suited the topic is to a panel discussion
  • Expertise of the moderator and panellists

All submissions must be made via our conference submission system (panels) (closed). When submitting a proposal for a panel, please include:

  • Overview Information (in the proposal form)
    • Title of session
    • Name of Moderator and panellists
    • Full contact information on the person submitting, who will be the sole contact person regarding the proposal
    • Summary or Abstract (up to 500 words)
  • Proposal description (as an attachment):
    • Goal of the panel
    • Core IA-related issues addressed
    • Suggested session length
    • A complete list of panelists who have agreed to join
    • A short statement from each panellist outlining their position on the proposed subject
  • Additional Materials - one file with materials as needed (create a .zip file if you need to include more than one file)

A template for panel proposals contains a list of information required. You do not have to use these templates, but must provide information for each heading in the template. This templates is in .doc format, please contact us if you would like an alternate format.

Panel submissions are now closed

Regular Program Sessions - Research Papers

Research papers provide an opportunity to present original contributions to the research, theory, and practice of information architecture. Submissions should demonstrate an awareness of relevant literature, both empirical and theoretical, while clearly indicating the importance of the research to IA practice.

At the proposal stage we need a full paper of between 2000 and 5000 words. Your paper will undergo blind peer-review and acceptance will be based on this initial submission. Accepted papers can be revised until mid-February 2007. For this reason, preliminary work can be submitted so long as the research will be completed by the time the final paper is due. Please indicate if your submission is based on preliminary findings.

Although we are seeking original research contributions, this does not mean research contributions must strictly conform to the traditional format for academic research papers. The exact nature and format of the submission lies with the author. However, regardless of the format, research papers should still meet accepted academic standards for quality, clarity, validity, and originality.

For research papers:

  • All research proposals will undergo blind peer-review. Please anonymize your submission by ensuring there are no identifying details in the abstract or actual paper. Author information will be collected separately when you complete the submission form (the submission process is described below). If your submission is accepted, the final paper will include this information.
  • Authors of accepted papers are expected to present their work in a presentation session during the conference. Presentation sessions are generally 45 minutes, but another length can be proposed if appropriate.
  • Accepted papers will be made publicly available on the conference website.

All submissions must be made via our conference submission system (research). When submitting a proposal for a research paper, please include:

  • Overview Information (in the proposal form)
    • Title of session

  • Name of author(s)
    • List of all authors for the paper, including name, email address, and affiliated institution/organization.
    • Contact information for the author submitting the paper. This author will be the sole contact person regarding the paper.
    • Summary or Abstract (up to 300 words).
  • Full paper (as an attachment):
    • Research papers may be submitted in the following formats: Microsoft Word, PDF, Postscript, or RTF.
    • Submissions should be appropriately referenced in APA style as described in the Publication Manual of the AmericanPsychological Association (5th ed., 2001).
    • Your paper should include a title, abstract, and the full text. Papers should be single-spaced, no smaller than 10pt font.
    • Although there is no formal template for research papers, we encourage you to follow the formatting guidelines for the ASIS&T Annual Meeting, but this is not strictly required. The ASIS&T guidelines can be found here and here.
  • Speaker details (as an attachment):
    • Speaker Biographies (1 or 2 paragraphs each).

Questions about research submissions can be directed to the chair of the research track, Karl Fast <kfast@uwo.ca>.

Submit a proposal for a research paper

Pre-Conference Workshops

Pre-conference Workshops are available to Summit participants at additional charge. They are typically one half or one full-day, and take place during the two days before the regular Summit program begins.

Pre-conference workshops provide an intensive environment for concentrated learning. They may offer core or advanced skills development; in-depth introductions to new areas of practice, research, or theory; or deliver content in a unique format. Finalized Workshop presentations and handout materials are due early March.

IA Summit attendees expect a lot from pre-conference workshops. They expect to be inspired, learn in-depth about a topic, and have practical skills & knowledge to use later. Most prefer an intense half or full-day to a relaxed full-day workshop.

Successful submissions will be judged on the following attributes:

  • Strong relationship to IA or appeal to information architects
  • Likelihood of attracting attendees
  • A workshop structure that maximises learning ability
  • A clearly demonstrated understanding of the topic and ability to teach it

All submissions must be made via our conference submission system (pre-conference workshops) (closed). When submitting a proposal for a pre-conference workshop, please include:

  • Overview Information (in the proposal form)
    • Title of session
    • Name of Presenter(s)
    • Full contact information on the person submitting, who will be the sole contact person regarding the proposal
    • Summary or Abstract (up to 500 words)
  • Workshop description (as an attachment):
    • Description of workshop
    • Learning objectives
    • Justification for a pre-conference
    • How will the workshop be conducted
    • Core IA-related issues
    • Audiences
    • Where & when the session has been previously presented
    • Restrictions or conditions
    • Infrastructure/material requirements
    • Samples of handouts/takeaways
    • Speaker details
  • Additional materials - one file with materials as needed (create a .zip file if you need to include more than one file)

A template for workshop proposals contains a list of information required. You do not have to use this template, but must provide information for each heading above (this template is in .doc format, please contact us if you would like an alternate format).

Pre-conference workshop submissions are now closed

Poster Sessions

Posters are presented in a common room or circulation area, usually over a 90 minute period, during which Summit participants circulate and talk to individual presenters in an informal manner. The posters then remain available to Summit participants for as long as possible. Handouts, interactive elements, and multimedia are common components of poster presentations.

We are interested in posters that provide visual demonstrations of information architecture ideas, deliverables, and accomplishments. We encourage work by students, developers, and designers. We welcome work of a specialized or experimental nature; work concerning new features, design elements, methods, or processes; and works in progress. The spirit of the Poster Session is one of inclusiveness. Even if you have never presented at a conference or poster session before, if you follow the submission requirements and have an original, interesting proposal, then your poster will have a good chance of being selected.

Each poster presenter or team is provided with a table for materials and a display space of approximately 3.5 x 7.5 feet (100 x 225 cm). Most people find that a poster of approximately 20 x 30 inches (50 x 75 cm ) is a good minimum size. Presenters are required to be available at their posters during the poster session period.

Final posters are not due until the Summit begins; however, a PDF of the final poster will be required by March 5, 2006 for posting on the Summit website.

All submissions must be made via our conference submission system (posters) (closed). When submitting a proposal for a poster, please include:

  • Overview Information (in the proposal form)
    • Title of poster
    • Name of presenter(s)
    • Full contact information on the person submitting, who will be the sole contact person regarding the proposal
    • Summary or Abstract (up to 500 words)
  • Poster details (as an attachment)
    • Description of poster (2 to 5 pages, including mock-up)
    • Context of the work
    • One or two innovative points
  • Mock-up or fairly accurate sketch of proposed poster (as an attachment)

Presentation submissions are now closed

Other session types

If you have an idea for a different type of session, such as a field visit, interactive competition or something entirely new, please contact us to discuss how to submit your idea.

For presenters

Presenters at regular Summit sessions (other than Poster presenters) receive registration to the Summit at cost (around $200). Pre-conference workshops are offered at additional charge to Summit participants, and workshop presenters are compensated according to the number of workshop registrants, unless otherwise negotiated.

We will notify presenters of successful and unsuccessful submissions toward the end of December 2006. A presenter's guide will be provided to help you maximise the success of your presentation.

Contact us

Contact ASIS&T or Donna Maurer (conference chair) - ia07(at)maadmob(dot)net.