********************* CALL FOR PAPERS *********************

5th IFIP International Conference on eParticipation (IFIP ePart2013)
17-19 September 2013, Koblenz, Germany
www.epart-conference.org
 (Co-located with the 12th IFIP EGOV 2013 and the major German Computer Society’s Informatik 2013)

ePart aims to bring together researchers of distinct disciplines in order to present and discuss advances of eParticipation research. As the field of eParticipation is multidisciplinary in nature, ePart provides an excellent opportunity for researchers and practitioners with different disciplinary backgrounds to share and discuss current research on foundations, theories, methods, tools and innovative applications of eParticipation.  ePart also provides a fruitful ground to nurture and plan future cooperation.
The conference also provides an excellent platform for those who wish to learn about, or update themselves on research advances in eParticipation, understand how other groups are applying advanced tools and techniques, and exchange ideas with leading international experts in the field.
ePart2013 is organized by members of IFIP Working Group 8.5 and it is supported by a multidisciplinary programme committee from all over the globe.

Scope

The scope of ePart 2013 covers the whole range of research in eParticipation. Its principal aim is to review research advances in both social and technological scientific domains, seeking to demonstrate new theories, concepts, methods and styles of eParticipation with the support of innovative ICT.
The fifth ePart conference focuses on, but is not limited to, the following topics:
•    The Research landscape, directions, foundations, theories and methods
•    Advances in particular eParticipation areas such as: online deliberation and discourse, eConsultation, ePolling, eLegislation, eElectioneering, eCampaigning, eVoting, social networking
•    Advances in policy making using policy modelling, simulation, impact assessment and visualisation methods and tools
•    The role of Web 2.0 and social media in eParticipation research and practice
•    Innovative tools and technologies for various applications and areas of eParticipation
•    Findings from comparative analyses of eParticipation practices
•    Impact assessment and public value considerations of eParticipation on real world decision making
•    eParticipation projects: design, implementation, evaluation, quality and impact

ePart is closely aligned with IFIP EGOV 2013 (www.egov-conference.org) and with the EGOV community. In 2013, both conferences are also co-located with the major German Computer Society’s Conference Informatik 2013 (www.informatik2013.de). Participants registering for one conference get admission to all co-located conferences).

Submission Guidelines

The conference allows for four distinct types of submissions:
•    Research papers (max 12 pages, published in LCNS Springer)
•    Ongoing research and innovative projects papers (max 8 pages, published GI LNI)
•    Workshops and panels on pertinent issues (2 pages)
•    Poster proposals (2 pages)
•    PhD colloquium submissions – in cooperation with eGovPoliNet (www.policy-community.eu)

Completed research papers: Papers in this category deal with completed research. They should have a strong focus on scientific rigour and may be a maximum of 12 pages. Papers in this track will be peer reviewed for rigour, relevance, originality and clarity of presentation. Abstracts or incomplete papers will not be accepted.
On-going research papers: These papers describe novel concepts, works-in-progress, or other ideas and issues that are not currently suitable for a completed research paper. They may be a maximum of 8 pages. Papers in this section will also be peer reviewed, but the focus is on relevance more than scientific rigour.
Workshops and Panels: Proposals for workshops and panels (2 pages) should include rationale, objectives, expected outcomes, approach to audience participation.
Posters: Proposals for posters (2 pages) will not be blind reviewed. Authors of accepted submissions are expected to bring their posters which will be exposed to the general audience at the welcome reception on Tuesday.
PhD Colloquium Submissions: Prior to the conference (Sunday, Sep 15, 2013), a PhD student colloquium will be held jointly with EGOV 2013 and eGovPoliNet project (www.policy-community.eu) providing an international forum for doctoral students under the guidance of senior scholars for presenting their work, networking opportunities and cross-disciplinary inspiration.

ePart papers must contain original material not previously published or currently submitted elsewhere. Paper submissions should be anonymous and follow the relevant templates. Submissions are only possible through the conference’s management system. As this year, ePart will be co-located with Informatik 2013 and all administrative organisation will be run through a unique team, the submission works through one unique system available at https://www.conftool.pro/informatik2013/ in English and German. More details are provided at the conference’s website (http://www.epart-conference.org/). 

Important Dates

Submission of papers:  15 March 2013
Submission of workshop/panel proposals:  15 May 2013
Submissions to PhD colloquium:  15 May 2013
Notification of acceptance for papers:  30 April 2013
Notification of acceptance for workshops/panels:  30 May 2013
Camera-ready papers of completed research:  31 May 2013
Camera-ready papers of ongoing research, workshop and poster contributions to be published with abstracts in the proceedings:  15 June 2013

Publication

All accepted completed research papers will be published by Springer Verlag (LNCS). Ongoing research and innovation projects papers will be published by GI LNI. Outstanding research papers from the conference might be selected for further development and publication in a special issue of a relevant journal.

Conference Chairs

Efthimios Tambouris, University of Macedonia, Greece
Ann Macintosh, Leeds University, United Kingdom
Maria Wimmer, University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany

The Programme Committee members are listed on the conference website under Organisation.

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