The Halfway to the Future symposium explores the past, present, and future of themes driving key research in HCI and design. Each theme will be addressed by a dedicated panel anchored by a confirmed keynote speaker discussing one of their influential papers in light of subsequent developments:
Steve Benford, reflecting on the work Orchestrating a Mixed Reality Performance
Arts and Design-led Approaches
Bill Gaver, reflecting on the work Ambiguity as a Resource for Design
Artificial Intelligence, Humans, and Machines
Lucy Suchman (attending via video link) and Alex Taylor, reflecting on the work Human-Machine Reconfigurations: Plans and Situated Actions
Yvonne Rogers, reflecting on the work Moving on from Weiser’s Vision of Calm Computing: Engaging UbiComp Experiences
Public and Private Spaces
Christian Heath and Paul Luff, reflecting on the work Collaboration and Control: Crisis Management and Multimedia Technology in London Underground Line Control Rooms
New Approaches to Research and Design
Susanne Bødker, reflecting on the work When second wave HCI meets third wave challenges
The keynotes will be followed by presentations, drawn from submitted papers, of current related work and short future-oriented provocations and a panel discussion/Q&A seeking to shape the agenda of that research area in the years to come. The event will also incorporate an exhibition of interactive works and a poster session.
Submission Information
We invite papers of up to 6,000 words (not including references) addressing current work relating to the themes above, especially those building on or responding to the influential works to be discussed.
We also invite short papers of up to 2,000 words (not including references) looking towards the future of these themes. Papers can take the form of projected projects, design fictions, manifestos, or anything that fires your imagination. Accepted papers not chosen for panels will be invited to be presented in poster format. We will publish an edited volume of panel papers and online adjunct proceedings of papers selected for poster presentation.
For information on preparing a submission, including the templates to use, please read the submission guidance webpage. All submissions will be reviewed by at least two experts in the field and the process will be double-blind. All accepted papers will be published in the Halfway to the Future Proceedings in the ACM Digital Library, as part of the ACM International Conference Proceedings Series (ICPS).
Preparing your submission…
Please read the submission guidance on how to format and submit your papers.
Important Dates
Submission deadline (extended): Wednesday 26th June, 23:59 BST (GMT+1)
Notification: Friday 26th July
Deadline for confirmation of attendance (for panellists): Friday 23rd August
Early bird registration closes: Friday 27th September
Registration closes: Monday 18th November
Halfway to the Future is co-organised by the Mixed Reality Lab at the University of Nottingham as part of celebrations of its 20-year anniversary. Keynote speakers and respective panel themes have been chosen for their formative and ongoing influence on the lab’s work across two decades.
If you have any questions, please contact the Programme Chairs, Joel Fischer and Jocelyn Spence.
