ACM Interactive Surfaces and Spaces (ACM ISS 2018), formerly known as the ACM International Conference on Interactive Tabletops and Surfaces (ITS), is the premier venue for research in the design, development and use of new and emerging interactive surface technologies and interactive spaces.

ACM ISS 2018 welcomes original, high-quality research and industry contributions that advance the state-of-the-art in the area of interactive surfaces, interactive spaces and novel interface technologies. Beyond the traditional scope of the conference – i.e., interactive tabletops, large displays, multi-display systems, mobile and mini devices – we also encourage contributions focused on the use of space and technology around us to bridge the gap between our digital and everyday lives, such as interactive 3D spaces, on-body sensors or interactive architecture. We also encourage contributions focused on understanding individual and group needs related to interactive surfaces and interactive spaces, and the impact on individuals and groups of these technologies. We embrace innovations in a wide variety of areas including design, software, hardware, understanding of use, and applications or deployments of such interactive systems.

Topic Areas
The conference welcomes contributions on a wide range of topics relating to interactive surfaces and spaces as well as novel interface technologies, including (but not limited to):

- Real-world applications of interactive surfaces and/or spaces in specific domains (public spaces, education, science, business, entertainment, health, art, homes, etc.)
- Large display interfaces and multi-display environments
- Gesture-based interfaces (hands, finger, body)
- Multi-modal interfaces
- Tangible user interfaces
- Novel interaction techniques and paradigms
- Interaction with mobile and body-worn devices
curved, sand, water, ...
- Interactive 3D spaces (Mixed Reality and Augmented Reality, mid-air displays, ...)
- Large scale and outdoor interactive spaces (projected interfaces, drones, ...)
- Interactive architecture
- Beyond traditional surfaces: shape-changing and actuated surfaces, body-related
- Interactive information visualization/data presentation
- Software engineering methods and frameworks
- Social aspects and protocols related to interacting with surfaces and spaces
- Interactive surfaces and spaces that support group work or social interaction
- Hardware, including sensing and input technologies with novel capabilities, and results from maker communities
- Human-centered design and methodologies related to interactive surfaces and spaces
- Evaluations of interactive surfaces and/or spaces in specific domains (public spaces, education, science, business, entertainment, health, art, homes, etc.)

Paper Submissions
We invite paper submissions of papers with variable length (from 4 pages to a max. of 10 pages *excluding references*) of two possible types: academic and application (read on for an explanation of the difference). Paper length should be proportional to its contribution. A new idea presented in a compact format is more likely to be accepted than the same idea in a long format. Papers shorter than 4 pages or longer than 10 pages (excluding references) will not be considered.

All papers must be submitted as a single PDF file in the ACM SIGCHI format (2015 Paper and Notes version). When appropriate, authors are also highly encouraged to submit supplementary materials such as video or data. All submissions should be anonymized for double-blind review. See the ISS 2018 website for details on anonymizing papers and supplemental materials, as well as for details on submitting papers to the submission system.

Papers will undergo a high-quality peer-review process by a committee of recognized experts in order to be presented at the ISS conference, be included in the conference proceedings, and be archived in the ACM Digital Library. ACM ISS is ranked as an A conference according to the CORE Conference Ranking. ISS does not accept submissions that were previously published in formally reviewed publications or that are concurrently submitted elsewhere. All papers, regardless of submission length, go through the same rigorous review process.

For more details on academic and application papers see: Academic Papers and Application Papers sections below.

Academic Papers
Academic papers must present original, innovative, and forward-looking research. This kind of paper corresponds to the standard scientific track of most HCI conferences. In addition to innovative systems, interaction techniques and studies, we are also open to surveys and other work that discuss the philosophy, trends and community aspects of academic research in interactive surfaces and spaces.

Application Papers
Application papers are open to industrial and academic authors, and will successfully demonstrate how surface and spatial interaction can be applied to real world problems beyond the theoretical or research context, but without necessarily including original software, hardware, interaction techniques, or a formal study. For example, industry members can submit papers to share customer outcomes and iterative improvements over next-best alternatives. For application papers, reviewers will emphasize the connection between the real-world domain and the technology used. This connection may for instance concern a challenging domain, features of a system crucial for the real-world use context, a special design process, practical issues in implementation or deployment, or new business opportunities.

Application papers are published in the same format as academic papers (will be presented during the main conference program, will be archived in the ACM Digital Library which provides free access through its Author-Izer service, and are free to publish), although they are reviewed through a slightly different process based on a rubric that considers the Real-world Application, Value Hypothesis, Design Process and Principles, and Next Best Alternative (see the conference website for more details).

Review Process
All papers will be reviewed by at least two external reviewers and a member of the program committee. After the review cycle a submission will receive either a "Conditional Accept" or "Reject" decision. Some papers might be invited to do significant revisions, through a “shepherding” process whereby an Program Committee member will guide the author(s) through a set of required changes before final acceptance is offered by the Program Committee. Please do not submit extended abstracts or incomplete papers. As in the past, submit fully-completed, relevant, and publishable papers only. Incomplete, off-topic, or otherwise non-competitive submissions will be desk-rejected without review.

Upon Acceptance:
All accepted papers *must be presented as an oral presentation* at the conference, by one of the authors of the paper. The presenting author must register for the full conference.

In accordance with SIGCHI guidelines, ISS 2018 will have a “Best of ISS” awards program for accepted papers. Best paper awards will be awarded to papers in both the academic and application paper categories, and papers from either category will be considered for honorary mention awards. The program committee will nominate papers for these awards. In addition, we will continue to award a paper from the ITS/ISS conference series with a 10-year impact award.

Paper Submission Information

Submission Formatting and Length:
- All papers must be submitted as a single PDF file in the ACM SIGCHI format (2015 Paper and Notes version).
- 4-10 pages (excluding references) in the conference template format for both submission categories (Academic and Application Papers).
- Papers of either submissions category (Academic or Application) can be 4 pages to a max. of 10 pages excluding references. There are no page restrictions on the Reference section included at the end of the paper.

Confidentiality of submitted material will be maintained. Upon acceptance, the titles, authorship, and abstracts of papers will be published online in the advance program. Submissions should contain no information or material that will be proprietary or confidential at the time of publication, and should cite no publication that will be proprietary or confidential at publication time.

Other Submission Types
ACM ISS 2018 also has the following submission categories, see conference website for respective deadlines:
- Posters
- Demos
- Tutorials
- Workshops
- Doctoral Symposium

Program Chairs
Kentaro Fukuchi, Meiji University, Japan
Stacey Scott, University of Guelph, Canada
Diego Martinez Plasencia, University of Sussex, UK
email: papers2018@iss.acm.org