The 2011 4S conference will be held in Cleveland, Ohio. There is no predetermined theme for the 4S conference. Individual paper abstracts and proposals for sessions should emphasize how they will make original and timely contributions to any theme relevant to science and technology studies (STS). The 4S conference welcomes papers, session proposals, and events that are innovative in their delivery, organization, range of topics, type of public, and which bring new resources to the STS community to explore these new relations and themes. Apart from traditional research papers, the 4S conference also welcomes proposals for sessions and papers using ‘new media’ or other forms of new presentation.

Given the growing size of the 4S conferences and the desire to be as inclusive as possible, the program chair will need to make full use of the available time slots. Therefore, individuals may be listed for a paper presentation and one other role (such as session chair or discussant but not a second paper) for a maximum of two appearances.
Paper abstracts should be up to 250 words. They should include the main arguments, methodology, and their contribution to the STS literature. The title of papers should be up to 10 words. Please list five key words to assist the program chair to group individual papers into a session. In addition, identify the most suitable categories for the paper (e.g. environment, information communication technologies, gender studies, science policy, etc.).

Session proposals should be up to 250 words. They should contain a summary and rationale for the session, as well as a brief discussion of its contribution to STS. Session proposals should be organized around one-and-half-hour time slots. A typical session will contain five papers or four papers with a discussant. A minimum of three complete paper abstracts are required in order to submit a session proposal. The program chair may assign additional papers to proposed sessions with three papers. Each paper abstract in the proposed session should be up to 250 words. The title of papers should be up to 10 words.

Since 2008, the 4S has run a ‘workshop’ format. This is an opportunity for informal presentations, with presenters and other attendees seated around tables. Session organizers should indicate if they would like to be part of a workshop table. Submissions for ‘workshop’ presentations are included under the one first-authored submission limit, stated earlier.
Submission Process

Paper and session proposals are accepted through an online system. This is a separate database from the 4S membership/registration system. All presenters, including those included in session proposals, must have a user account with this system that includes name, affiliation, and contact information. Submitters can create user accounts on behalf of their co-authors and session presenters, if necessary. Anyone who has participated in a 4S meeting in the last three years should already have a user account.

Submit abstracts and session proposals now!
Calls for Session Participants

4S supports session organizers seeking participants. However, it is not practical to run all such calls in Technoscience. 4S has created a special web page for calls for session participants. Here you can submit a call and browse for suitable sessions for your paper.

Important Dates

March 15, 2011: Deadline for submissions of individual papers and session proposals.
May 1, 2011: Acceptance notification.
June 30, 2011: Preliminary program posted.
June 15 – July 15, 2011: Early registration.
September 15, 2011: Last day to book a room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Cleveland City Centre to get the reduced rate. We recommend early booking since room availability is based on a first-come, first-served basis.
September 15, 2011: All presenters must register to be included in the final program. For papers with more than one author, one presenter must register to be included in the final program.
October 1, 2011: Final program posted.

Contact Info

For general meeting information and any questions about the program, contact the 4S Program Chair, Roli Varma, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque [Email: meeting@4sonline.org] | Telephone: 1-505-2777756].
For technical assistance with the submission or registration process, contact the 4S Webmaster.