The 22nd Annual Conference on Learning Theory

Montreal, Canada, June 18-21, 2009

Submission deadline: February 13, 2009 (5:59pm PST)

The 22nd Annual Conference on Learning Theory (COLT 2009) will take
place on June 18-21, 2009, in Montreal, Canada, in coordination with
the International Conference on Machine learning (ICML) and
Uncertainty in Artificial Intelligence (UAI). We invite submissions
of papers addressing the theoretical modeling and analysis of all
aspects of machine learning and empirical inference. We strongly
support a broad definition of learning theory, including:

* Analysis of learning algorithms and their generalization ability
* Computational complexity of learning
* Bayesian analysis
* Statistical mechanics of learning systems
* Optimization procedures for learning
* Kernel Methods
* Inductive inference
* Boolean function learning
* Unsupervised and semi-supervised learning and clustering
* On-line learning and relative loss bounds
* Learning in planning and control (including reinforcement learning)
* Mathematical analysis of learning in related fields (e.g. game theory,
natural language processing, neuroscience, bioinformatics, privacy and
security, machine vision, data mining, information retrieval, etc.)

We are also interested in papers that include viewpoints that are new
to the COLT community. While the primary focus of the conference is
theoretical, papers can be strengthened by the inclusion of relevant
experimental results. We also welcome experimental and algorithmic
papers provided they are relevant to the focus of the conference by
elucidating theoretical results in learning.

**Rebuttal Phase**

Unlike previous years, we will have a rebuttal phase during the review
process. Initial reviews will be sent to authors before final
decisions have been made. Authors will have the opportunity to
comment on the PC's initial evaluation. Final acceptance/rejection
decision will be made two weeks later. More details will be provided
in a fuller description of the finalized call for papers.

Papers must be submitted electronically. Papers that have previously
appeared in journals or at other conferences, or that are being
submitted to other conferences, are not appropriate for COLT. Papers
that include work that has already been submitted for journal
publication may be submitted to COLT, as long as the papers have not
been accepted (conditionally or otherwise) for publication by February
13, 2009 and the paper is not expected to be published before the COLT
conference (June 2009).


PAPER FORMAT: Submissions should include the title, authors' names, postal and
email addresses, and a 200-word summary of the paper suitable for the conference
program. Submissions should not exceed 10 pages (including bibliography) in a
two-column format; a style file will be posted here soon. Papers should include
a clear definition of the theoretical model used and a clear description of the
results, as well as a discussion of their significance, including comparison to
other work. Submit papers electronically in pdf or ps format (detailed
instructions will be available soon on the conference website). While it is not
expected that all full proofs can be included in the paper, authors should
strive to at least present partial proofs which will enable the reviewers to
understand the main ideas and methods used. The paper should also attempt to be
as self-contained as possible.


MARK FULK AWARD: This award is for the best paper authored or coauthored by a
student. Eligible authors who wish to be considered for this prize should
indicate this on their submission's title page.


PROGRAM COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

Sanjoy Dasgupta (University of California, San Diego)
Adam Klivans (University of Texas at Austin)


LOCAL CHAIR: Shie Mannor, McGill University, Canada.

OPEN PROBLEMS SESSION: We also invite submission of open problems (see separate
call). These should be constrained to two pages. There is a shorter reviewing
period for the open problems. Accepted contributions will be allocated short
presentation slots in a special open problems session and will be allowed two
pages each in the proceedings.

INVITED SPEAKERS: TBA

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Will become available in early December at
the conference website.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Electronic submission of papers: February 13, 2009 (5:59pm PST).

Electronic submission of two-page open problems: March 13, 2009.

Initial reviews released for rebuttal phase: April 10, 2009.

Notification of acceptance or rejection: April 24, 2009.

Final submission of all papers: May 15, 2009.

Conference dates: June 18-21, 2009.