4th ACM Web Science Conference (WebSci’12)
June 22-24, 2012, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

Call for Papers

Web Science embraces the study of the Web as a vast information network of people and communities. It also includes the study of people and communities using the digital records of user activity mediated by the Web. An understanding of human behavior and social interaction can contribute to our understanding of the Web, and data obtained from the Web can contribute to our understanding of human behavior and social interaction. Accordingly, Web Science involves analysis and design of Web architecture and applications, as well as studies of the people, organizations, and policies that shape and are shaped by the Web.

To address these diverse goals, the Web Science conference is inherently interdisciplinary, integrating computer and information sciences, communication, linguistics, sociology, psychology, economics, law, political science, and other disciplines. This conference is unique in the manner in which it brings these disciplines together in creative and critical dialogue, and we invite papers from all the above disciplines, as well as those that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Following the success of WebSci'09 in Athens, WebSci'10 in Raleigh, and WebSci'11 in Koblenz, we are seeking papers and research notes that describe original research, analysis, and practice in the field of Web Science, as well as extended abstracts that discuss novel and thought-provoking ideas and works-in-progress.

Possible topics for submissions include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Analysis of human behavior and social interaction using data from social media, online networks and communities
- Methodological challenges of analyzing Web-based large-scale human interaction and behavior
- Network analysis of the Web
- Microlevel processes and interactions on the Web
- Collective intelligence, collaborative production, and social computing
- Structure and organization on the Web
- Web communities and online lifestyles
- Web, society, and innovation
- Intellectual property and the commons
- Governance, trust, and privacy
- Web access, literacy, and democracy
- Knowledge, education, and scholarship on and through the Web
- People-driven Web technologies, including social search, open data, and new interfaces
- Using the digital records of user activity mediated by the Web
- New research questions and thought-provoking ideas, emphasizing the intersection of design and social interaction

Submission

Web Science is a strongly interdisciplinary field, with areas representing different traditions for conferences and publications. Therefore this year we are providing three different submission formats (papers, notes, and abstracts) to allow for a wide range of submissions from all disciplines relevant for Web Science.

Submission Guidelines for Research Papers & Research Notes

Research papers and research notes should present new results and original work that has not been previously published. Research papers should present significant theoretical, empirical, methodological, or policy-oriented contributions to research and/or practice. Research notes should describe brief and focused research contributions that are noteworthy.

Papers can be up to 10 pages; notes up to 4 pages. All submissions should be formatted according to the official ACM SIG proceedings template (WebSci archive format at http://chi2012.acm.org/cfp-formatting-instructions.shtml#extendedformat) and submitted via EasyChair.

Submission Guidelines for Extended Abstracts

Extended abstracts should describe either (1) thought-provoking ideas with the potential for interesting discussions at the conference, or (2) works-in-progress for sharing valuable ideas, eliciting feedback on early-stage work, or fostering discussions and collaborations among colleagues.

Extended abstracts can be up to 6 pages, and should be formatted according to the official ACM SIG abstract template (extended abstract format at http://chi2012.acm.org/cfp-formatting-instructions.shtml#extendedformat) and submitted via EasyChair.

Review, Publication, and Presentation

The Web Science program committee consists of a senior program committee that covers all relevant areas of Web Science as well as regular program committee members from these areas. Each submission will be refereed by at least 3 PC members and one senior PC member, to cover both the research background of each submission as well as the necessary interdisciplinary aspects. Review criteria for all types of submissions
include significance, originality, presentation, validity, and the ability to stimulate discussion, with different emphases depending on the submission category to allow for consideration of all relevant works contributing to the advancement of Web Science.

All accepted papers, notes, and extended abstracts will appear in the Web Science 2012 Conference Proceedings and will also be available through the ACM Digital Library, in the same length and format of the submission. Regardless of the submission format, accepted submissions will be presented in one of three formats: 1) as a 20-minute presentation followed by discussion, 2) during one of the poster presentations and discussion sessions, 3) or as part of a panel discussion. Research papers, research notes, and extended abstracts are eligible for presentation in any of the three formats, depending on reviewer recommendations. Submissions that are thought-provoking and novel will be more appropriate for longer presentation, while those that are expected to stimulate discussion will be ideal for presentation in smaller groups or as posters.

Deadlines

February 12: Submissions of papers and notes due
February 26: Submissions of extended abstracts due
March 31: Notification of acceptance
April 29: Final versions of papers, notes, and extended abstracts due
June 22-24: Web Science 2011 Conference, Evanston, Illinois, USA

General Chair
Noshir Contractor, Northwestern University, US
Program Chairs
Michael Macy, Cornell University, US
Wolfgang Nejdl, L3S Research Center, Germany

Website
http://www.websci12.org/