International Symposium - 24.-26. June 2004 - Bremen, Germany - Call for Contributions

About the symposium:
The focus of the symposium is to concentrate results from gender research in order to actively influence IST (Information Society Technology) research and application from a gender perspective in a sustainable way.

The main goals are:
- Influencing mainstream IST development and shaping IST from a gender perspective
- Enhancing diversity in the development of IST
- Broadening perspectives in applications and contexts of IST
- Discussing technological support and education designed to the needs of both genders
- Building and strengthening relevant networks to achieve these goals

The symposium is a first initiative by the emerging GIST network. It is organized by the research group Digital Media in Education, department of computer science at the University of Bremen, Germany. A committee of international experts will chair the symposium. The preparation of the symposium is supported by an electronic platform which will be built in a participatory way as the starting point for an electronic network.

The symposium addresses
- Researchers, artists, students
- Company representatives
- Policy makers
- NGOs, initiatives, networks
- The interested public

Symposium Themes:

I. IST Research and Development

- What synergies between IST research & development and gender research can be found?
- What perspectives need to be inserted into processes of technological development?
- How can technological culture be described and changed?
- What role can participatory design and interaction between users and developers play?
- What benefits can Gender Mainstreaming strategies have for the innovation and construction in IST?
- What are the effects of Gender Mainstreaming on the quality of IST research and development?
- What benefits can companies expect by considering the gender question in their policies?

II. IST Education
- How can technological education become attractive and motivating for larger parts of the population?
- How can technology itself arouse curiosity and provoke an engagement in its design?
- How can learning processes open for a deeper understanding of the information society?
- How can media education be made inclusive for both genders?
- Is there a lesson to be learnt from single sex education?

III. IST Fields of Application
- How can IST systems be made more user-friendly in fields like education, health/medicine, environment, mobility, work...?
- How can gender research broaden contents of digital media?
- How can gender research groups and women's networks be supplied with adequate technological support?
- How can IST support community building?
- What are the fields in which gender sensitivity and design for diversity are particularly needed?

Proposal Formats:

- academic paper
- work in progress
- art work
- companies' experiences and expectations
- workshop
- poster, software/media presentation

A proposal should contain an abstract/description of no more than 500 words and/or (depending on format) sample of work (CD, DVD etc.)or references to current or past projects (weblinks). Proposals should indicate which of the symposium's themes they address. Each paper will be reviewed anonymously. On that basis the program committee will decide on its acceptance.

The abstracts of the accepted contributions will be published on the symposium's web site. Authors are also invited to publish full papers, media presentations and slides on this site.

The conference language is English. Deadline for submission of papers: 28th February 2004. Submitters will be informed about acceptance by April 20th. Please submit proposals using the symposium's website.

For more information please contact the GIST organizing committee or Dr. Heidi Schelhowe or Isabel Zorn