Conference+2014+Themes

**Themes to Consider for Submission**

 * In past conferences we have seen a tendency to qualitative research with an emphasis on case studies and the development of narratives. For example, what are the challenges and solutions to achieving adequate or exemplary voices, documentation, and activity from the perspectives of one or more communities? What of the struggle to tell a story, and whose story/stories should that be and under what conditions? Are academic research paradigms and norms out of touch with the reality of practice and how should they be modified?

These are important and ongoing issues, but beyond these there remain unanswered questions about the relationship of community-based research to broader theories and strategies that extend the benefits of projects and theories/outcomes beyond the local communities involved.Do the projects we engage in only benefit the immediate communities served, and perhaps others where projects are replicated – or can they have broader impact, perhaps through addressing issues related to human rights, social justice, social cohesion or community resilience?


 * In this context, what theoretical or conceptual frameworks are relevant and effective?

Do social capital and the development of social networks truly strengthen communities, or does it depend on the type of social capital being created and/or destroyed? Is there a difference in effect and outcome when considering voluntary associations or place-based communities as opposed to social movements? Could there be negative consequences? Might some projects somehow serve to isolate or disempower communities? And what role do communications play, for example the various forms of social media?


 * How do we measure and evaluate benefit to the community?

In collaborations, which community/ies are we seeking to advance and benefit? How can we measure the long-term impact of research engagement, and the implementation of technologies and services? What promising approaches being undertaken? How can we build a critical mass of studies of a particular community or community-relevant phenomenon? How can we encourage cross-comparisons and analyses of research? Are there ways in which data from some of this research might be shared and/or re-used by other community or community-centric researchers? With which other fields might there be research affinities, e.g., public health, social work, sociology, anthropology?


 * Another challenge is the (under) resourcing of research and action and how these are conducted.

How can we support this research? What methodological or research design compromises might we need to make in order to do this research? What are the ethical exigencies that we encounter and how should these best be addressed?

=**PhD colloquium**=

We strongly encourage PhD students in any of these disciplines to participate in the PhD symposium. Many students have gained much from participation in this activity.

//The above suggestions are not intended to be prescriptive, but rather, to highlight the range of issues that remain to be addressed within the theory and practice of both Community Informatics and Community Archiving. We believe that the interaction between the two fields will result in exciting new insights and look forward to any contribution that helps to achieve that goal//

 =**Dates and Processes**=

In order to enhance the quality of papers in all streams, Program Chairs will take an active role in guiding papers through the review process and deadlines will be adhered to.

The following kinds of papers are sought:
 * 1) Full papers for blind peer review (up to 6000 words).
 * 2) Works in progress and more speculative pieces (reviewed and selected, but not peer reviewed).
 * 3) Non refereed papers, including practitioner reports (up to 6000 words).
 * 4) PhD papers which provide an outline of current or proposed PhD research (between 2-3000 words, including references)
 * 5) Proposals for workshops or panel discussions.
 * 6) Proposals for posters.

Conference papers for all categories MUST use the Abstracts can ONLY be uploaded through the conference database system 16 October 2014 ||
 * * Call for papers & proposals. Expressions of interest conference website. Abstracts/papers can only be submitted through the conference database which will be made available. Submit the abstract in the online form, not as an attachment. Abstracts up to 550 words. || NOW OPEN. ||
 * * Acceptance/modification/ rejection notices || As soon as possible thereafter ||
 * * Full papers and abstracts for all streams due || 31 July 2014 ||
 * * Referee reports to participants by || 1 September 2014 ||
 * * Final version of papers, based on peer review and program committee decisions due || 1 October September 2014 ||
 * * Conference proceedings || Online ||
 * * Registrations || Available from 1 July ||
 * * Conference
 * Post-conference 1 day workshop || 13-15 October 2014