1st Call for papers: ACM Web Science Conference (WebSci14), June 23-26, 2014

1st CALL FOR PAPERS

ACM Web Science Conference (WebSci14)

June 23-26, 2014

Bloomington, Indiana, USA

websci14.org * @WebSciConf * #WebSci14

Deadline for papers: Feb. 23rd 2014

Web Science is the emergent science of the people, organizations, applications, and of policies that shape and are shaped by the Web, the largest informational artifact constructed by humans in history. Web Science embraces the study of the Web as a vast universal information network of people and communities. As such, Web Science includes the study of social networks whose work, expression, and play take place on the Web. The social sciences and computational sciences meet in Web Science and complement one another: Studying human behavior and social interaction contributes to our understanding of the Web, while Web data is transforming how social science is conducted. The Web presents us with a great opportunity as well as an obligation: If we are to ensure the Web benefits humanity we must do our best to understand it.

Call for Papers

The Web Science conference is inherently interdisciplinary, as it attempts to integrate computer and information sciences, communication, linguistics, sociology, psychology, economics, law, political science, philosophy, digital humanities, and other disciplines in pursuit of an understanding of the Web. 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, and in particular those that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Following the success of WebSci09 in Athens, WebSci10 in Raleigh, WebSci11 in Koblenz, WebSci 12 in Evanston, and WebSci13 in Paris, for the 2014 conference we are seeking papers and posters that describe original research, analysis, and practice in the field of Web Science, as well as work that discusses 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 using social media, mobile devices, and online communities
• Methodological challenges of analyzing Web-based large-scale social interaction
• Data-mining and network analysis of the Web and human communities on the Web
• Detailed studies of micro-level processes and interactions on the Web
• Collective intelligence, collaborative production, and social computing
• Theories and methods for computational social science on the Web
• Studies of public health and health-related behavior on the Web
• The architecture and philosophy of the Web
• The intersection of design and human interaction on the Web
• Economics and social innovation on the Web
• Governance, democracy, intellectual property, and the commons
• Personal data, trust, and privacy
• Web and social media research ethics
• Studies of Linked Data, the Cloud, and digital eco-systems
• Big data and the study of the Web
• Web access, literacy, and development
• Knowledge, education, and scholarship on and through the Web
• People-driven Web technologies, including crowd-sourcing, open data, and new interfaces
• Digital humanities
• Arts & culture on the Web or engaging audiences using Web resources
• Web archiving techniques and scholarly uses of Web archives
• New research questions and thought-provoking ideas

Submission

Web Science is necessarily a very selective single track conference with a rigorous review process. To accommodate the distinct traditions of its many disciplines, we provide three different submission formats: full papers, short papers, and posters. For all types of submissions, inclusion in the ACM DL proceedings will be by default, but not mandatory (opt-out via EasyChair). All accepted research papers (full and short papers) will be presented during the single-track conference. All accepted posters will be given a spot in the single-track lightning talk session, and room to present their papers during a dedicated poster session.

Full research papers (5 to 10 pages, ACM double column, 20 mins presentation including Q&A)

Full research papers should present new results and original work that has not been previously published. Research papers should present substantial theoretical, empirical, methodological, or policy-oriented contributions to research and/or practice.

Short research papers (up to 5 pages, ACM double column, 15 mins presentation including Q&A)

Short research papers should present new results and original work that has not been previously published. Research papers can present preliminary theoretical, empirical, methodological, or policy-oriented contributions to research and/or practice.

Full and short paper submissions should be formatted according to the official ACM SIG proceedings template (WebSci archive format at http://www.acm.org/sigs/publications/proceedings-templates).

Posters (up to 6 pages, ACM abstract template, lightning talk + poster presentation)

Extended abstracts for posters, which should be in English, can be up to 6 pages, and should be formatted according to the official ACM SIG abstract template (extended abstract format at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pl130rtd134fxu6/hiyzXgWwTs).

Other creative submission formats (flexible formats)

Other types of creative submissions are also encouraged, and the exact format and style of presentation are open. Examples might include artistic performances or installations, interactive exhibits, demonstrations, or other creative formats. For these submissions, the proposers should make clear both what they propose to do, and any special requirements they would need to successfully do it (in terms of space, time, technology, etc.)

Instructions for all types of submissions will be posted on the WebSci14 conference website soon.

Review

The Web Science program committee consists of a program committeethat covers all relevant areas of Web Science. Each submission will be refereed by three PC members and one short meta review written by a Co-PC chair,to cover both the research background of each submission as well as the necessary interdisciplinary aspects.

(Optional) Archival Proceedings in the ACM Digital Library

All accepted papers and posters will by default appear in the Web Science 2014 Conference Proceedings and can also be made available through the ACM Digital Library, in the same length and format of the submission unless indicated otherwise (those wishing not to be indexed and archived can opt out of the proceedings).

Deadlines (tentative)
Full & Short Papers:

• 23 February 2014: Submissions of full and short papers
• 13 April 2014: Notification of acceptance for papers
• 11 May 2014: Camera-ready version of papers and posters due

Late Breaking Posters:

• 23 March 2014: Submissions of posters
• 13 April 2014: Notification of acceptance for posters
• 11 May 2014: Camera-ready version of posters due 

Authors take note: The official publication date is the date the proceedings are made available in the ACM Digital Library. This date may be up to two weeks prior to the first day of the conference. The official publication date affects the deadline for any patent filings related to published work. (If proceedings are published in the ACM Digital Library after the conference is over, the official publication date is the first day of the conference.)
Call for Workshops

TBA - more information will be made available on the conference website soon

Conference calendar and rough program

• 23 June 2014: workshops, opening reception and keynote
• 24 June 2014: keynote(s), technical program, poster reception
• 25 June 2014: keynote(s), technical program, social event
• 26 June 2014: keynote, technical program, closing 

General chairs

• Fil Menczer, Indiana University
• Jim Hendler, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Bill Dutton, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford

Program chairs

• Markus Strohmaier, University of Koblenz and GESIS (Computing)
• Ciro Cattuto, ISI Foundation (Physics)
• Eric T. Meyer, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford     (Social Sciences)

PC: TBA

"If a Young Child Wanders, Technology Can Follow"

A 2-Way Wrist Radio is preferable to an embedded chip - "If a Young Child Wanders, Technology Can Follow" | @NYTimes http://t.co/qAZxd9pctV
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) November 3, 2013

There's no escape

I keep this blog and Twitter account, and I edited a book on pervasive ICT, but I'm not a hard-core techie. I don't read any tech magazines, I don't go out looking for sources for this blog. I just scan a few sources daily or weekly, including The New York Times, and post interesting bits here or on my @TeachRCR Twitter account. My point is that I pretty much stumble across these things, which means they are pretty close to the line of common knowledge. Sometimes, like today, I find it a bit scary how creepy the in-the-pipeline technologies are, and I wonder what's out there, just a few steps behind.

All of that was triggered by these two stories in the Times. The first is just about a handful of Google Glass wannabes. Irritating, invasive, privacy-decomposing - but we're getting braced for the flood.

Cyborgs stalking us all - the actual zombie invasion? - "Seeking a Staredown With Google Glass" | @NYTimes http://t.co/S9QaDAb78c
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) October 13, 2013

But along with it comes this:

Computational voice analysis and diagnosis of mood, personality - "In a Mood? Call Center Agents Can Tell" | @NYTimes http://t.co/1qITVvLKn6
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) October 13, 2013

Somebody give me a "Come on, now!"

Here are my two favorite passages:

The more invasive audio mining also has the potential to unnerve some consumers, who might squirm at the idea of an unknown operator getting an instant entree into their psyche.

That's an understatement.

“It seems to me that the biggest risk of this technology is not that it violates people’s privacy, but that companies might believe in it and use it to make judgments about customers or potential employees,” says George Loewenstein, a professor of economics and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University. “That could end up being used to make arbitrary and potentially discriminatory decisions.”

I don't know about you, but to me this is a no-win proposition. If the software works as advertised, it's the most severe invasion of privacy we're likely to see until Isaac Asimov's pscyho-probe comes around. If it doesn't work, but people believe in it, it'll be another source of confusion and another tool in the power-abuser kit.

"The Face Scan Arrives"

Homeland Security and the FBI are developing facial identification software. The author, Ginger McCall,  suggests two policies to restrict the use of such technologies.

First, facial-recognition databases should be populated only with images of known terrorists and convicted felons. Driver’s license photos and other images of “ordinary” people should never be included in a facial-recognition database without the knowledge and consent of the public.

Second, access to databases should be limited and monitored. Officers should be given access only after a court grants a warrant. The access should be tracked and audited. The authorities should have to publicly report what databases are being mined and provide aggregate numbers on how often they are used.

I approve of the second policy 100%, but I wonder whether having the faces of ordinary people on file would tend to make the database more effective in identifying criminals. In some areas, having tons of data give systems greater power; when Netflix knows that I like movies A, B, and C, and that several hundreds of people who like A, B, and C also like movie D, it's a good guess that I'd like D, too. Is there an analog to this in facial recognition?

Slouching toward Big Brother (or maybe not) - "The Face Scan Arrives" | http://t.co/F7mOok0vUw
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) August 30, 2013

"I Flirt and Tweet. Follow Me at #Socialbot."

Is this scary, or just silly? - "I Flirt and Tweet. Follow Me at #Socialbot." | http://t.co/nxcbUd9vUA
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) August 21, 2013

"How Pay-Per-Gaze Advertising Could Work With Google Glass"

Pay-per-gaze - what a revolting concept.

Interactive advertising might hit a new high (or low) - "How Pay-Per-Gaze Advertising Could Work With Google Glass" | http://t.co/BjGUAca1uV
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) August 21, 2013

"Facial Scanning Is Making Gains in Surveillance"

NSA collection of metadata doesn't hold a candle to this - "Facial Scanning Is Making Gains in Surveillance" | http://t.co/jj93WIcXlX
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) August 21, 2013

"A Cheap Spying Tool With a High Creepy Factor"

CreepyDOL and the war on security researchers - "A Cheap Spying Tool With a High Creepy Factor" http://t.co/YrPZdsd92b
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) August 3, 2013

Could it be coming to a location (uncomfortably) near you?

"Whispering sweet nothings in commuters’ ears"

Thanks to Lisa Lee for bringing this to my attention. Read the comments, too.

Adverts right to your brain via bone conduction - "Whispering sweet nothings in commuters’ ears" | BioEdge http://t.co/XqgKTwxvD2
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) July 8, 2013

"Stealth Wear Aims to Make a Tech Statement"

From today's New York Times.

Just what we need: An arms war between the snoops and their targets - "Stealth Wear Aims to Make a Tech Statement" http://t.co/lgRsnUZIFg
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) June 30, 2013

"Voice-Activated Technology Is Called Safety Risk for Drivers"

If there was ever any doubt that adding Internet connectivity and voice command technologies to cars is a bad idea, this should wipe that doubt away.

I summarize below (do read the whole article). Passages that are not direct quotations should be taken as my editorial ranting.

"In April, the federal government recommended that automakers voluntarily limit the technology in their cars to keep drivers focused," but automakers see dollar signs when they think about installing this stuff. Profits! Profits! Who cares about safety?

Research led by "David Strayer, a neuroscientist at the University of Utah who for two decades has applied the principles of attention science to driver behavior," shows that

What makes the use of these speech-to-text systems so risky is that they create a significant cognitive distraction.... The brain is so taxed interacting with the system that, even with hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, the driver’s reaction time and ability to process what is happening on the road are impaired.

(Some of Strayer's earlier research showed that "talking on a phone while driving creates the same level of crash risk as someone with a 0.08 blood-alcohol level, the legal level for intoxication across the country.)

And it's not just that speech-to-text is distracting, but that it's more distracting than other activities. In his latest study, Strayer and his colleagues "compared the impact on drivers of different activities, including listening to a book on tape or the radio, and talking on a hand-held phone or hands-free phone" and found "the results were consistent across all the tests in finding that speech-to-text technology caused a higher level of cognitive distraction than any of the other activities."

The only way this technology should be legal would be if the driver could not use it. I suspect it would be safe to install it in the back seats of limos, for example. There might even be a way for a passenger in the front seat, but not the drive, to use it - I don't know how that would be accomplished, but that would probably be fairly safe, too.

We really don't need more distracted drivers.

This is a must-read - "Voice-Activated Technology Is Called Safety Risk for Drivers" | @nytimes nyti.ms/19ptopD
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) June 13, 2013

See also in this blog (listed from most to least recent) "Device Prevents Driving While Phone Is In Use," "Attention Turns to the Dangers of Distracted Pedestrians," and "Cell Carriers Explore Ways to Limit Distracted Driving."

"The Cyborg Era Begins"

Talk about your pervasive technologies.

Here's a bit more from the summary: "In the lab, cling wrap–like circuitry draped over the hearts of test animals can track the activity of each of the heart's four chambers and kill tissue that initiate potentially deadly arrhythmias. Other arrays penetrate brain tissue to monitor the abnormal nerve firing patterns in epilepsy or induce gene expression in the brain tissue of mice." 

From summary: "Electronic components are invading the body." - "The Cyborg Era Begins" | @sciencemagazine s.shr.lc/ZWbIyN
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) June 7, 2013

"Smart map tracks people through camera networks"

"A MAP that tracks people's movements across a network of CCTV cameras and gives their location in a real time could be an invaluable tool for finding intruders, or for simply knowing your whereabouts.

"Dubbed the Marauder's Map after the magical map used by Harry Potter, the system takes security camera footage and analyses it using an algorithm that combines facial recognition, colour matching of clothing, and a person's expected position based on their last known location."

Thanks to Francis Harvey for drawing my attention to this.

Soon they'll know where we are, at any time - "Smart map tracks people through camera networks" | New Scientist newscientist.com/article/mg2182…
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) June 3, 2013

Book on ethical guidance for PICT on its way

Emerging Pervasive Information and Communication Technologies (PICT): Ethical Challenges, Opportunities and Safeguards 

Edited by Kenneth D. Pimple,  Ph.D.

To be published by Springer; expected publication date June 30, 2013.

Description

This book provides a wide and deep perspective on the ethical issues raised by pervasive information and communication technology (PICT) – small, powerful, and often inexpensive Internet-connected computing devices and systems. It describes complex and unfamiliar technologies and their implications, including the transformative potential of augmented reality, the power of location-linked information, and the uses of “big data,” and explains potential threats, including privacy invaded, security violated, and independence compromised, often through widespread and lucrative manipulation.

PICT is changing how we live, providing entertainment, useful tools, and life-saving systems. But the very smartphones that connect us to each other and to unlimited knowledge also provide a stream of data to systems that can be used for targeted advertising or police surveillance. Paradoxically, PICT expands our personal horizons while weaving a web that may ensnare whole communities.

Chapters describe particular cases of PICT gone wrong, but also highlight its general utility. Every chapter includes ethical analysis and guidance, both specific and general. Topics are as focused as the Stuxnet worm and as broad as the innumerable ways new technologies are transforming medical care.

Written for a broad audience and suitable for classes in emerging technologies, the book is an example of anticipatory ethics – “ethical analysis aimed at influencing the development of new technologies” (Deborah Johnson 2010).

The growth of PICT is outpacing the development of regulations and laws to protect individuals, organizations, and nations from unintended harm and malicious havoc. This book alerts users to some of the hazards of PICT; encourages designers, developers, and merchants of PICT to take seriously their ethical responsibilities – if only to “do no harm” – before their products go public; and introduces citizens and policy makers to challenges and opportunities that must not be ignored.

For more information

"In the Programmable World, All Our Objects Will Act as One"

"In our houses, cars, and factories, we’re surrounded by tiny, intelligent devices that capture data about how we live and what we do. Now they are beginning to talk to one another. Soon we’ll be able to choreograph them to respond to our needs, solve our problems, even save our lives."

So: Is that appealing, appalling, or what?

Thanks to Francis Harvey for sharing this.

"In the Programmable World, All Our Objects Will Act as One" | Wired - Gadget Lab s.shr.lc/6hNVx2 - s.shr.lc/12AOtIw
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) May 17, 2013

"Sustainable mobility: A vision of our transport future"

Are self-driving cars the way of the future? - "Sustainable mobility: A vision of our transport future" | go.nature.com/Eb9BU3
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) May 16, 2013

"Google Emulates Apple in Restricting Apps for Glass"

The developers get the first shot at Glass. Then, maybe, other people with too much money. How big will the change be?

Here it comes, for $1500 - Google Emulates Apple in Restricting Apps for Glass | The New York Times nyti.ms/Z0YsGB
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) April 17, 2013

"Bubble or No, This Virtual Currency Is a Lot of Coin in Any Realm"

High-tech gateway to mail-order narcotics - Bubble or No, This Virtual Currency Is a Lot of Coin in Any Realm nyti.ms/17lTGXo
— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) April 8, 2013

"Big Data Is Opening Doors, but Maybe Too Many"

Useful and damaging; proceed with care - Big Data Is Opening Doors, but Maybe Too Many | New York Times nyti.ms/ZJv46g

— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) March 24, 2013

"Gene-analysis firms reach for the cloud"

Do you want your genome floating in the cloud? - Gene-analysis firms reach for the cloud | Nature s.shr.lc/16NqgAY via @shareaholic

— Kenneth D. Pimple (@Ethical_PICT) March 22, 2013