Call for Papers KUI 2024

Focus Topics

1 | Humanising the Informatic

Dealing with AI, big data, and humanity.

“Humanizing the informatic” is a concept that emphasises the importance of considering human values, ethics, and concerns in the development and implementation of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and use of big data. These technologies offer immense potential for innovation and progress, but they also raise complex ethical questions. Prioritising human-centric approaches, it is possible to ensure that AI and big data systems are designed and used in ways that respect human autonomy. This involves technical considerations and thoughtful engagement with diverse perspectives and experiences. Ultimately, “humanising the informatic” means recognising that technology should serve humanity rather than vice versa.

• Addressing ethical considerations at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cultural preservation.
• Navigating the challenges of handling vast amounts of data while maintaining a human-centric approach.
• Examining the symbiotic relationship between technology and humanity  in the digital era.

2 | Steps forward in Digital Heritage

Innovative and advanced approaches to digitalising and conveying cultural heritage.

Advancements in interdisciplinary research on digital heritage represent significant strides in preserving and showcasing cultural legacy for future generations. This evolution unlocks new access, research, and education possibilities through innovative and advanced approaches to heritage. By harnessing technologies such as digital surveys, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence, it becomes possible to create immersive digital experiences that bring history and culture to life in unprecedented ways. These steps forward in digital heritage enhance the understanding and appreciation of the past and may ensure its preservation and accessibility for years to come.

• Showcasing cutting-edge technologies in the digitalisation and presentation of cultural heritage.
• Discussing challenges and breakthroughs in preserving and presenting cultural heritage in the digital and hybrid realm.
• Using innovative technologies and storytelling to transfer tangible and intangible cultural heritage into the present and future, reframing and recontextualising it for new insights and diverse audiences.
• Collaborative efforts for a more inclusive and comprehensive heritage preservation.
• Collections – exploitation, design, exhibition, and conveyance. 
• Documentation, visualisation and interaction in museums and archives.
• Interactive multimedia solutions for museums, theatres, concert halls, exhibitions etc.
• Simulation of cultural sites (acoustic, visual, and material).

3 | Dealing with Disasters and Climate Change Threat

Digital approaches and interventions for managing old and recent natural and human-made disasters; digital countermeasure strategies for raising awareness and mitigating impacts.

In addressing the complexities of disaster management, it is crucial to consider both old and recent events, encompassing a spectrum of natural and human-induced calamities. Employing diverse strategies, including traditional methods, modern digital approaches, and interventions, is essential. By integrating historical knowledge and contemporary technologies, it is possible to develop comprehensive solutions that mitigate risks and enhance resilience. As climate change threatens global heritage, it urges to explore innovative digital countermeasures to raise awareness and mitigate its impacts. Through digital platforms, educational campaigns, and interactive tools, it is possible to engage communities and stakeholders in understanding the urgency of preserving heritage.

• Exploring ways to raise global awareness through digital means.
• Examining the importance of digitalisation of cultural heritage under risk.
• Discussing strategies for cultural heritage protection, safeguarding and reconstruction.
• Proposing new strategies for cultural heritage documentation and fruition.
• Examining the impact of climate change on cultural heritage.
• Unveiling innovative digital strategies to mitigate and counteract these threats.

4 | Digital Technologies in the Cultural Sector 

In addition to the topics mentioned above, the conference invites research contributions and innovative examples from all areas of the application of digital technologies in the cultural sector, in particular from the following areas:

• Analogue and digital exhibition design
• Code and materiality
• Cultural techniques
• Digital and hybrid storytelling
• Digital exhibitions, science centres, museums, and galleries
• Ethics in culture and computer science
• Human–computer interaction
• Influence of art and culture on future technical developments and vice versa
• Interdependence between culture and computer science
• Intuitive usage of media systems
• Location-based and context-sensitive services in a cultural context
• Machine Learning for cultural applications
• Mixed reality, augmented reality, virtual reality systems
• Natural user interfaces
• Physical and virtual spaces, especially hybrid spaces
• Sketching

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Guidelines for Participants

Extended Abstract

Submissions of extended abstract proposals (6.000 characters + 1-3 significative pictures) for oral presentations must be submitted in UK English by May 15^th, 2024.

Text:

• Accepted formats: .doc or .docx.
• The author must rename the file according to the following syntax: surname_firstname_abstract.
• Text font: Arial (11 pt, single spacing), for Greek characters: GreekC.

The file must include, in the following order:

1. Indication of the conference topic (1, 2, 3 or 4);
2. title of the contribution (in English, max 150 characters including spaces, no subtitle is provided);
3. author/authors’ name;
4. author(s) information: affiliation (Department and University), email;
5. keywords: 5 keywords separated by comma for article indexing;
6. text (in english): max 6.000 characters including spaces;
7. references (no more than five references, beyond the available 6.000 characters).

PDF for blind peer review:

• Accepted format: .pdf
• The author must rename the file according to the following syntax: surname_firstname_rw.
• The text contained within the file must be the same content as in the different files in .doc or .docx format but must be anonymous to ensure proper evaluation by reviewers. To this end, the author’s name (or names) and author’s information must not appear.
• The author can insert images in the preferred position according to the layout adopted, strictly functional to send the contribution anonymously to the reviewers.

The extended abstract must be submitted via EasyChair (link will follow soon).

Full paper

The accepted proposal will be invited to submit a full paper (6-10 pages) for oral presentations. The full paper must be submitted in UK English by June 30^th, 2024.

Articles must be complete, i.e., contain title, abstract, keywords, full text (emphasising unpublished, novel, advances, theories and/or applications), short analysis of results and findings, conclusions, and bibliography.

The full paper must be submitted via EasyChair (link will follow soon).

A submission implies a willingness to register for and to present at the conference if the paper will be accepted.

Review Process

All submissions will be double-blind peer-reviewed by at least three members of the programme committee.

Presentation

One author of each accepted paper is requested to register for the conference and to present her/his work, in English, at the conference.

This is a requirement for all accepted submissions to be included in the conference proceedings. No-show of scheduled papers will result in excluding them from the conference proceedings.

The organization committee agreed on physical-only conference mode.

The template for the presentation will be available soon.

Proceedings

All accepted papers will be in the conference proceedings and indexed in Scopus. Further information, such as the submission procedure, important dates, and costs, can be found on the conference website: https://kui.htw-berlin.de.