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HCI Goes to the Zoo: CHI 2016 Workshop
San Jose, CA, USA. 

Optional Zoo Tour: 6 May 2016
Workshop: 7 May 2016

Website: http://www.zootech.info
Contact: Sarah Webber, University of Melbourne
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===== IMPORTANT DATES=====

   Early Acceptance Round* Deadline: 8 December 2015
   Round 2 Deadline: 11 January 2016
   Final Submissions: 12 February 2016


===== TECHNOLOGY AT THE ZOO =====

Zoos and other conservation organizations are increasingly exploring the application of interactive technologies to transform attitudes, behaviors and public policy related to conservation and sustainability; to support animal welfare and enrichment; and to provide novel experiences for visitors. 

Despite this, HCI research in this context has been limited. Early work has highlighted the challenge of designing systems that do not detract from the existing aims of the zoo experience. While zoos are similar to other informal learning institutions such as museums, the setting of the zoo as an outdoor, naturalistic space, the presence of animals and their relationship with human visitors, the forms of social interaction and patterns of technology use amongst groups of zoo visitors differentiate this context substantially, necessitating this workshop to draw together inter-disciplinary experts to advance this field of work.

Consequently we invite HCI researchers, animal welfare and behavioral scientists and zoo industry professionals to attend a 1 day workshop at CHI 2016 on the topic of Technology in the Zoo. Through this workshop, we aim to bring together those investigating the design of technology for zoos and wildlife-based experiences. Through discussing and interrogating real case-studies of technology in zoo, this workshop will clearly identify and disseminate the key challenges and questions that a program of HCI research can answer. 

Participants will be invited to join in an optional group tour of San Francisco Zoo on Friday 6 May, the day before the workshop. The trip will provide opportunities to discuss and explore how technology is being integrated into the Zoo’s programs and activities. 


===== HOW TO PARTICIPATE =====

Participants interested in presenting should submit a 4‑page position paper describing real case studies of technology in the zoo, or real problems that have the potential to be solved by technology interventions. Papers will be selected for presentation at the workshop on the basis of interdisciplinary breadth, project maturity and to reflect the variety of opportunities for technology at the zoo.
Papers should be submitted
  via EasyChair: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=zootech2016
  in the SIGCHI Extended Abstracts format:http://chi2016.acm.org/wp/guide-to-submission-formats

Those not affiliated with a paper presentation but interested in attending should submit a short bio (200 words) identifying their interest and background relevant to the workshop topic, to ensure interdisciplinarity in the workshop discussions. Bios should be submitted by 15 January 2015 via EasyChair: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=zootech2016
A prospective workshop schedule will be made available before this date. 

At least one author of each accepted position paper must attend the workshop, and all participants must register for both the workshop and for at least one day of the conference.


===== DATES =====

Position Papers Early Acceptance Round* 
  Deadline: 8 December 2015
  Notification: 12 December 2015

Position Papers Round 2 
  Deadline: 11 January 2016
  Notification: 15 January 2016

Attendee Bios
  Deadline: 15 January 2016

Final Submissions
  Deadline: 12 February 2016

*The early acceptance round enables participants to use 2015 Q4 budgets to attend.






Sarah Webber
Microsoft Research Centre for Social Natural User Interfaces
Department of Computing and Information Systems
The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
t: +61 (0) 404 537 819
e: [log in to unmask]
w: www.socialnui.unimelb.edu.au



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