Paper proposals: Comments

In my message of 8 July I did mention this, and give directions of how to get to this information. It was a complex email, because there was a lot to report, but it’s there: I just checked.

Maybe I could ask all of you to have another look at that message. To facilitate this, I paste it in below.

Best Wishes,

Ranulph

Dear All

It is abut 3 weeks till we look forward to welcoming you to the pre-conference to the ASC 2013 Conference on Acting, Learning, Understanding begins in Bolton, and much has happened over the last few weeks. I am writing to inform you of this. Please, do read this necessarily long email through and act accordingly. There is very important material all the way through to the end, which requires action from you. Thank you.

I would like to remind you to make your musical instrument. These will be displayed and played as part of the opening of the main conference, and you don’t want to be left out. Details are under Participation >> Sound and Vision.

At the same time, please consider expanding, completing and updating your biography, Expression of Interest, paper proposal and high res photo (see further down this message). These will be used in making the conference booked that will be given to all, on registration.

If you have tried to book conference accommodation and have not had a reply, I am assured receipts for payment, and emails concerning questions, will be going out today/tomorrow. If you have not heard anything by the end of the week please contact out on-the-ground co-ordinator, Janet Hollins

I can, also, announce that we are negotiating with a German film maker to make a movie of the conference. When and if details are settled, more details will appear on the web site. I expect this to be this week. Please note, that if you object to being filmed, you will need to contact the film maker, not us.

We are expecting further participants to join us, which will be another reason to keep checking the site for comments and contributions. I anticipate a small, intense interesting and rather powerful meeting and I’m looking forward to it.

WEB SITE ENHANCEMENTS

The web site has had many enhancements added recently, and will have more added: do please keep checking!

• Access to conference information
The most important that there is now access to conferee biographies, expressions of interest and, of particular interest, the paper abstracts. There is also a general blog. You can add comments on all of these, and we encourage you to do so. In the case of the abstracts, it is a very important part of the reviewing process, offering not only criticism, but suggestions for improvement. In the other cases, it is a chance for us to meet before the conference so we already know each other when we meet. We regard this as a very important part of the conference. Go to People >> Participants to open connections.

• Tourism
The tourism section has had 4 recommended tours, and a general overview added, to help you enjoy from your time in the Bolton area.

• John Beishon lecture at conference dinner
Ray Ison, professor of systems at the Open University, has given us the honour of presenting a lecture in memory of John Beishon, the OU’s first professor of systems. This will be given by Noam Clark from San Jose State University, and will occur during the conference dinner. Details are being finalised, and will be posted on the web site soon. This is a wonderful extra! (Remember, you have to elect to attend the dinner through the registration page. There is a charge of £35 per head. Go to the registration page, sign in with your password, select personal info, select the dinner option.)

• Schedule of events
The conference schedule of events has been posted for some time and may be found under Logistics >> Conference Program.

• Tutorials
We are working on the tutorials. Please don’t sign up for a day or two, while we refine the sign up process. We will announce the opening of booking on the blog later this week.

• Bolton maps
There are maps showing you how to get between the university, rail station, Albert Halls (dinner) and the two accommodation sites under Location >> Accommodation. Do not forget to arrange your accommodation: we cannot do this for you. These maps are larger than the display windows, so you may want to drag them around to get the best view.

WEB SITE ACTIONS

We need to ask you to provide us with some information via the web site. What is needed is different for each of you. This information must be provided through your personal profile page, which you can access through Participation >> Expression of Interest and then going to the login pane on the right. If you have problems, please contact ASC Secretary .

• Photo
Photo: many have sent photos that are far too small, or have not sent a photo at all. They should be at least 600 pixels, horizontally. You can upload a (replacement) image through the upload area at the bottom of the web page with your personal info. Go to Your Photo at the bottom of the page.

• Heinz von Foerster prize
If you qualify, you should check the box under Eligibility for the 2013 Heinz von Foerster Award on your (password protected) personal info page to enter for the Heinz von Foerster prize. You must be under 36 years old on 1 January 2013. See Participation >> Heinz von Foerster Award.

• Paper presentation
If you want to make a formal presentation of your paper, you should check the appropriate check box which you can find under the Conference Paper Proposal heading on your personal info page. We ask you to consider carefully and only apply if you really want a formal presentation: there is a shortage of slots.

• Special needs
If you have special dietary (or any other) requirements, please enter them in the Special Needs (Dinner) form field, in the Agenda Selections section on the conference Registration site here: http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1220526