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Apologies for cross postings MINDPLAY - Deadline extended to 30th September 2005 Call for Conference contributions for MINDPLAY – a conference on the social, intellectual and experiential dimensions of play and interaction in digital media environments Conference Date: Friday January 20th 2006 Web site: http://www.mindplay.org.uk Information and submission : [log in to unmask] Extended deadline for abstracts: Friday 30th September 2005 MINDPLAY is a one day conference on the social, intellectual and experiential dimensions of play and interaction in digital media environments. The conference focuses on mindful and playful relationships with digital media environments including mobile and ubiquitous media, new cinema, gameplay, wired performance spaces and networked communities. We encourage submissions of papers, practice-led research, poster presentations, demonstrations and installations. Mindplay will bring together a range of practitioners, artists and scholars to encourage new discourses with which to talk about play in digital media environments. It is intended as a lively forum investigating current research issues and practices, and engaging participants through juxtaposing a range of diverse artistic and theoretical approaches to play in digital media environments. Selected papers may be published in a special issue of the journal 'Digital Creativity' (http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/14626268.asp). Group for Research in Interactive Media London Metropolitan University _________________________________________________________________ Areas of enquiry In developing their submissions, delegates are asked to address one of the following areas of enquiry: -> Plug-and-Play We are inviting submissions and papers that explore the mergence of mobile technologies and the impact of the portable, wireless media centre on society and culture. How have mobile devices altered our perception of communication, play, physical space and proximity? Downloading and sharing media-rich content across global networks has become commonplace, ‘visual storytelling' through the use of the ubiquitous camera -phone has expanded our notion of shared experience. Within Plug-and-Play, we are interested in work that engages with the following: · Portable Network Gaming · Locative Technologies · Micro Movies & P2P Sharing. -> Record-Stop-Play Within the record-stop-play theme we invite submissions dealing with the digital moving image. Concerns will range from the evolution in the way that viewing positions are understood in relation to moving image apparatus, to an interest in cinema as database and the emergence of new forms of performed moving image. Work around VJ culture will be particularly welcome as will consideration of the impact of high definition video and emerging new media platforms. Analysis of the aesthetic qualities of moving images and the shift away from moving image as an indexical form with the advent of synthetic photo-realist technologies will be another key area of concern. -> The Smart Player Game-based learning, web-based games in marketing, adult gaming, game audiences. Digital gaming is reaching wider audiences and new markets, players are getting smarter and more diverse, playing is now not just a form of entertainment but also a way to market products, inform and educate. We are inviting submissions and papers that investigate old and new forms of gaming and in particular: the game industry; game applications and markets; game cultures; games and learning; game audiences; games in marketing . -> Playtime Submissions are sought from digital media practitioners who are exploring spatial relationships and applications that utilise 'live' user input. This could include new musical instruments, sound and/or video installations or movement based applications. Submissions are particularly welcomed from practitioners exploring randomness, ‘live' coding and improvisation in their practice; i.e. practitioners who do not use pre- recorded materials. -> Let Us Play This area aims to facilitate new and playful possibilities of engagement with digital media within community and society. Submissions are sought from practitioners who are exploring the potential of digital media to engage, activate and transform ways in which communities and individuals communicate, educate and play. Submissions relating to community projects, peer networks, online communities and digital media audiences, which implement initiatives using innovative, diverse and sustainable methods are particularly welcome. _________________________________________________________________ Abstracts are invited for the following types of contributions: Scholarly Paper Papers may focus on development, dissemination or evaluation of research in relation to any of the conference's areas of enquiry. We expect papers of 20 minutes duration, with time then allocated for questions and a moderated discussion. In order to encourage a good standard of papers we are offering scholars to take part in a peer review process of full papers prior to the conference. Please indicate whether you want to take part in this in the submission of your abstract. Presentation of Practice-Led Research Digital Media practitioners are invited to submit abstracts for a 20-minute discussion of their practice through documentation in relation to any of the conference's areas of enquiry. Practice-led presentations could be supported by video material, audio material or short live demonstrations. Submissions may reflect work in progress, innovative approaches, or evaluative practices (such as qualitative research, or action research). Poster Presentation Posters may be submitted to visually disseminate information such as research findings, innovative applications, projects and methodologies. Whilst posters should be self-explanatory and can usefully be accompanied by handouts, presenters will be expected to be available to discuss their work at specified times during the conference. Demonstration and Installations (15-30 minutes sessions) Demonstrations and installations will give an opportunity for conference delegates to experience projects first hand and where appropriate to have some "hands-on" time with the work. Presenters will be responsible for providing the particular technical requirements, while the conference organisers will provide basic audio and visual equipment. Presenters are encouraged to submit a poster proposal that supplements their work if they wish. This may be of particular benefit to presenters hoping to disseminate detailed accounts of their application, project or tool. _________________________________________________________________ Submissions Please submit the following: Title and contribution type (paper, practice-led presentation, poster or demonstration/ installation) Abstract of 300 words. (If you submit an abstract for a paper, please indicate whether or not you wish to take part in a peer review process) Your name, title, email address and professional affiliation A one-paragraph biography (no more than 100 words) Technical requirements for your presentation (software/hardware) Detailed technical requirements for submission of demonstrations and installations Please email all submissions to [log in to unmask] Deadline: extended to 30th September 2005 Notice of acceptance will be sent out via email by 15th October 2005. Conference Organisers: Group for Research in Interactive Media – Core Group: Michelle Duxbury, Che Guevara John, Chris Lane, Elena Moschini, Pat Power, Michaela Reiser Advisory Panel: Dr. Anna Gough-Yates, Dr. Paul Cobley, Dr. Lewis Jones, Dr. Mike King Selection Panel: members from Advisory panel and Group for Research in Interactive Media Postal Contact Address: Group for Research in Interactive Media Attention of Michaela Reiser London Metropolitan University Ladbroke House 62-66 Highbury Grove London N5 2AD UK