sumit basu fpgi7566gdzhmrrvfmsncom call workshop proposals nips 2007 postconference workshops december 7 8 2007 neural information processing systems natural synthetic whistler resort spa whistler hilton resort spa bc canada httpwwwnipscc proposal deadline 3rd august 2007 following neural information processing systems nips 2007 conference vancouver canada workshops variety current topics neural information processing held december 7 8 2007 whistler bc canada invite researchers interested chairing workshop submit proposal goal workshops provide informal forum researchers discuss important research questions challenges emphasis discussion workshop format simply miniconference aim dynamic sharing ideas particularly encourage workshops bring together unusual groupings transfer ideas methods controversial issues open problems comparisons competing approaches encouraged preferred workshop topics representation alternative viewpoints panelstyle discussions encouraged workshop topics developed view make interesting workshop participants proponents familiarize previous workshops topics covered recent nips papers especially interested workshops bridge traditional discipline subdiscipline boundaries endeavor define new research directions opposed workshops merely forum presentation recent results particularly encourage neuroscience topics connect neuroscience computer science format six hours workshop meetings per day split morning afternoon sessions free time sessions ongoing individual exchange outdoor activities selected workshops may invited submit proceedings publication postnips workshops monographs series published mit press organizer responsibilities workshop organizers several responsibilities including coordinating workshop participation content including arranging short informal presentations domain experts arranging expert commentators sit discussion panels formulating discussion topics etc moderating discussion reporting findings conclusions nips workshop participants evening plenary sessions writing brief summary andor coordinating submitted material postconference electronic dissemination potentially organizing prereading workshop accepted might take form position paper tutorial even reading list ensuring unambiguous acceptance attend people named confirmed proposal attending workshop multiple organizers expected attend submission instructions proposals include title description workshop address accomplish proposed workshop length 1 2 days planned format eg lectures group discussions panel discussion combinations etc proposed speakers names potential invitees confirmed speakers given possible preference given workshops reserve significant portion time open discussion panel discussion opposed pure miniconference format example format tutorial lecture providing background relevant terminology discussion panel presentation short talks panels alternating discussion questionanswer sessions general discussion wrapup suggest organizers allocate least 50 workshop schedule questions discussion breaks past experience suggests workshops otherwise degrade miniconferences talks begin run reason workshop include 12 talks per day preferably fewer poster spotlights sessions effectively incorporated previous workshops another good way facilitate informal discussion encourage organizers give thought might make effective use predistribution written material order maximize time available discussion noting however asking invited speakers prepare written materials unlikely enhance chances acceptance invitations proposal motivate topic interest discussed targeted group participants essence explain nips needs workshop topic impact include brief cv prospective workshop chairs list publications establish scholarship field encourage workshops build continue arise one workshops previous years although argument n workshops previously topic therefore need n1th discouraged genuine novelty necessary please mention connections descriptions previous workshops may found httpnipsccconferences2006workshops httpnipsccconferences2005workshops httpnipsccconferences2004workshops unfortunately nips provide travel funding workshop speakers past workshops sought received funding external sources bring outside speakers case organizers accepted workshop name two individuals receive free registration workshop program proposals emailed plain text siziliosxwnkganueduau 3rd august 2007 please use attachments word postscript html pdf files submissions include name address email address phone fax numbers organizers one organizer please designate one organizer primary contact proposers encouraged ensure proposal cogent coherent concise possible selection criteria selecting workshops proposals take account alignment interests nips attendees evidenced previous nips papers workshops alignment emerging trends fields interest nips extent workshop attempts agenda setting opposed merely reporting new results activity degree crossdisciplinarity evidence workshop chairs effectively manage discussions based example past workshop conference organization caliber invited speakers realism schedule ten 15 minute talks backtoback fraction proposed invited speakers confirm attendance conditional workshop approved overall interest excitement proposal potential positively impact field overall balance fields interests applicants encouraged ensure aspects proposed workshop clear proposal process selection workshops done workshop cochairs may recommend merger multiple proposals overlap particular area proponents obliged accept suggestions case choose competing proposals given topic aim select best set workshops participants necessarily mean largest number workshops expect make decision workshops invited run within two weeks submission deadline extensions granted proposal submissions look forward working workshop chairs generate range interesting high quality sessions bob williamson adrienne fairhall charles isbell anu nicta university washington georgia tech nips 2007 workshops cochairs thu 07 aug 2008 153234 0700 uai nips2007 call workshop proposals