The Onward! track provides a forum for visions of the future of our field. Onward! is the place to reveal the revolutionary, air the provocative, and expose the subversive. We especially appreciate submissions from a range disciplines with important contributions for thinking about software, including Human Computer Interaction, Industrial Design, Information Systems, Psychology, Philosophy, and Cultural Studies of all kinds.
The Onward! track is accepting two kinds of submissions: papers and films. Papers should use the conventional paper format to describe new paradigms or metaphors in computing, new thinking about objects, new framings of computational problems or systems, and new technologies. Films can use the motion picture format to investigate ideas, concepts, and insights related to software development.
Papers
Onward! papers can describe:
new paradigms or metaphors in computing,
new thinking about objects,
new framings of computational problems or systems,
intriguing technologies,
emerging methodologies,
late-breaking research.
Onward! papers should be provocative, inspiring, interesting, amusing, irritating, and in some cases, subversive.
Accepted papers will be alotted slots in the Onward! track for presentation at the conference. The papers accompanying the successful submissions will be published in either of the two conference publications. Onward! papers that fit within the general scope of Computer Science research will be published in the OOPSLA Proceedings; other accepted Onward! papers will be published in the OOPSLA Companion. Both will be included in the ACM digital library. Submitted papers should be in the ACM SIGPLAN publication style, be no more than 20 pages, and preferably in PDF file format.
Films
To emphasise its committment to embracing new ideas, the Onward! track welcomes film submissions. We know that PDF and Powerpoint are not always the right media, and this category invites submissions in motion picture formats, allowing a range of audio and visual treatments. Onward! films investigate ideas, concepts, insights, or almost anything related to programming. They can take almost any form: documentary on learning a new language; interviews with practitioners; animation/depiction of your new technique; diary of a frustrated grad student. Accepted films will be presented at a special session in the Onward! track.
Submission requirements for films include an early or partial version of the film, and a 200-word description about the film (for the final program). Full films are only required by the time of the conference. Films can be up to 15 minutes long, and may be submitted in formats including DVI, MPEG, AVI, and Quicktime.
Note that filmmakers must secure the rights for any third-party materials used.
For additional information, clarification, or questions, please contact the track chair.
Selection Committee
Elisa Baniassad, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Don Batory, University of Texas at Austin, USA Robert Biddle, Carleton University, Canada (Chair) Brian Foote, The Refactory Inc., USA Philippe Kruchten, University of British Columbia, Canada Alan O'Callaghan, De Montford University, UK Hugh Robinson, Open University, UK Helen Sharp, Open University, UK Rebecca Wirfs-Brock, Wirfs-Brock Associates, USA
