Overview

The 2007 IEEE Visualization and InfoVis Conferences and co-located IEEE VAST (Visual Analytics Science and Technology) Symposium will again host a Doctoral Colloquium to support the next generation of visualization researchers. Ph.D. students at any stage of their research are invited to apply to participate in the colloquium as presenters. Students who will have recently completed their proposal defense at the time of the colloquium are particularly encouraged to apply. This year, the colloquium will be run as a single cross-cutting track to incorporate contributions from the visualization, information visualization, and visual analytics student communities.

The colloquium will showcase the quality and breadth of scholarly research in visualization through the graduate students who are advancing the field. The colloquium will allow students to discuss their research directions in a supportive atmosphere with a panel of distinguished leaders with their peers. Students can expect helpful feedback and fresh perspectives on their research topics and possible career paths, and will have the opportunity to interact closely with expert researchers in their field. The colloquium will support community-building by connecting beginning and advanced researchers.

Only students not presenting full papers in the main programs of IEEE Vis, IEEE InfoVis, and IEEE VAST are eligible to present their work in the Doctoral Colloquium. Students presenting posters, exhibits, contest entries or interactive demos as part of the main program are eligible to apply for the colloquium, as are students listed as co-authors of work that is being presented in the main programs. All students, whether they present or not, are encouraged to attend the colloquium to receive insight into the research process and to participate in discussion of their peers' work.

Colloquium participation will offer students insight and support for the framing of their research and will help them create important relationships. Financial support may be available to participants to assist in traveling to the conference. Students selected to participate in the colloquium will be expected to attend the full day of events.

Research topics for the IEEE Vis, IEEE InfoVis, and IEEE VAST main programs are appropriate for the Doctoral Colloquium. Lists of these topics of interest are available at:

• IEEE Visualization
• IEEE Information Visualization (InfoVis)
• IEEE VAST

Format

The colloquium will consist of 4 sessions: three sessions of 4-6 student presentations each will be devoted to visualization, infovis, and visual analytics topic areas, respectively. A final panel session will feature early-career visualization scientists sharing their experiences and lessons learned in an interactive forum. A lunch is also planned that will give those students selected to present the opportunity to interact one-on-one with panelists.

Important Dates

Applications due	June 30, 2007 (Extended)
Notification of acceptance	July 20, 2007
Final papers due	August 15, 2007
Doctoral Colloquium held during IEEE Vis 2007 Conference.	October 29, 2007 (Date is tentative; may move to another date during the conference)

Application Process

Applicants to the doctoral colloquium should submit:

1. A two-page summary of their thesis research, including the problem being addressed, methodology and plan of research, and a description of the progress to date. Please distinguish between work that has been accomplished and that which remains to be completed.
2. An email from the student's advisor recommending the student for participation in the colloquium, including an assessment of the student's research, its current status, and the expected date of thesis submission.

Student submissions and advisor's letters should be emailed to Vis.Colloquium@pnl.gov by June 15, 2007.

Student submissions will be peer-reviewed and selections will be made on the basis of their contribution to the colloquium's goals, strength of research direction, and the advisor's assessment. Accepted submissions will be printed in a supplement to the conference proceedings.

Further Information

Inquiries may be directed to to Vis.Colloquium@pnl.gov.

Organizers

Robert Kosara, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Richard May and Bill Pike, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Penny Rheingans, University of Maryland, Baltimore County