CFP: SLACTIONS 2011 & A Special Assembled Issue

This special issue will attempt to move beyond a narrow focus on specific instances of using a virtual world (Second Life) to achieve measurable results to include questions about the general effect the engagement with the virtual metaverse has on human interactions.

A part of the special issue might be devoted to papers presented at SLACTIONS 2011 on November 18, 2011. The presenters were sent the following email:

I would like to invite you now to submit a revised version of your paper for possible inclusion in an issue of the Journal of Virtual Worlds Research (http://jvwresearch.org/). If you are interested, please consider the following points during your revision:

1. Broaden the scope of your paper

Most presentations at SLACTIONS 2011 had a very narrow and largely technical focus, without considering wider implications for virtual worlds, theorizing about them, or human engagement with virtual worlds. For publication in a journal, the narrow studies of the papers have to be embedded in the wider discourses. Questions to address include ‘Why was this study conducted?’ (‘We wanted to see whether …. was possible’ is NOT enough), what was the theoretical thinking behind the study, what implications do the outcomes have for human engagement with the metaverse?

2. Lengthen the paper substantially

The papers as they were submitted are far too short. For your re-submission you will need 5000-7500 words. Please follow the journal’s requirements:

– 5000-7500 words total

– APA Style (see http://www.docstyles.com/apacrib.htm or http://www.docstyles.com/archive/apacrib.pdf)

– Complete bibliography

– Abstract (no more than 300 words) and keywords (a minimum of 3)

– Peer review requires the cover page with name and affiliation of the author(s) and the paper be submitted as separate documents.

– Only .doc or .rtf formats.

– Single-spaced

3. Write for a general audience

Users of virtual worlds have a wide variety of backgrounds. They might be interested in the points you are making, but will NOT read your paper if it contains too much technical jargon or requires detailed knowledge of e.g. physics, programming, maths, etc. Please, bear this in mind.

4. Write for the journal

Please look at the past issues and published articles of the journal. To fit into the journal, you article should be similar in style. This does NOT mean that you should copy them, BUT your article should read ‘as if it belongs’ in the journal.

5. Submission does NOT equal publication

After you submit your paper, it will undergo a blind review process. Acceptance for publication will depend on this review process, and IS NOT AUTOMATIC.

 

DEADLINE for submission of your revised paper is Monday, January 16, 2012.  –  LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Please submit your revised paper to the Chair of the organizing committee for SLACTIONS 2011, David Herold (ssherold AT inet DOT polyu DOT edu DOT hk) as an email attachment.

I’m looking forward to reading your revised papers.

Call For Papers – November 17-20 2011

SLACTIONS 2011 is an international conference held for the third time simultaneously online, and in countries around the world to engage in exchanges on the digital metaverse.

The conference focuses on the development of and human activities in the metaverse, and invites discussion of platforms as diverse as Second Life, OpenSim, World of Warcraft, Open Croquet,  Activeworlds, Sony Home, Habbo Hotel, IMVU, There, Project Wonderland, 3D web, etc., providing a forum for the user community to present and discuss innovative approaches, applications, techniques, processes, experiences and research results.

The introduction of Metaverse platforms into education, business, entertainment, etc. has come under intense scrutiny, and many articles and books have been published advocating their use. SLACTIONS 2011 is hoping to move beyond a focus on the introduction of Metaverse platforms, to a discussion of the integration and daily use of the Metaverse in offline activities, with particular regard to the effects this has on individual humans and their identity, agency, sense of community, integration into society, etc.

Scope

We are looking forward to presenting a program of presentations, videos, and posters based on the results of extensive and intensive research that conference participants can adapt to their own requirements and re-purpose for application in their own practice.

We are calling for paper and panel proposals from the full spectrum of intellectual disciplines and technological endeavours in which metaverse platforms are currently being used.

Topics covered may include but are not limited to:

– Accessibility in metaverse platforms
– Advanced scientific visualization in metaverse platforms
– Automatic content generation
– Behavioral studies in the metaverse
– Blended environments: Metaverse mixes, or the metaverse and offline society

– Combination of metaverse platforms with external systems (e-learning, ebusiness, etc.)
– Communicational paradigms in the metaverse
– Content management
– Course / materials management and the metaverses, e.g. MOODLE & SLOODLE
– Creativity, design, and arts on the metaverse
– Cultural and media study in the metaverses
– E-business and e-commerce applications
– Educational research, applications, and case studies
– Embodiment in metaverses and Gender Studies
– Formative and Summative assessment in the metaverses
– Game-based learning in the metaverse
– GIS/metaverse mash-ups
– Integration between metaverse platforms
– Language learning in the metaverses
– Machinima in the metaverse
– Nonprofit activities and fundraising
– Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
– Social Sciences studies in or through metaverse platforms
– Space representation, use, and management in metaverses
– Using metaverse platforms for cooperation

Submissions

Authors are invited to submit an abstract of 500-600 words via the conference website (http://www.slactions.org/) including their name, contact address, and affiliation. Additionally, authors should include a note indicating what type of presentation they intend to give:

– A full paper presentation
– A shorter “work in progress” presentation

– A panel of 3-4 grouped papers (please provide a short abstract for EACH paper)
– A Poster presentation
– A Video
– A virtual workshop
 

All submissions will be subject to a double blind reviewing process. Authors of accepted abstracts are required to submit a full paper of up to 7,000 words, which will be made available to conference participants. Full papers should follow the publication guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA 6th).

Publication Venues

All accepted, full papers will be made available to registered conference participants. Journal and/or edited volume publication will be subject to an additional rigorous blind reviewing process. The Scientific Committee will invite authors of selected full papers to provide revised and expanded versions for publication in the special issues of affiliated journals* and/or (an) edited volume(s) published with an academic publisher*.

* Negotiations with selected journals and publishers are currently underway.

Please check http://www.slactions.org regularly for further information and developments.