What's New

 Peer Reviewed Papers
UPA provides a venue for peer-reviewed papers, which will be published in a special section of the conference proceedings. All proposals for papers must be submitted in a package with a proposal for a presentation, which will be delivered at a special paper presentation session. The proposals for both the paper and the presentation must be accepted for the paper to be published in the Proceedings. Both the paper and the presentation must reflect the priorities of the UPA conference, which emphasize practicality, hands-on experience, and interactive presentation.

UPA seeks to become a world-wide community. To accomplish this goal, we encourage submissions from those for whom English is a second language. At the same time, we recognize that a language barrier might inhibit people from submitting their ideas to the UPA conference. To encourage more submissions from the English-as-a-second-language (ESL) community, UPA provides mentors to assist with ESL issues during preparation of submissions. UPA is an English-language conference; however, we continue to support and encourage local UPA chapters to extend their resources to the wider UPA community. Contact the UPA conference international chairs, Alain Robillard-Bastien (arbastien@ergoweb.ca) and Nathalie Barthe (nbarthe@videotron.ca), for more information about English-language mentoring.

 Newcomer curriculum
UPA has always taken a practical, hands-on approach to usability. This emphasis has been effective in helping newcomers to the profession to build their skills quickly and effectively. This year, UPA will provide a new curriculum geared specifically to newcomers, with particular focus on experienced professionals in other fields who are moving to usability or adding usability to their skill set.

 Idea markets
For two years, UPA has experimented with a special panel format called an idea market. This year, UPA is implementing idea markets as a new session format. Topics for these directed but casual discussions about burning questions will be included in the conference program, with summaries and “after thoughts” being published immediately following the conference. An idea market uses an open street market as a metaphor. It takes place in a large meeting room with no chairs, but rather than stalls selling vegetables or other wares, there are up to 10 idea stations each with an “activator” and 2 flipcharts to use as visuals. Each activator leads a discussion around a chosen topic. On one flipchart, the activator posts the questions or issues to explore about the topic and on the other flipchart, the activator records the ideas that come up during the discussion. As sheets fill up, the activator tapes them on the wall behind the station so attendees can see the points covered. You need know nothing about the topic you are discussing (but it does help to know a little). You don’t present anything except a short description of your main question and up to five “starter questions” to spur and direct the discussion. Rather, activators ask questions and manage the discussion, focusing participants and eliciting responses.

 SIGs
In previous years, people interested in gathering a Special Interest Groups (SIGs) were asked to submit a proposal for SIG meetings that take place after-hours. Due to declining submissions in this area, in 2004 anyone interested in gathering a SIG may post a notice at the conference. Several rooms will be set aside on Wednesday night for this purpose