Connectionists: Workshop for Women in Machine Learning at Grace Hopper

[Michael L. Littman]

[insert the usual apologies for duplication...]

CALL FOR STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Workshop for Women in Machine Learning

Co-located with the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing San
Diego, California October 4, 2006

Deadline for student abstract submissions: August 15, 2006

INTRODUCTION

Machine learning is one of the fastest growing areas of computer science.
Search engines, face recognition, DNA sequence analysis, speech and
handwriting recognition, credit card fraud detection, premature baby
monitoring and autonomous locomotion are just some of the applications in
which machine learning is routinely used.

Despite the variety of machine learning techniques and applications, the
percentage of female researchers is lower than in many other areas of
computer science. Most women working in machine learning rarely get the
chance to interact with other female researchers, making it easy to feel
isolated and hard to find role models.

This one day workshop will give female faculty, research scientists, and
students in the machine learning community an opportunity to meet, exchange
ideas and learn from each other, while providing women in other areas of
computer science an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research in a
growing field.

Workshop registration is free.

WORKSHOP FORMAT

The workshop will consist of invited talks by established researchers,
shorter research talks by Ph.D. students, and a panel discussion intended to
address the controversial question: Are women shying away from theoretical
machine learning research, in favor of more practical applications?

STUDENT ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

We strongly encourage female students in all areas of machine learning to
submit an abstract (less than 500 words) describing either new or previously
published research. Authors of accepted abstracts will be required to give a
short talk about their research at the workshop.

Abstracts should be submitted via the workshop website:
http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~wiml/

IMPORTANT DATES

Abstract submission deadline: August 15, 2006 Notification of acceptance:
August 25, 2006 Registration deadline: September 15, 2006 Workshop dinner:
October 3, 2006
Workshop: October 4, 2006

ORGANIZERS

Lisa Wainer, University College London
Hanna Wallach, University of Cambridge
Jenn Wortman, University of Pennsylvania

For more information, please visit: http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~wiml/