Connectionists: Call for Abstracts: Workshop for Women in Machine Learning 2008

[Jo-Anne Ting]

CALL FOR STUDENT ABSTRACTS

Workshop for Women in Machine Learning
Co-located with NIPS, Vancouver, BC
December 8, 2008
http://www.wimlworkshop.org

Deadline for student abstract submissions: October 10, 2008

INTRODUCTION

Machine learning is one of the fastest growing areas of computer
science research. 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.

In spite of the wide reach of machine learning and the variety of
theory and applications it covers, 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 day-long workshop gives female faculty, research scientists, and
graduate students in the machine learning community an opportunity to
meet, exchange ideas and learn from each other. Underrepresented
minorities and undergraduates interested in pursuing machine learning
research are encouraged to participate.

A limited number of scholarships will be available for students to
offset travel costs.

Workshop registration is free.

WORKSHOP FORMAT

The one-day workshop will consist of talks by established researchers,
a poster session for graduate students to showcase their research, and
panel discussions to address current research trends and career
choices in machine learning.

STUDENT ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

We strongly encourage female students in all areas of machine learning
to submit an abstract (500 words or less) describing either new or
previously published research. Authors of accepted abstracts will be
asked to present their work in a poster session.

Abstracts should be submitted via the workshop website:
http://www.wimlworkshop.org

IMPORTANT DATES

Abstract submission deadline: October 10, 2008
Notification of acceptance: October 24, 2008
Registration deadline: November 15, 2008
Pre-workshop dinner: December 7, 2008
Workshop: December 8, 2008

ORGANIZERS

Luiza Antonie, University of Alberta
Anna Koop, University of Alberta
Jo-Anne Ting, University of Southern California
Joelle Pineau, McGill University (faculty advisor)