MW-photo
April 11-14, 2007
San Francisco, California

Session Formats

MW2007 features a variety of sessions exploring all aspects of the creation, development, maintenance and evaluation of Web sites in museums, cultural and heritage organizations.

Call for Participation

You are invited to participate in the annual Museums and the Web conference. Program proposals are now being accepted. If you are interested in participating, please review the Call for Participation (PDF) and submit your proposal using our on-line form.

The deadline for paper proposals is September 30, 2006. Proposals will be reviewed by the Program Committee. The program will be announced by November 30, 2006. Demonstration Proposals will be accepted until December 31, 2006.

Session Formats

MW2007 offers a number of different formats within which to present your work. Please choose the format most appropriate to your subject matter. Even the best ideas can be rejected if proposed for an inappropriate venue.

Papers in Sessions
In this traditional conference presentation format, thematic groups of three or four papers are presented in a set time slot, moderated by a chairperson. Written papers are required. Speakers present their salient contributions in approximately 20 minutes, and the chair facilitates a question period. Papers are reviewed individually; proposals for entire sessions are seldom accepted.
Demonstrations
In this less formal presentation format, individual museum professionals demonstrate their work in an exhibit hall environment. Similar to 'poster sessions' found at other conferences, Demonstrations allow for hands-on interaction with applications and one-to-one conversation about their development. Demonstrations are limited to museum and non-profit staff only; no commercial or consulting participation is permitted. Written papers are not required, but may be submitted.
Interactions
For this innovative presentation format a time and space is set aside for the exchange of ideas– often creative or artistic– in a less structured, more interactive manner. Presenters are in charge of designing the interaction and facilitating it. Written papers are encouraged.
Interactions: Mini-Workshops
With a time-slot slightly longer than a formal paper, a mini-workshop allows for the presentation of a practical skill, and the development of a discussion with the audience about its execution. Written papers are required.
Interactions: Professional Forum
In this discussion based format, a time and space are set aside for the exploration of issues and developments facing the profession. The Convener, who proposes the forum, presents the issue, and facilitates the discussion. Written position papers are encouraged.
Pre-Conference Workshops
In this traditional conference presentation format, small groups gather for a full or half day to the formal MW conference, for the development of new skills. Workshop presenters are experienced professionals with valuable insights to share. Proposals should include a syllabus, and an outline of the learning objectives for attendees.

Companies active in the field are encouraged to participate in the Exhibit Hall. Individual professionals may propose papers, but these may not focus on a commercial product.

Deadlines

Program Proposals will be accepted until September 30, 2006.

Demonstration Proposals will be accepted until December 31, 2006.

Proposal Review

All proposals are subject to critical peer-review. Participants will be selected by the Program Committee, based on the quality of their proposals, their previous work, and the recommendations of the committee.

Acceptance may be conditional upon refining your proposal, and may require the submission of a revised abstract. The Committee may judge that a different format is more appropriate for the proposed content, e.g. a Demonstration rather than a formal Paper and offer that type of slot on the program.

The decision of the Program Committee is final. Selected speakers will be contacted by November 30, 2006.

Paper Submission and Presentation

All speakers at MW2007 must submit written papers by January 30, 2007. Papers must be submitted according to the Guidelines for MW2007 Papers. Speakers who do not submit their paper in the appropriate format, by the deadline, will forfeit their place on the program.

Speakers are urged to consult the Guidelines for Speakers when preparing their presentations.