September 30, 2019

Call for Participation

You are invited to submit papers for the PEARC20 Conference – Catch the wave that will be held from July 26–30, 2020. Presentations may address any topic related to advanced research computing, but topics consistent with one or more of the following four technical tracks are of particular interest. Proposals may take several forms as indicated below. 

April 21, 2020 Update: PEARC20 will now be a virtual conference due to travel restrictions and health concerns from COVID-19. Over the next few weeks, we will be publishing more details around the structure of the conference after we receive feedback from the community. You can read our most recent announcement around this decision at https://pearc.acm.org/pearc20/coronavirus/.

Technical Tracks for PEARC20

Advanced research computing environments – systems and system software: Practice and experience relating to the system (computing hardware, storage hardware, visualization hardware, and network hardware) and system software that drives the “hardware” side of cyberinfrastructure and research computing environments. Examples of relevant topics: GPUs, CPUs, and FPGAs as computational environments; experience with advanced storage systems; hardware and systems for data-centric computing; networking challenges; design and use of visualization environments; funding and operating of advanced research computing facilities (including considerations of cost of locally-sited hardware vs remote hardware such as cloud facilities), systems procurement, systems administration, cybersecurity, practice and experience in facilitating the acquisition, operation, and use of advanced hardware, software, networks and services to securely and sustainably advance research, scholarship, and creativity; performance comparisons and performance aspects of cloud environments.

Application software, support, and outcomes: From research computing experts that enable discoveries and outcomes. In many cases application advances and support are somewhat interchangeable – a more intuitive application interface may reduce (or perhaps eliminate) some needs for support. Etc. Outcomes – discoveries, new scholarly insights, and new artistic creations – are the reason that we all do what we do. Examples of relevant topics: support for researchers and other end-users; building and sustaining partnerships among providers of advanced research computing; cost-effective use of cloud and shared HPC resources; peta- and exascale computation; data and extreme data challenges; development and implementation of computational methods and software to enable the application of advanced research computing to any field of research or scholarship; analysis and understanding of research data using statistics, databases, visualization, virtual reality, etc.; science gateways; workflow systems; description of novel results or breakthroughs achieved in any field of research or scholarship for which the use of advanced research computing; use of advanced research computing to advance science, engineering, medicine, manufacturing, scholarship, public services, the arts, etc., by developing and leveraging advanced hardware, software, tools, networks, and services; issues of supporting local systems, remote systems, and cloud environments go in this track. For example, this could include ways research computing experts have supported research, as well as examples of computing research and data-enabled research made possible through research computing infrastructure, software, and support.

People involved in research computing – workforce development, diversity, and professionalization: Practice and experience in developing and sustaining advanced research computing as a profession, and developing a highly proficient workforce that realizes the full potential of people in all demographic groups. Examples of relevant topics: training in advanced research computing; curriculum development for STEM, computer science, data science, and computational sciences; learning technologies; work with underserved communities, career and workplace improvement; professional development in relevant soft and technical skills, defining research computing, and data career tracks.

Trending nowmachine learning and artificial intelligence: Practice and experience related to the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to advance science, engineering, medicine, manufacturing, scholarship, public services, the arts, etc. Examples of relevant topics: development of algorithms and software for machine learning, neural nets, deep learning, and artificial intelligence; applications of such algorithms and software; design or use of specialized purpose hardware or software designed to enable such applications in the context of advanced research computing facilities.

Submission Requirements for PEARC20

Key dates:

  • January
    • January 22nd: Tutorial submissions due
    • January 22nd: Workshop submissions due
    • January 22nd: Special and Co-located Events submissions due
  • February: 
    • February 17th: Technical track full paper submissions due
    • February 17th: Lightning Talk Abstracts submissions due
    • February 24th: Student technical track full paper submissions due
  • May
    • May 1st: Poster submissions due 
    • May 1st: Student posters submissions due
    • May 1st: Panel submissions due
    • May 1st: BOF submissions due
    • May 15th: Visualization Theater submissions due
    • May 18th: All camera-ready submissions due
  •  
Submission types:
 
  • Technical papers
  • Student papers
  • Poster Presentations
  • Student Posters
  • Panels
  • Birds of a Feather Sessions
  • Visualization Theater
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops
  • Special and Co-located Events
  • Lightning Talks
 
Technical Tracks:
 
  • Advanced research computing environments – systems and system software
  • Application software, support, and outcomes
  • People involved in research computing: workforce development, diversity, and professionalization
  • Trending now – machine learning and artificial intelligence


EasyChair Submission:

The PEARC20 Technical Program Committee invites submissions to the four tracks listed above. Each submission will be subject to review. Full manuscripts must be submitted to EasyChairThe Technical Program Committee will make the final assignment of accepted proposals to one of the four parallel technical tracks, but submitters will be expected to select their preferred track. Submissions received after posted deadlines will not be considered. Review results will be shared on the following dates:

  • February 19th: Workshop and tutorial authors notifications
  • April 17th: Technical track paper author notifications
  • April 17th: Student technical paper track author notifications
  • Early May: Poster authors notifications
  • May 18th (May 15th): All camera-ready submissions due
  • May 22nd: Panel, BOF, and Visualization Theater author notifications

Additional information about the type of submission can be found below.

Technical Papers: Accepted technical papers will be included in the proceedings and presented orally in parallel track sessions (25 minutes for presentation including Q&A). The deadline for all manuscript submissions is February 17th, 2020. Submissions must include a full paper of 4-8 pages following the ACM template. Review results will be shared with submitters after April 17th, 2020. Authors will then have until May 18th, 2020 to submit camera-ready papers. Papers that are not accepted will be offered the option of presenting their work as a poster, and having a 4 page poster paper included in the proceedings. Authors will need to adjust submissions to be no more than 4 pages. 

Student papers: Must have a student lead author and a student presenter, if accepted. submission deadline is February 24th, 2020. Student submissions must include a full paper of 4-8 pages following the ACM template.

Poster Presentations: Accepted posters will be presented in a poster session at PEARC20, and submissions that include a 4 page poster paper will be included in the proceedings. The maximum presentation space for posters is 3.5 ft (1.1 m) wide by 4 ft (1.2 m) tall. Poster submissions should be 2-4 pages in length and use the ACM template. When submitting to EasyChair, submit your 2-4 page paper as a PDF (.pdf), and (optional) include a draft of the poster in the PDF file as the last page. The poster will not be included in the 2-4 page paper limits. The deadline for submissions is May 1st, 2020 (April 24th, 2020).

Student Posters: To qualify as a student poster, the primary author must be a student, and the work must be primarily theirs. At least one student author of an accepted student poster must attend the conference to present the work. The maximum presentation space for posters is 3.5 ft (1.1 m) wide by 4 ft (1.2 m) tall. Student poster submissions should be 2-4 pages in length and use the ACM template. When submitting to EasyChair, submit your 2-4 page paper as a PDF (.pdf), and (optional) include a draft of the poster in the PDF file as the last page. The poster will not be included in the 2-4 page paper limits. The deadline for submissions is May 1st, 2020 (April 24th, 2020).

Panels: Panel sessions may be either 90 (preferred) or 60 minutes in length and will be scheduled concurrently with or as part of parallel track sessions. Panel submissions should outline the names of the organizer(s) and panelists, and describe the specific contributions of each organizer or panelist. For panels that are similar to those presented previously by the same or similar organizer(s), the proposal should identify the venues of recent offerings and differentiate the PEARC20 submission from prior offerings. Panel submissions should be 2-4 pages in length. The deadline for submissions is May 1st, 2020.

Birds of a Feather Sessions: BoF sessions will be one hour in length, and will be scheduled at the conclusion of the afternoon programs on Tuesday and Wednesday. BoF submissions should include the proposed topic, list the names of the organizer(s) and panelists/presenters (if any), and describe the specific contributions of each organizer or panelist/presenter. For BoF sessions that have been presented previously by the same or similar organizer(s), the paper should identify the venues of recent offerings and differentiate the PEARC20 proposals from prior offerings. Submissions should indicate whether audio-visual equipment is required. BoF submissions should be 2-4 pages in length. The deadline for submissions is May 1st, 2020.

Visualization Theater: PEARC20 will include a visualization theater where the latest breaking visualizations and visualization-associated research projects will be projected in a theater-like venue as part of the conference. Submissions should consist of a movie file of a minimum resolution of 1920×1080 and no more than 3 minutes in length including title and credit. The movie file should contain a voice track and/or subtitles that narrates the video and/or a music track. For example: 

The submission should be accompanied by a 2 page abstract using the following ACM template. The abstract should include the following information: name and affiliation of the creator(s), a picture of the visualization, description of what is being visualized, where the data was obtained from the computational application that generated the data, any special or novel visualization techniques, tools, or software developed or used in the production of the visualization. The deadline for submissions is May 15th, 2020 (May 1st, 2020)

Tutorials: Tutorials provide participants with in-depth training in the use, facilitation, or operation of research computing and data resources and services. Tutorials should emphasize hands-on, practical content over lecture content and specify their target audience as Introductory, Intermediate, or Advanced in the proposed topic. Tutorial sessions will be scheduled in 3-hour and 6-hour sessions with morning, afternoon and lunch breaks provided by the conference. Tutorials may be proposed for a full-day (6-hours) session or a half-day (3-hours) session. Unlike prior years, we do not plan to include tutorials of any length other than full-day or half-day sessions. If you had been thinking about a quarter-day tutorial, please consider a BOF as an alternative format. Tutorial submissions must be 2-4 pages in length and include a detailed description of the tutorial, its format, proportion of hands-on activities, goals, target audience and skill levels, expected attendance, relevance to PEARC20 attendees, and any special requirements for room setup, networking, AV, etc. A list of proposed instructors and their roles must also be provided, along with a list of recent offerings of similar tutorials by the same or similar organizers. Submissions are due January 22nd, 2020

Workshops: Workshops provide a focused, in-depth venue for presentations, discussion, and interaction. Submissions will be selected with a preference for topics that inspire deep and interactive dialogue on important topics within the research computing and data communities. Workshop sessions will be scheduled in 3-hour and 6-hour sessions with morning, afternoon and lunch breaks provided by the conference. Workshops may be proposed for a full-day (6-hours) session or a half-day (3-hours) session. Unlike prior years, we do not plan to include workshop of any length other than full-day or half-day sessions. If you had been thinking about a quarter-day workshop, please consider a BOF as an alternative format. Workshop proposals must be 2 pages minimum length and include a detailed description of the workshop, it’s format, goals, target audience, expected attendance, relevance to PEARC20 attendees, and any special requirements for room setup, networking, AV, etc. If known, a list of proposed speakers and their roles should be provided, along with a list of recent offerings of similar workshops by the same or similar organizers. Submissions are due January 22nd, 2020.

Special and Co-located Events: As a venue that brings together representatives from across a wide range of communities, PEARC20 welcomes external groups and programs that want to host events and meetings during the conference. PEARC20 has several space options available Sunday through Thursday; short meetings may be accommodated during lunches or breaks in the Technical Program. All special and co-located events are expected to have their attendees register for the conference and reserve hotel rooms through the hotel block. Each group is expected to cover costs for extra food or room setup, including AV; not all spaces will have PEARC20-provided AV. Proposal documents should identify the hosting group and a primary point of contact for logistical questions, describe the purpose of the meeting (and whether it is open or closed to general attendees), and explain its alignment with the PEARC20 conference goals. In addition, proposals should estimate the anticipated number of attendees, provide information about the preferred scheduling, and identify any other room requirements, such as desired seating arrangements and AV needs. The submission title and abstract should be suitable for inclusion in the PEARC20 program, describing the event and its purpose. Special and co-located events requiring significant space or time, or of significant importance to PEARC20 attendees are encouraged to submit proposals by November 22nd, 2019. Proposals submitted before November 22nd will be given priority consideration. However, the final date to submit a special or co-located event proposal of any kind is January 22nd, 2020. Proposals submitted after January 22nd, 2020, will not be considered. Submit proposals via EasyChair (ACM format NOT required).

Lightning Talks: In order to support the presentation of early results, technology topics and ideas a series of 5 minute lightning talk will be available. The deadline for all manuscript submissions is February 17th, 2020This talk should be described in an extended abstract submission 1-2 pages in lengthTalks cannot exceed 5 minutes in length and all slides must be submitted prior to the start of the conference.