The 2020 CES conference online submission systems for presentation, workshop, and thematic breakfast proposals are open until December 8. When filling your proposal, you will discover that the proposal forms include new questions that are related to diversity and cultural appropriation.

Diversity-related questions deal with gender identity, age, usual language, ancestry, and other minority identifications. They are asked of all members of the proposing team. They reflect C2020’s commitment to promoting diversity, supporting inclusion and building equity. We will also be asking for conference delegates, when they register, to self-identify (voluntarily) on these same characteristics. It will be confidential (privy only to members of the Program Committee) and used by C2020 to better understand and consider ED&I in the development of the conference program. It will also be used by C2020 in the subsequent sociocultural evaluation of all C2020 participants.

Another new area that C2020 is addressing is that of cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation refers to using intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artefacts from another culture without permission. The conference website offers more information. As part of the proposal forms, you will have to indicate that you have reviewed the cultural appropriation resources provided, reflected on the contents of your presentation, and believe that your proposed work does not involve cultural appropriation.

Now, draft that proposal!