[Air-L] Call for Expressions of Interest Conference Hosts for AoIR2026

[Michelle, Association of Internet Researchers]

The Executive Committee of the Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR)
is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from prospective Conference Hosts
for AoIR’s annual meeting in October 2026, *which will take place in North
America.*

*We will consider two kinds of proposals*. The *first* is our regular
model, where the proposers wish to bring AoIR to their city and/or
university. This proposal includes a core conference committee (as far as
is possible this far in advance). The *alternate approach* involves
individuals who would like to run an AoIR conference nominating themselves
to do so, with AoIR choosing the location (based on cost, convenience, and
other considerations). In this case, AoIR would put together a committee,
though we are also open to groups putting themselves forward as a
pre-formed committee (or a part of one) too. We see this as widening the
potential pool of AoIR conference committee members, including program
chair. Please reach out to prez at aoir.org with any questions about this new
hosting possibility.

*EOIs are due to the AoIR Executive Committee by 15 April 2024*. EOIs will
be reviewed by the AoIR Executive Committee, who will then gauge
feasibility through a series of follow-up discussions with proposers.
Proposers for the 2026 conference will be informed of decisions regarding
conference hosting by September 2024. The AoIR membership will be informed
of the 2026 conference location during the AGM at AoIR2024 in Sheffield.

The AoIR conference draws an international group of around 600 researchers
and practitioners to present and discuss work at the cutting edge in
understanding the individual, social, political, economic and cultural
aspects of the internet and related technologies. The conference host
committee is a regional group of scholars that may be part of the same or
different organizations. They are also invited to propose a Program Chair.
The Program Chair oversees the submissions and review process of papers,
panels, workshops, and preconferences, and schedules the conference
sessions. The Program Chair may be a member of the organization that acts
as Conference Host. Members of the Conference Host Committee should have a
strong existing connection to AoIR.

Serving on the conference host committee is a large commitment. The role of
the committee is to make contributions to the conference theme and call for
papers, identify keynote and plenary speakers, plan and provide crucial
local knowledge and connections, and oversee region-specific fundraising
(where possible, provide venue space at cost or in kind). AoIR will assist
with the practical conference planning, including negotiating contracts
with hotels, meeting venues, catering, and the like, and will partner with
the host committee on many of the administrative details of the conference,
such as reception and meal planning, AV and wifi provision, and exhibitor
displays.

*Teams* that are interested in hosting the conference in their
university(ies)/city should *submit a brief expression of interest by 15
April, 2024*. The EOI should include the following and be no longer than 5
double-spaced pages:


   1. the individuals and organization(s) involved, and their proposed
   roles;
   2. the connection of proposers to internet research and to AoIR;
   3. a description of any prior experiences proposers have had with
   organizing or hosting a conference, and the roles played in this;
   4. an argument to support the proposed conference location, especially
   with respect to ease of travel for AoIR’s multinational community of
   conference participants;
   5. initial thoughts on local venue options (AoIR has in the past held
   the annual conference at a variety of venue spaces including universities,
   conference centers, and hotels);
   6. prospective conference dates, keeping in mind any major local,
   national, and international holidays, semester schedules, or other aspects
   that might affect the timing of the conference;


*Individuals* or groups who are interested in running the 2026 conference
at a site to be determined by AoIR should write a letter of application
indicating their relevant skills and experience. Feel free to team up with
other people, if you feel you can.

You are encouraged to contact Nik John with questions so that we can help
you understand what hosting AoIR2026 entails.

Expressions of interest or questions can be sent to prez @ aoir.org.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Nicholas John
President, Association of Internet Researchers