Call for Participation

We invite contributions to a focused, informal event taking place during lunch on Wednesday, October 15th, exploring accessibility, inclusion, and systemic barriers in ubiquitous computing academia. This session is designed as a space for discussing systemic barriers in research, teaching, and academic participation, as well as for exploring strategies for navigating and challenging structural inequities. The event places particular focus on disabled researchers and other historically underserved or marginalised groups, but is open for anyone interested in promoting a more inclusive and equitable academic environment.

We welcome contributions related (but not limited) to the following themes:

• Barriers to academic participation for disabled researchers (e.g. institutional, procedural, or social obstacles)
• Accessible and inclusive research methods
• Systemic accessibility issues in academic technologies and tools
• Structural and cultural exclusion of underserved or marginalized communities (e.g., racialized scholars, first-generation academics, LGBTQ+ researchers, neurodivergent individuals) in the ubicomp community

Formats of participation

1. Panel participation
   A moderated conversation around one of the event’s themes
2. Short talks (~10 minutes)
   Presentation of research related with one of the event’s themes
3. Experience reflections (~5 minutes)
   Brief remarks about specific academic challenges
4. Lightning talks (~3 minutes)
   A short insight or idea to spark discussion
5. Expression of interest to attend
   Participation in the session without presenting

The final structure and format of the event will be shaped by the range and nature of submissions received. The organizing team will curate the program to reflect and support the contributions.

How to Participate

Please submit a short expression of interest by August 10th 2025 via inclusion-2025@ubicomp.org.

Include (in a single pdf):

• Your name and affiliation
• Preferred participation format
• Formats 1-4: Short abstract (max 150 words)

Please indicate any accessibility needs so we can accommodate them. For questions, contact inclusion-2025@ubicomp.org.

We recognize that some of the topics addressed in this session may carry personal or professional sensitivities or perceived stigma. If you have concerns about privacy, you are welcome to submit your expression of interest anonymously. To do so, you may use an anonymous email service (e.g., https://anonymousemail.me/ or https://proton.me/, or create a temporary email address) and omit identifying details in your submission.