{"id":141,"date":"2020-04-29T18:12:16","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T18:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sigdoc.acm.org\/conference\/2020\/?p=141"},"modified":"2020-04-29T18:12:16","modified_gmt":"2020-04-29T18:12:16","slug":"chairs-statement-on-sigdoc-2020-transition-to-virtual-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/sigdoc.acm.org\/conference\/2020\/chairs-statement-on-sigdoc-2020-transition-to-virtual-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Chair’s Statement on SIGDOC 2020 Transition to Virtual Event"},"content":{"rendered":"

I am writing on behalf of the SIGDOC Executive Committee to let you know that we have officially passed a resolution to transition our SIGDOC 2020 Conference from an in-person event in Denton, TX to a virtual event. The resolution we passed is signed and linked here on our website under \u201cAnnual Reports and Minutes.<\/a>\u201d The summary of our resolution is such:<\/p>\n

SIGDOC 2020 will continue as a virtual event during October 2020 with the existing conference committee and current co-location agreement with CPTSC.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Executive Committee and Conference Committee have deliberated and carefully examined our options for the 2020 conference. We foregrounded our discussions by articulating our values as an organization, which are: valuing human well-being; engaging in financial stewardship; respecting labor; foregrounding accessibility; supporting early-career scholars; establishing continuity; managing community and network-building; supporting innovation; valuing industry practices; and maintaining and facilitating interorganizational and international relationships.<\/p>\n

Once these values were articulated, we then considered the options in front of us, which were: (1) continue to run an in-person event; (2) transition to a virtual event;\u00a0(3) cancel the event; or (4) postpone and meet in Denton in 2021.\u00a0We have opted to transition to a virtual event (option 2), as it was the option that aligned best with and met most of our articulated values as an organization.<\/p>\n

More specifically, first and foremost, we prioritize the health and safety of our attendees. Given the uncertainty of the virus and what the conditions will look like in the Fall, we wanted to reduce any health risks for our attendees who may be concerned about traveling during this time.<\/p>\n

Second, many attendees are feeling the economic impacts of the virus, which has led to precarious employment and the reduction of funding for conference travel and professional development. If we go ahead with the conference given the uncertainty and risk, it will privilege attendees who are both the healthiest and have the most institutional support\/income. And therefore would constitute an exclusive space.<\/p>\n

Third, SIGDOC continues to strive for inclusive and accessible ways to create community, share research and knowledge, and connect with one another. Since we will not be able to do so in person this year, we wanted to take this opportunity to shift to a virtual experience to ensure anyone who wants to participate in the conference can do so. We are still envisioning what this virtual experience will look like for 2020 and will continue to communicate with you as it evolves.<\/p>\n

In the spirit of continuity, the shift to a virtual event will take place with the same team assembled:<\/p>\n