Call for Special Sessions - Open
Special Session proposals are solicited covering special topics in all emerging research areas of DC Technologies and Applications, particularly themes not covered by the regular tracks. Special sessions provide the opportunity to focus in detail on emerging topics not reflected in the list of conference tracks or represent a specific working field where researchers would like to meet and discuss advances.
Proposal Content
If you intend to propose and organize a special session, please provide the committee with a proposal (in .DOC, .DOCX, or .ODT format) using the provided template and including the following information:
- Title of the Special Session.
- Brief description of the area of concern (approx. 100 words), with special focus on why this is an interesting and significant topic.
- The name and contact information of not more than 4 special session chairs, who are willing to promote and organize a sufficient number of quality submissions to the special session.
- A list of potential authors and their affiliations.
- A list of potential reviewers and their affiliations.
- An individual can be (co‐)organizer of up to TWO Special Sessions.
Organization of special sessions
Publicity
Once approved, the special session organizers are responsible for publicizing the Special Session among researchers and practitioners in the field and attracting a sufficient number of papers. The general organizing committee will support the Special Session organizers by sending a general call for papers for the general tracks and the special sessions through the PELS and IEEE emailing lists.
Review Process
Digests submitted to special sessions will undergo the same review process as regular papers. The special session organizers are responsible for organizing the review process of their respective special session, assuring at least three non-conflicting reviews per paper. The special session organizers are expected to invite and assign reviewers to their special session. During the review period, your role is to ensure timely response of the reviewers. The acceptance recommendation for the Special Session papers is expected to be made by the special session co-chairs within the designated deadline.
After the final manuscripts are received, special session co-chairs are expected to check whether the authors have addressed the reviewers' critical comments and verify quality of the submitted final paper.
Conflict of Interest
Before starting the review process, special session organizers must explicitly declare papers that present a conflict of interest for them. A conflict of interest arises where the judgment of a paper quality can be influenced by the organizers being authors or knowing some of the authors. To ensure independent reviews, this conflict must be marked as such in the submission system, and the SS Co-Chairs notified so that they can arrange the review process.
Restrictions
During the review process, Special Session Organizers must take into account that:
- An individual cannot be (co‐)author of more than two papers submitted to the same Special Session.
- Papers from organizers cannot exceed 60% of the contents of the Special Session.
Successful Special Session
A minimum of 6 accepted and registered papers (with timely paid participation fees). The authors of the digests submitted to a special session must represent at least 3 independent institutions and two different countries. If a session has too few papers, accepted papers will be allocated to regular sessions wherever possible. In case of indications of weakly organized special sessions, the conference organizers will support the organizers with advice but reserve measures, including cancellation of the respective special session.
Conference Registration Waiver
Organizers of successful Special Sessions must register for and attend the conference and chair the corresponding sessions. One complimentary full registration for successful Special Sessions with at least 6 accepted and registered papers will be provided.
Session Chairs
The organizers agree to serve as Session Chairs when the conference committee accepts a Special Session. In exceptional circumstances, the Technical Program Chairs and Conference General Chairs might take full control of appointing the Session Chairs should the Special Session organizers be unable to participate in the conference.
Proposal Submission
Please send your proposal in .DOC, .DOCX, or .ODT format to icdcm2025@taltech.ee. Proposals must be sent before the deadline.