Program

Since its inception, the EPIC conference has brought together a dynamic community of practitioners and scholars concerned with how ethnographic thinking and methods for understanding the contemporary social world are used to transform design, business and innovation contexts. Presenters and attendees come from innovation consultancies, design firms, universities and design schools, government and NGOs, research agencies and major corporations.

In 2013, EPIC comes to London for the first time. We are taking advantage of this opportunity by reaching out for contributions from a broad range of organizations and communities of practice in the hope of further enriching the EPIC ‘gene pool’ with those dedicated to illuminating social phenomena through ethnographic theory and practice. We are seeking engagement with social design firms, public policy developers, think tanks, the variety of marketing sciences, business schools, the service design sector, in fact anyone using ethnographic research to inform design, business, or innovation.

EPIC strives to serve as the premier site for deepening the contributions of ethnographic theory and practice in business and for maintaining a vibrant discussion about the significance of this work for industry and the world. In 2013, we break from the tradition of having a specific conference theme to refocus on how ethnographic ways of knowing the world are currently being used to transform it.

In 2013 we’re particularly interested in submissions of original research and material that address how ethnographic work is being thought about and practiced in the contemporary world. This may take the form of various theories made relevant and useful today, present discussions on technology such as Big Data, and the future of various public sectors which are in a state of transition.

In particular we seek submissions that illuminate:

• how ethnographers are pushing the boundaries of theory from the social sciences and humanities (i.e., rituals, symbolic interpretation, gift-exchange, kinship, participation, access and agency, etc.), to interpret, understand and render contemporary practices and processes intelligible
• the phenomenon of Big Data and the use of technology to support ethnographic data collection, organization and analysis
• how ethnographic research and social science thinking inform sectors in transition, such as finance, education and energy

For EPIC2013 we seek submissions for Papers, Artifacts and PechaKucha sessions.

We welcome submissions that report original research, reflections on theoretical concerns, methodological advances, or other insights that contribute to and broaden our understanding of ethnographic praxis.

Papers should present new perspectives, new developments, and new work within our practice whilst demonstrating the links between these new perspectives and existing literatures and debates. We encourage perspectives from diverse disciplinary backgrounds.

We place a strong emphasis on presentation of the papers at the conference, aiming for the key ideas in the papers to be communicated in the most compelling and effective ways possible.

Submission Outline

Paper submissions must include:

• Title and outline of full paper
• References to relevant literature or other types of previous work
• The abstract should be 750 words long
• To facilitate blind review this document should NOT contain any references to the author’s identity

The timeline for submissions and preparation of accepted papers is as follows:

• Call announced - 4th February
• Extended deadline for submissions - 19th March
• Notices of acceptance - 4th May
• First draft presentation submitted to curator - 17th June
• Second draft of paper sent to curator and other session authors - 29th June
• Reviews sent back to author by curator / other session authors - 6th July
• Documentation for Proceedings uploaded to Precision - 5th September
• Final draft presentation submitted to curator - 9th September

The Review and Paper Preparation Procedure

Abstract submissions will be put through a double blind review process; reviewers will not know who the authors are. Authors are encouraged to take care to minimize references in the abstract that may reveal their identities and their companies or institutions. Relevant references to an author’s previous research, or their organization’s products or services should not be suppressed but instead referenced in a neutral way.

• Papers are to be uploaded to the Precision conference system, which requires author information not made available to reviewers
• Authors of abstracts selected for the conference, will be expected to submit full papers for publication in the proceedings.
• Papers accepted for submission and presented at the conference will be published in the EPIC Proceedings
• Papers should not exceed 5000 words in length, excluding reference.

Any questions? Email papers@epiconference.com

We welcome your submissions to one of EPIC’s most engaging and invigorating platforms to introduce evocative thinking in a powerfully visual way: our popular Pecha Kucha events.

Pecha Kucha (pronounced: "peh-cha-ku-cha'') presentations are a rapid-fire, engaging performance of 20 image-rich slides. Each slide shows for exactly 20 seconds before automatically moving to the next. Total presentation time is a speedy 6 minutes, 40 seconds.

This year, we are breaking tradition from choosing a singular theme and invite submissions that help shine a compelling, impassioned and distinct perspective of how ethnographic ways of knowing are being used to transform design, business or innovation from the board room to the streets.

PechaKucha submissions will be selected on the originality of content, use of unexpected and provocative visuals and a strong narrative. 

Who should apply:

We encourage submissions that represent the diversity of the EPIC community, from designers to policy makers, and established leaders to those just beginning their careers. As we’re committed to curating powerful ideas and narratives, we will offer feedback and guidance to accepted presenters to create the best experience possible – off and on the stage – for you.

Submissions should include:

Submissions should be a single page describing the proposed PechaKucha concept (.pdf or .docx.) that includes…

• a brief 150-word description of the concept.
• at least five images which you intend to use in the presentation - this information should convey to reviewers what is the main point to be communicated and how it will be communicated.
• To facilitate blind review this document should NOT contain any references to the author’s identity

Submissions are to be uploaded to the Precision conference system which requires author information not made available to reviewers.

The Review and Paper Preparation Procedure for PechaKucha presentations is as follows:

• CFP announced - 4th February
• Deadline for submissions - 26th March
• Notices of acceptance - 11th May
• First draft submitted to curator - 26th July
• Documentation for Proceedings uploaded to Precision - 5th September
• Final presentation submitted to curator - 9th September

Any questions? Email PechaKucha@epiconference.com

The artifacts category is a chance to share and explore the physical manifestation of ethnographic praxis. It seeks to provide participants with an opportunity to present work in different formats and in a forum that facilitates open discussion.

There is no limit to the formats of artifacts. They can be anything from products you’ve made, short films, conceptual objects, design sketchbooks, visualizations of reformed organizational processes, prototypes, or research tools.

Our objective is to make the artifacts a strong, ever-present and lively part of the conference. There will be a dedicated artifact session, but artifacts will be on view for the duration of the conference.

The artifacts should be highly engaging; they should encourage interaction with the object itself as well as discussion amongst attendees.

Submissions should include a single page describing and illustrating the proposed artifact. The one-pager should describe the following:

• What is the artifact? (A research tool, a concept or product, an explanatory model, a visualization of an insight, etc.)
• What are its key features or aspects?
• What is its intended usage and main purpose?
• What actual thing would you put on display at EPIC? (Computer with digital tool, photographs, video, consumer product, etc.)
• So what? Why is it interesting to an EPIC audience?

Also include:

• One or two images of the artifact (Photo or sketch)
• Anticipated technical and spatial requirements (Power, screen, table space, etc.)

The timeline for submissions and preparation of accepted artifacts is as follows:

• CFP announced 4th February
• Deadline - 15th April
• Notices of acceptance - 11th May
• First draft artifact submitted to curator - 24th June
• Documentation for Proceedings uploaded to Precision conference system - 5th September
• Other details will be communicated to successful submitters by the Artifacts curators.

Please direct questions to artifacts@epiconference.com

The Doctoral and Masters Colloquium is a day-long forum where PhD and Masters students engaged in supervised thesis research meet to discuss their research, present issues of concern to them, and receive feedback from a panel of experienced EPIC researchers and practitioners as well as other student participants. We welcome applicants from a broad range of disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, cognitive science, design science, organizational studies, and related fields. Applicants’ research should involve the application of ethnographic theory and method in the context of business and industry (both for profit and not for profit). Enrollment is limited to approximately 15 students and selection will be based on the overall quality of the application and relevance to the EPIC mission of promoting the integration of social and cultural perspectives, theory, and method into business and organizational practice. Participants will be expected to give short, informal presentations of their doctoral or masters research during the Colloquium, to be followed by discussion.

Applications to participate in the Colloquium should include the following:

• A 2-3 page overview of your doctoral or masters research, including a statement of your research problem or rationale, research questions and methods, the status of current work, and expected contributions to your field of interest.
• Your intended career objectives as you envision them at this point (these may be either academic or practice-related).
• A paragraph that describes what you hope to gain from attending the EPIC Doctoral and Masters Colloquium.
• A short (1-2 paragraph) biographical sketch.
• Optional:  Letter of recommendation from a research mentor or advisor.

Please submit proposals through https://precisionconference.com/~epic/


• Submission deadline – May 11th
• Notification of provisional acceptance – June 9th

Additional dates for review, submission of drafts etc will be communicated to successful submitters by the Graduate Symposium curators.

Any questions? Email colloquium@epiconference.com