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HCSNet Book

Last week we announced that we were considering putting together a book of previously-published papers by HCSNet members. We've had around a dozen responses to that message, but that's not enough to make the project fly. So, here's a rerun of last week's message:

It has been suggested that we might, as a way of leaving a legacy that represents what HCSNet has been about, produce a book consisting of a collection of papers on human communication science. But instead of asking people to write new material, the book would consist of reprints of relevan journal and conference papers by HCSNet members. To be appropriate, such papers would have to be reasonably generally accessible (although we might expect to add short prefaces or other introductory material to bridge gaps), and would have to have already been published in a high quality journal or conference. We would aim to publish this with a reputable publisher, and we'd aim to sort out the republication issues and other associated administration. If this idea sounds interesting to you, please send an email to newsletter@hcsnet.edu.au by March 12th 2010, with details of the paper you'd like to propose for inclusion.

Call for Papers HCSNet Workshop - Submission Date Extended

The HCSNet Workshop: Advances in Speech Production: Tools, Techniques and Recent Research submission date has been extended to Monday 15 March 2010. This two-day workshop will be held on at MARCS Auditory Laboratories, University of Western Sydney, and will introduce some of the key tools used in speech production research, e.g., EMA, NDI WAVE system; Optical motion capture, Ultrasound, Electropalatograph (EPG), Electroglottograph (EGG) and describe how data produced by these techniques can be usefully analyzed and used to visualize speech articulation. This workshop will provide hands on demonstrations of how such technology is being used to explore the intricacies of both speech production and perception. The workshop will also provide opportunity for participants to engage in demonstrations and tutorials. The workshop will provide a terrific opportunity for “hands on” demonstrations and tutorials in a team of international and national experts who will provide specialist knowledge.

HCSNet will fund a number of travel grants of up to $500 to help cover the costs of travel and accommodation for Australian-based HCSNet members from outside the Sydney area. For more information, including details of submission formats and travel bursary conditions, please see: http://www.hcsnet.edu.au/hcsnetevents/2010/asp_2010.

PhD scholarship - Department of Computing, Macquarie University

The project is called Intelligent Pedagogical Agents within a Multi-user Virtual Environments to aid the Learning and Transfer of Challenging Scientific Knowledge and Skills. The overall goal of the larger project is to investigate centrally important issues related to learning in multi-user virtual learning environments (MUVEs) and approaches for their integration into Australian science education classrooms. This PhD project will focus on the use of intelligent agents to support learning, considering in particular when and how agents should intervene to provide a collaborative machine-teacher-student learning environment.

Applications are sought for a suitably qualified candidate, with either a first-class Honours (or equivalent) and/or Masters by Research degree in a discipline relevant to the final PhD topic that is approved for study. Domestic and international applicants will be considered. A/Prof Debbie Richards will supervise the successful applicant; however the work will involve participation within a cross-institutional and international team (University of Sydney/Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) working on related topics. For more information please see our jobs page: http://www.hcsnet.edu.au/jobs.

Call for Papers Extension: ICA 2010

There has been a very good response to the call for abstracts for the 20th International Congress on Acoustics (ICA 2010) to be held in Sydney on the 23-27 August 2010. Following a number of requests the Committee advises that the closing date for the submission of abstracts has been extended to Friday 19 March 2010. Abstract submissions can be made via the online form available on the congress website where full instructions and topic listings can be found. This congress covers all areas of acoustics and optional peer review is available for papers. The proceedings of this conference incorporates the Annual Conference of the Australian Acoustical Society which have received an A ranking in the recent ARC ranking of conference proceedings. For further details on any aspect of the congress including plenary speakers, sponsorship and technical exposition, accommodation, touring options, associated meetings and information on Sydney please check the congress website: http://www.ica2010sydney.org.