Call for Proposals: 2021 LD4 Conference on Linked Data, “Building Connections Together”

The 2021 LD4 Conference Program Committee is excited to announce the opening of the call for proposals for the 2021 LD4 Conference, ( http://bit.ly/ld42021  ) which will be held online from July 12-23. We aim to build on the success of the LD4 2020 Conference (1,500+ attendees representing 22 countries, 86 presenters, and 11 themed tracks), while incorporating the community’s increased experience with online meetings, and the availability of improved online collaboration tools, to create an event that is interactive, accessible, and engaging.
We invite you to submit your proposal ( https://forms.gle/h8BVmSHrre8h4Xsy7  ) to be part of creating this conference! Successful proposals will focus on concrete ways that linked data impacts GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) institutions, and will share pathways that allow others to participate in linked data. We especially encourage proposals from participants, groups, regions, and topics that are traditionally underrepresented in conferences related to linked data. Even if you’ve never attended an LD4 conference before, we strongly encourage you to submit a proposal. By bringing together a broad range of perspectives, the conference seeks to create a community of practice for linked data in cultural heritage institutions.

Conference themes
Our ideal conference will include activities tailored to all levels of experience with linked data, with a focus on themes of:
Linked data education
Inclusion of diverse voices
Practical steps toward linked data adoption
Reliability and availability of linked data
Incorporating linked data into day-to-day library operations
Linked data advocacy

Throughout, we hope to provide opportunities for participants to connect with one another around shared challenges and interests, forming connections that can continue beyond the conference timeframe.

Creating a conference together
The conference will combine pre-planned activities (that’s what we’re soliciting here!) with content planned on the spot. (A separate call to participate in a virtual poster session will be made closer to the conference date.) To propose an activity for the conference, please fill in this proposal submission form ( https://forms.gle/h8BVmSHrre8h4Xsy7  ) by April 12. The Program Committee will communicate decisions for proposals by April 30.

Possible proposals include:
Lead a hands-on workshop, which could include participants doing self-paced work ahead of time
Facilitate a group project, where participants work toward a common goal
Host a “try-out” space, where participants can try new tools or skills
Facilitate a brainstorming session to solve a real-life challenge
Facilitate a study group, where participants come together to discuss material they have studied in advance
Deliver a presentation focused on a single topic, project or case study
Give a lightning talk
And more: surprise us!

The Program Committee will select proposals based on the following criteria:
Support of the conference theme and goals
Contribution to the ongoing linked data conversation within the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) community
Potential to encourage attendee participation and engagement and make the most of bringing people together “live”, online
Representation from groups, regions, and topics that are traditionally underrepresented in conferences related to linked data

Details
The conference will take place online, July 12-23, 2021.
The language of the conference is English, but there may be opportunities to meet in language-specific groups if there is interest.
The conference is free of charge, and general registration will open in May.
The conference is an initiative of the LD4 Community.
Questions about the conference and this call for proposals? See our website bit.ly/ld42021 or contact [log in to unmask] 

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2021 LD4 Conference Co-Chairs
Xiaoli Li (University of California, Davis)
Paloma Graciani Picardo (University of Texas at Austin)
Elizabeth Russey Roke (Emory University)

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