Call for Posters for MDWIT Annual Conference

The Multinational Development of Women in Technology (MDWIT) announces its first Networking Poster Forum to be held in conjunction with the 2010 Annual Conference on April 29, 2010, at the Columbia Towne Sheraton Hotel, in Columbia, Maryland.

Event Description

The Networking Poster Forum offers a unique opportunity for students, researchers, entrepreneurs, academics, and scientists to present and discuss: works in progress, demonstrations of new applications and techniques, practical implementations, industrial and commercial developments, technical or scientific research, implementation results, current research challenges, future directions, and novel approaches that are Enriching Lives Through Technology while Harnessing Global Diversity. This theme is intended to generate creative thinking to encourage the presenter to recognize how small research efforts or business ideas can create large ripples in the world around us and will help to highlight the importance of women’s contributions to the knowledge society in which we work and live.

All submissions related to this theme are welcome, especially those that focus on:

• Energy and Green Technology
• Information and Communication Technology
• Innovative Technology for Enhanced Global Networking and Business Solutions
• Environmental Challenges/Solutions
• Cyber-security
• Health and Wellness Technology
• Inventions/Engineering that solve current and future problems
• Other ideas are welcomed

The selection of posters will be based on its potential to create awareness, stimulate discussions, foster the exchange of ideas, and promote collaborations.

Government representatives; college and university faculty, students, and staff; entrepreneurs; secondary students; business professionals; and individuals in all areas of science (physical, chemical, and natural), information technology and other related scientific or technical fields are invited to submit posters to be displayed.

Requirements for Submission

Abstract summaries of the poster presentation submitted for consideration should be clear, descriptive and not longer than 400 words. They should contain the following specific information:

• Purpose of study/work and its relevance to the theme
• Results obtained
• Significance of findings
• Discussions and implications of results
• Submission Category (see below)

The document should be a Microsoft Word compatible attachment, double-spaced, using Times New Roman 12 point font. It should include a title page with the title of the work, the author’s name(s), affiliations, and contact information.

Submissions may include works in progress; industry demonstrations of new applications and techniques; practical implementations; industrial and commercial developments; academic research projects; recent research/implementation results; upcoming research challenges; future directions, and novel approaches.

Keep in mind, the intent of the Poster Forum is to showcase and promote the contributions of women working in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics fields as they relate to technologies.

Submission Categories:

• Business Technology – for women entrepreneurs or women working in a technology-related business, such as aerospace, manufacturing, IT, etc.
• Research Technology – women working in academia or a research facility
• Future Technology – focused on young women and girls (ages up to 23) interested in STEM careers

Requirements for Presentations

Presenters of selected posters must fulfill the following requirements:

• Have their abstract featured in the MDWIT 2010 Networking Poster Forum brochure and on the MDWIT website
• Print and bring the poster to the event for posting the day of the event but no later than 12:00 p.m. (Mounting materials will be provided.)
• Have at least one author present at all times during the Poster Forum
• Be able to present the work represented in the poster to the networking community to answer questions
• Follow the poster size specifications provided once the poster is accepted. (These will be standard size.)

Note that all posters accepted will have participant Poster Forum event fees waived for up to two presenters.

Future Tech Poster Contest

Young women and girls (ages up to 23) presenting posters will be eligible for this contest. Given adequate submissions, there will be two winners: one winner will be selected from among secondary school participants, and the second will be selected from undergraduate college student presenters. The winners will each receive a $500 academic scholarship, and will give a brief (2 – 5 minutes) oral presentation of their poster to the conference attendees during the Networking Poster Forum.

Important Dates

• Poster Abstract Submission Due Date: 29 March 2010
• Poster Abstract Final Selections: 9 April 2010
• Final Abstract Resubmission from Selected Awardees: 30 March 2010
• Abstracts Posted to Website (optional): 29 April 2010