The 2025 AM.ICAD (Audio Mostly & International Community for Auditory Display joint conference) Student ThinkTank will be held at the University of Coimbra on Monday, June 30, 2025 — the day before the main conference begins. The ThinkTank will be a full-day meeting for graduate and advanced undergraduate students working on projects in audio interface design, sonification, audio art, and/or related areas of sonic interaction design. Students who participate in the ThinkTank receive intensive feedback on their works-in-progress from a panel of audio research experts and AM.ICAD student peers. In addition to providing insights and constructive feedback on individual student projects, the ThinkTank is intended to foster friendships, networking, and additional opportunities for on-going formal and informal mentorship of students by the AM.ICAD community.
Submission deadline: April 4, 2025 (AoE)
Where to Submit: https://easychair.org/my/conference?conf=amicad2025
See important dates for more deadlines
Who Can Apply?
We invite graduate students or advanced undergraduate students to apply to present their work at the ThinkTank. Applicants who are selected to participate in the Thinktank will be required to prepare and present their work in person at the conference and to be present for the entirety of the day’s activities. In addition to the formal presentations of successful applicants, it is also possible to attend the session as an observer. If you’d like to register to attend as an observer, please send an email to neesm@lafayette.edu. We welcome applications from all students interested in sonic interaction design, even if you have never attended a previous AM.ICAD conference.
What Happens at the ThinkTank?
Student ThinkTank participants will prepare semi-formal presentations of their on-going work in audio interface design, sonification, audio art, and all related areas of sonic interaction design. Following each presentation, the panel and the student audience will offer constructive feedback and intensive discussion of the project. The ThinkTank is an especially useful opportunity for students to receive help with identifying and addressing potential pitfalls to the advancement of their projects. In addition to the student presentations, the ThinkTank will begin with an ideation ice-breaker session and will conclude with an open discussion on topics of interest to AM.ICAD students (e.g., advice on collaborations and professional development). Informal networking and discussion of mutual interests will be promoted throughout the day.
Submission Information
ThinkTank applications should include a one-page cover letter, a two-page research summary, a letter of recommendation from the student’s current advisor/supervisor, and a one-page CV, as described below.
1. One-page Cover letter
Your cover letter should include the following information:
- Statement of interest in participating in the ThinkTank;
- Full name of School and Department in which you are taking your degree;
- Current stage in your academic program (e.g., completed MS, 2 years into PhD);
- Name of the supervising professor;
- Your full contact information: address, phone number, and email address;
- Title of the research and keywords pertinent to the research;
- The URL of your web page (if any).
2. Two-page research summary
The research summary should provide a clear overview of (1) research that you have already conducted in audio interface design, sonification, audio art, and/or related areas of sonic interaction design; (2) research you are in the process of planning or completing; and/or (3) ideas for research that you would like to pursue. The statement should discuss the relevance and potential impact of the research on the field, and discuss its broader impact in the world. You are encouraged to include the following sections:
- Introduction, background, and problem description;
- Goal of the research;
- Current status of the research, including preliminary results (if any);
- Broader impact of this research;
- Potential topics to be discussed at the ThinkTank;
- Expected outcomes from participating in the ThinkTank: What do you hope to get out of this experience?
- Any additional suggestions for topics that you would like to discuss with peers and panelists during breakout sessions (career advice, on-going mentoring opportunities, collaborations, etc.).
3. Letter of recommendation
Include a letter of recommendation written by your current advisor or supervisor. Your advisor/supervisor is asked to verify that you are a graduate (or undergraduate) student, working in a relevant area. Advisors are also encouraged to include an assessment of the current status of your research and an indication of the expected date of its completion. In addition, your advisor is encouraged to indicate what they hope you would gain by participating in the ThinkTank.
4. Curriculum vitae (CV)
Please prepare a one-page CV that relates your background, relevant experience, and research accomplishments.
Selection and Notification
Up to 10 of the submissions will be selected for participation. The criteria used to select participants will include: (1) the relevance of the research to the ThinkTank topics; (2) the clarity and quality of the research questions posed in the application; and (3) the potential for the applicant to benefit from participating in the ThinkTank. The Panel will strive to select applicants and research topics which represent the diversity of people and interests in the sonic interaction design community, including students in all phases of the thesis or dissertation process. Notifications will be forthcoming in mid-April 2025.
All applicants may participate in the ThinkTank to observe the presentations and join in the discussions; however, only the ten selected submissions will be able to make a formal oral presentation.
ThinkTank Panel: The ThinkTank Panel will include a number of international researchers who work in the relevant areas. The full panel will be announced in Spring 2025.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to the ThinkTank/DC chairs if you have any questions, at info.amicad2025@dei.uc.pt
Student Think Tank & Doctoral Consortium Chairs
Michael Nees
Lafayette College, Easton, PA, United States
Mark Grimshaw-Aagaard
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST), China