FAQ

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Q. What happens in a workshop?

At PLSC, papers are introduced by a “commenter.” This commenter discusses the basic contours of the paper and invites the workshop group to discuss themes and questions raised by it. The author participates in the discussion, but does not present or otherwise direct the conversation. The idea is to help the author understand how others interpret the paper, and to give advice on content and even the strategy of getting published. Workshops are both informal and friendly in nature.

Q. What is the dress code?

Whatever you want to wear. Really. Most participants wear something approximating business casual.

Q. Do I need to submit a paper?

No. Most PLSC participants do not write a paper for PLSC and instead participate in the various paper discussions.

Q. What are the deadlines this year?

Abstract submission: Friday, January 20, 2017

Abstract acceptance: Friday, February 10th, 2017.

Workshop draft due: Friday, May 5, 2017.

Q. What conflicts of interest do I need to disclose in my paper?

In 2017, the PLSC program committee adopted a series of rules concerning sponsored projects and funding for research programs. We will no longer accept work where a sponsor has a) a right to pre-publication review, b) a right to pre-publication veto, and/or c) payola, sponsorship that dictates certain outcomes in research. Furthermore, all authors are now required to disclose all sources of direct material support for the paper or its research program, and to list all the entities that have provided funding to any author in a consulting or legal representation capacity.

Q. I like to use slides. Is there a projector and a laptop in the workshop room?

No. Our workshop (and economic) model is based on participant conversation, not presentation.

Q. When will papers be available?

Authors’ drafts are due this year on Friday, May 5, 2017.

Q. Where are the papers?

We circulate a link to our conference system to participants by email. Shortly after the conference, we delete the papers. If you would like a paper from a previous PLSC, just email the author.

Q. I’d like to report/blog/tweet about the conference. What is the hashtag?

Because authors’ drafts are incomplete and ideas inchoate, we ask that you do not publicize the papers or discussions at PLSC. The point is to help scholars think through their work, and thus we do not blog or tweet, or include journalists at the PLSC.

Q. Are there conference proceedings?

No. There is no commitment (or opportunity) to publish.  

Q. What if my abstract is not accepted? Have I just forfeited the fee?

The point of PLSC is to build a community around privacy scholarship and so we think you ought to still participate in the event. But if you want to cancel, you are free to do so. You may ask for a refund until May 1, 2017 by emailing bclt@law.berkeley.edu.

Q. I need to cancel. Can I get my fee refunded?

Yes, so long as you ask for a refund by May 1, 2017 by emailing bclt@law.berkeley.edu.

Q. May I pay the fee by check?

Yes, please make your check out to the “UC Regents” and mail it to BCLT Attn: PLSC Registration, 421 Law Building, North Addition, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law Berkeley, California, 94720-7200

Q. How can I register for PLSC 2017?

Apologies, you cannot. PLSC is an invite only conference.

Q. Are there other PLSCs?

Yes. There is PLSC-Europe, which rotates among University of Amsterdam Institute for Information Law (IVIR), University of Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society (TILT), and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel Research Group on Law, Science, Technology & Society (LSTS). 

There is also the Northeast Privacy Scholars Workshop, sponsored by the Innovation Center for Law and Technology at New York Law School and The Center on Law and Information Policy at Fordham University School of Law.

Q. When is PLSC 2018?

PLSC is typically held the first Thursday and Friday of June. However, in 2018, our venue is booked in June. So, PLSC 2018 will be May 30–31, 2018 (Wednesday–Thursday) at the George Washington University Marvin Center. We apologize for deviating from our normal dates.