IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)
Technology for the Benefit of Humanity // Villanova University, USA / October 12-15, 2023

Program 2023

Preliminary GHTC 2023 Program Concept

 

For GHTC2023, the program is being rethought:

  • 2 1/2 days of papers plus an opening night souk for posters, papers, and ideas
  • Refocus sessions around key ideas that emerge from papers vs SDGs
  • 20 minute plenary talks plus time to socialize and question the speakers, one each day.
  • More papers per session, shorter talk times = more discussion time (panel format)
  • Combine research and implementation papers into the same session
  • Fewer tracks = more people in each room
  • Student gathering night after first paper
  • Allow remote presentations in single session, especially for international participants

 

Preliminary schedule (subject to change) [only 2 parallel paper sessions shown]

Wednesday, 11-Oct-23
1700 – 2100+
(in ballroom with exhibitor booths)

Evening souk (marketplace/bazaar) with light food and cash bar. Every poster, every paper, and people with additional ideas are asked to grab some floor space, some wall space, maybe some thumb tacks and “sell” their ideas to passersby. Everyone will get some “money” to “buy” ideas they enjoy. As they earn staters (money based upon the Lydian Stater – the first known/named currency) from selling, they can then use their staters (given and earned) to buy more from others. Everyone wins, but at the end of the conference staters can be turned in for a prize (TBD).

Thursday, 12-Oct-23
0800 – 1000
(in ballroom)

Opening remarks and breakfast springboard plenaries – two 30 minute talks that advocate something new and challenge us to do better work—while people eating breakfast in the room. Would like one on education, one on research, one on implementation. What’s wrong with how tech in global development is done now and how can the future be better.

1000 – 1030 (break)
(in ballroom with exhibitor booths)

Time to interact with speakers and catch up with old friends

1030 – 1230
papers sessions

Session 1A – 8 x 8 minute talks (“panel sessions”) followed by 60 minutes of Q&A and discussion.

Session 1B – 8 x 8 minute talks (“panel sessions”) followed by 60 minutes of Q&A and discussion.

1230 – 1400
(in ballroom with exhibitor booths)

Lunch with updates from IEEE, GHTC committee, etc. Launch next conference

1400 – 1600
papers sessions
Session 2A – 8 x 8 minute talks (“panel sessions”) followed by 60 minutes of Q&A and discussion. Session 2B – 8 x 8 minute talks (“panel sessions”) followed by 60 minutes of Q&A and discussion.
1600 – 1630 (break)

Time to interact with speakers and catch up with old friends

1630 – 1800
papers sessions

Session 3A – 5 x 8 minute talks (“panel sessions”) followed by 50 minutes of Q&A and discussion.

Session 3B – 5 x 8 minute talks (“panel sessions”) followed by 50 minutes of Q&A and discussion.

1830 – 2030

Conference social and speaker

Friday, 13-Oct-23
0800 – 1000
(in ballroom)

Breakfast plenaries – three 20-30 minute talks that highlight exciting implementation projects that have scaled.

1000 – 1030 (break)

Time to interact with speakers and say hello to old friends.

1030 – 1230
(in ballroom with exhibitor booths)

Young Plenaries – three 20-30 minute talks highlighting exciting implementation projects that have scaled.

1230 – 1430
(in ballroom with exhibitor booths)

Lunch

1300 – 1430
(in ballroom)

Official Poster Session?

1500 – 1700

Session 4A – 8 x 8 minute talks (“panel sessions”) followed by 60 minutes of Q&A and discussion.

Session 4B – 8 x 8 minute talks (“panel sessions”) followed by 60 minutes of Q&A and discussion.

1800 – offsite

Theme dinners – pre-reserved 10 seat reservations at restaurants, with some pre-planned themes. Plus student reception by Villanova students

Saturday, 14-Oct-23
0800 – 1000

Breakfast Networking Session – split up into rooms based upon interests

1030 – 1230

Session 5A – 8 x 8 minute talks (“panel sessions”) followed by 60 minutes of Q&A and discussion.

Session 5B – 8 x 8 minute talks (“panel sessions”) followed by 60 minutes of Q&A and discussion.

Sunday, 15-Oct-23
Virtual track(s)?