[UAI] Bayesian Modelling Applications WS -- Second Call 
                     (second posting)
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     THE FOURTH BAYESIAN MODELLING APPLICATIONS WORKSHOP
                      DURING UAI-06

                 CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
                     July 13th, 2006
                    Cambridge, MA, USA

        Special Theme:  Bayesian models meet Cognition

       Submission of contributions due: April 21st, 2006
     Enquiries and submissions to: uai-workshop AT cs.uu.nl


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GOAL
----

As in the previous years, the goal of the workshop is to provide
a focused, informal forum for a fruitful exchange of research
questions and insights, of experiences, and of methodologies and
techniques among theorists, practitioners and tool developers in
the application of Bayesian models to a wide range of application
areas.  As an additional avenue of exchange, eligible contributions
will be compiled into proceedings in addition to the overall
conference publication.  Based on the response at the workshop,
papers will be selected for later publication in a special handbook
or journal issue.


SPECIAL TOPIC AREA
------------------

This year we are especially encouraging contributions that address
our special theme

   "Bayesian models meet Cognition"

In particular, we are looking for papers that focus on issues in
the application of Bayesian models that involve human factors.
Examples include, but are not restricted to, the following issues.

In the construction of a Bayesian model, often both its graphical
structure and its associated numerical parameters are acquired from
human experts.  For this purpose, dedicated elicitation techniques
are being designed.  Do these techniques forestall, for example,
biases and over-commitments of the resulting model?  Are these
techniques easy to use, taking relatively little time on the part
of the experts?  Do the techniques scale up to building large
models?  How can knowledge obtained from multiple experts be
combined?  How can experts be involved in assessing the quality of
the resulting model?

Bayesian models usually are developed with a "real world" setting in
mind and are tailored to this setting.  The model will be consulted
by users who have to enter data, to understand the output, to assess
the validity and robustness of the output, and to receive support in
their reasoning and decision-making processes.  How can data entry be
organised and supported, to allow for easy use of the model?  How can
the output of the model be presented to the user, to allow for easy
and correct interpretation?  How can the output of the model be
explained to the user?  How can the model support "what-if" reasoning
processes?


GENERAL FOCUS
-------------

The emphasis of this year's workshop is on cognitive issues that
have to be addressed when developing and using Bayesian models.  We
are encouraging submissions that address fundamental issues, present
concrete solutions, describe experiments, or analyse open problems,
within a broad range of application areas involving diagnosis,
optimisation, temporal reasoning, spatial reasoning, and forecasting.

In addition to submissions addressing human factors, we also welcome 
contributions to the overall focus of Bayesian modelling.  Submissions
addressing novel applications are particularly encouraged.


FORMAT
------

The workshop will take place on Thursday, July 13th, the day of the
UAI tutorials.  The workshop will begin with each participant giving
a short introduction to themselves and their work.  These brief
introductions will be followed by sessions devoted to cognitive
issues in developing and using Bayesian models, consisting of
presentations and open discussions.  We will conclude with a plenary
panel discussion which will sum up the days activities and talk about
possible plans for next year.


ARRANGEMENTS
------------

The workshop will run on the premises of the general UAI conference.
A registration fee for the workshop will be required in addition to
the main conference registration.


TO CONTRIBUTE
-------------

Persons desiring to contribute should prepare a contribution (3 - 8
pages, preferrably in the same format as for the overall conference)
and a short statement of interest, explaining their background, the
applications in which they have contributed and the characteristics
of the domain in which they work.  The contribution should raise
questions and offer results, which the participant can speak about.
All participants will be expected to have material to present for
the workshop.  Participants are encouraged to apply jointly with
members of other disciplines with whom they have collaborated.  Make
all submissions and enquires to uai-workshop AT cs.uu.nl.

Participation will be limited to 30 individuals.  All members of the
workshop committee who would like to attend are expected to qualify as
participants.  Selection will be done by the committee's decision of
the mix of individuals who are likely to generate the most constructive
presentations and discussions.


WORKSHOP COMMITTEE
------------------

Linda van der Gaag, Utrecht University, Chair
Russell Almond, Educational Testing Service, Co-Chair

John Mark Agosta, Intel Corporation, Chair Emeritus
Marek Druzdzel, University of Pittsburgh 
Judy Goldsmith, University of Kentucky
Oscar Kipersztok, The Boeing Company
Kathryn Blackmond Laskey, George Mason University
Hermi Schijf, Utrecht University


IMPORTANT DATES
---------------

Submission of contributions:                      April 21st, 2006
Notification of selections by the organising
committee:                                        May 12th,   2006
Deadline for contributions to the proceedings:    June 23rd,  2006
Date of the workshop:                             July 13th,  2006


