We’re rather pleased to announce that the Call for Proposals for linux.conf.au 2017 is now open!

linux.conf.au is one of the best-known community-driven Free and Open Source Software conferences in the world. In 2017, we’re welcoming you to Hobart, Tasmania, on Monday 16 through to Friday 20 January.

Submit a proposal!

Important Dates

• Call for Proposals Opens: 4 July 2016
• CFP Closes: 5 August 2016
• Notifications from the programme committee: Mid-September 2016
• Conference Opens: 16 January 2017

Who we want to hear from

linux.conf.au is a conference where people gather to learn about the entire world of Free and Open Source Software, directly from the people who shape the projects and topics that they’re presenting on.

If you’re working with Free and Open Source Software, Open Hardware, if you’re exploring openness in a field outside of technology, or if you’re doing something that you think will be interesting to people interested in Open Source, we want to hear from you!

linux.conf.au welcomes first-time and seasoned speakers from all free and open technology communities – people of all ages, genders, nationalities, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, abilities, and walks of life. We respect and encourage diversity at our conference.

What we want to hear about

The theme for linux.conf.au 2017 is The Future of Open Source. So, while we’re interested in hearing anything new and exciting about Free and Open Source Software – especially stories about the projects you’ve worked on – we’re inviting you to think especially about how the world of Open Source will look in the future.

Here are some suggestions to get you started with your proposal ideas:

The future of your project

linux.conf.au is well-known for deeply technical talks, and lca2017 will be no exception. Our attendees want to be the first to know about new and upcoming developments in the tools they already use every day, and they want to know about new open source technology that they’ll be using daily in two years time.

Openness for everyone

Many of the techniques that have made Open Source so successful in the software and hardware world are now being applied to fields as disparate as science, data, government, and the law. We want to know how Open Thinking will help to shape your field in the future, and more importantly, we want to know how the rest of the world can help shape the future of Open Source.

Threats from the future

It’s easy to think that Open Source has won, but for every success we achieve, a new challenge pops up. Are we missing opportunities in desktop and mobile computing? Why is the world suddenly running away from open and federated communications? Why don’t the new generation of developers care about licensing? Let’s talk about how Software Freedom and Open Source can better meet the needs of our users and developers for years to come.

Whatever You Want!

It’s hard for us to predict the future, but we know that you should be a part of it. If you think you have something to say about Free and Open Source Software, then we want to hear from you, even if it doesn’t fit any of the categories above.

What you need to know

Proposal Types

We’re accepting submissions for three different types of proposal:

• Presentation (45 minutes): These are generally presented in lecture format and form the bulk of the available conference slots.
• Tutorial (100 minutes): These are generally presented in a classroom format. They should be interactive or hands-on in nature. Tutorials are expected to have a specific learning outcome for attendees.
• Miniconf (full-day): Single-track mini-conferences that run for the duration of a day on either Monday or Tuesday. We provide the room, and you provide the speakers. Together, you can explore a field in Free and Open Source software in depth.

Speaker Recognition

In recognition of the value that speakers bring to our conference, once a proposal is accepted, one speaker per proposal is entitled to:

• Free registration, which holds all of the benefits of a Professional Delegate Ticket
• A complimentary ticket to the Speakers' Dinner for the speaker, with additional tickets for significant others and children of the speaker available for purchase.
• Optionally, recognition as a Fairy Penguin Sponsor, available at 50% off the advertised price

If your proposal includes more than one speaker, these additional speakers will be entitled to:

• Professional or hobbyist registration at the Early Bird rate, regardless of whether the Early Bird rate is generally available
  
• Speakers’ dinner tickets available for purchase at cost
  

As a volunteer-run non-profit conference, linux.conf.au does not pay speakers to present at the conference.

Financial Assistance

linux.conf.au is able to provide limited financial assistance for some speakers, for instance where the cost of flights or accommodation might prohibit a speaker from attending. You can indicate your need for financial assistance when making your proposal.

If there are other financial barriers – including those that affect accessibility – to your participation in linux.conf.au, you can indicate this when making your proposal as well.

We will try to accommodate as many requests for assistance as possible within our limited budget.

Accessibility

linux.conf.au aims to be accommodating to everyone who wants to attend or present at the conference. We recognise that some people face accessibility challenges. If you have special accessibility requirements, you can provide that information when submitting your proposal so that we can plan to properly accommodate you.

Code of Conduct

By agreeing to present at or attend the conference, you are agreeing to abide by the terms and conditions. We expect all speakers and delegates to have read, understood, and act according to the standards set forth in our Code of Conduct.

Recording and Licensing

To increase the number of people that can view your presentation, linux.conf.au might record your talk and make it publicly available after the event. We plan to release recordings of every talk at the conference under a Creative Commons Share-Alike Licence. When submitting your proposal you may note that you do not wish to have your talk released.

Additionally, if the subject of your presentation is a software project, you must ensure the software has an Open Source Initiative-approved licence at the time of the close of our CFP.

How you can take part

Create an account on our site, and fill out the forms. Easy!