PERSUASIVE 2008, the Third International Conference on Persuasive Technology, will be held June 4-6 2008 in Oulu Finland (a good time of year to find yourself that far north). The submission deadline for this conference is January 1, so you still have time to get your paper in if you act quickly. The full CFP can be found after the jump.

I will be keynoting the conference, along with venerable colleagues B.J. Fogg (Stanford University) and Kristina Höök (Stockholm University).

PERSUASIVE 2008: The Third International Conference on Persuasive Technology
June 4-6, 2008 - Oulu, Finland
www.persuasive2008.org

Join us for the #1 gathering of experts in the land of midnight sun.

CALL FOR PAPERS
Persuasive Technology 2008 will gather together people interested in how software and related technologies influence people’s attitudes and behaviours. This conference will also feature the best new insights into how web sites, video games, and mobile phones and other applications can be designed to motivate and persuade people.

CONFERENCE AIMS
Until recently, most software applications have been developed without much thought to how they influence their users. This perspective is changing. Today persuasion matters more than ever. Now experts in industry and academics are embracing a purposeful approach to persuasive design. In an industry context, designing for persuasion is becoming essential for success. In academic settings, the study of persuasive technology illuminates the principles that influence and motivate people in different realms of life. This Persuasive 2008 Conference aims to place such work on a firm scientific footing with an emphasis on social and psychological issues as well as ethical awareness.

Persuasive technology is rapidly growing into a major discipline. The previous conferences held in Eindhoven and Stanford were infused with energetic spirit and a large attendance, with representatives from both academia and industry.

This year’s conference will highlight new knowledge in the understanding and designing persuasive technology. The event will bring together researchers, practitioners, industry professionals interested in this important new field.

RESEARCH THEMES
Research themes of the conference include:
- Motivational technology
- Persuasive games
- Smart environments
- Web2.0
- Mobile persuasion
- Well-being and health behaviour
- Theory of persuasive technology
- Ethics of persuasive technology
- Social and organizational issues
- Business models for persuasive systems
- Conceptual and theoretical approaches

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
Full paper: 12 pages in LNCS format
Short paper: 4 pages
Poster: 4 pages
Refer to www.persuasive2008.org for more detailed information on paper and poster submission guidelines.

KEY DATES
Paper submission: January 1, 2008
Author notification: February 8, 2008
Final version submission: March 8, 2008
Conference: June 4-6, 2008

DOCTORAL CONSORTIUM
A doctoral consortium will precede the conference (June 1-3, 2008). The application deadline is expected to be February 1, 2008.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Ian Bogost, Georgia Institute of Technology
B.J. Fogg, Stanford University
Kristina Höök, Stockholm University

LOCATION
Oulu is located in northern Finland, accessible from Helsinki by a convenient one-hour flight. Oulu’s northern location offers sunlight 24 hours a day in June. Conference participants will experience the “midnight sun” as one of many memorable events. Northern Finland has a range of cultural and outdoor experiences to offer during the midsummer season. Furthermore, the Arctic Circle is two-hours away by car or train. Oulu is home to a large Nokia R&D site and the headquarters for Polar Electro, the world’s leading heart-rate monitor manufacturer.

REGISTRATION
Registration details will be posted on the conference website at www.persuasive2008.org.

ORGANIZERS
This conference is jointly organized by the University of Oulu (Finland) and the University of Aalborg (Denmark). Both universities have a long tradition of studying the human and social side of ICT with a strong recent emphasis on persuasive technology.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, please visit the conference website at www.persuasive2008.org.