The next history of computing workshop organised by IFIP Working Group 9.7 (WG 9.7) will be held from 8-9 September 2024 in Phuket, Thailand. With our broad theme of “Histories of Computing in Asia”, we welcome historical accounts, first-hand narratives and papers about relevant museum or archival holdings.

As can be seen from our full CFP, we are interested in broadening professional knowledge of the history of computing with an understanding of developments in Asian countries. Asia offers many exemplary stories about the importance of international connectedness in computing. Many computing professionals hail from this region, to be sure, but also some early developments like Korea’s Cyworld presaged global phenomena. As always, adapting computing to local conditions resulted in important innovations and local industries provide important caveats to global histories. 

Our typical practice is to publish post-workshop proceedings. We will review conference papers (2,500 to 5,000 words) from 1 February to 1 April 2024. Acceptances along with reviewer comments will be announced on 1 May 2024. We will circulate draft papers in advance of the workshop with the aim of fostering a lively discussion at the workshop, which will be held at Dusit Thani Laguna, Phuket, Thailand. Authors can then revise their papers based on comments at the workshop for the proceedings volume, which will be published by Springer.

WG 9.7 is interested in three focus areas with respect to the computing history: pedagogy, transnational/regional histories, and public outreach (including museums and archives). We are an inclusive group open to papers from computing professionals, academic historians, other experts from the humanities or social scientists, and museum or archival personnel. Please direct your inquires to the workshop chair, Christopher Leslie (chrisleslienyc@hotmail.com).

This event will build on WG 9.7’s successful workshops that highlighted the international history of computing, resulting in Springer volumes on Nordic countries, Soviet and Russian computing, and eastern Europe. Even though the workshop language is English, many of our participants do not speak English as a first language; we are committed to international exchange, so we encourage all researchers to participate regardless of language ability. More information about our workshops is available here.

The Histories of Computing in Asia workshop will be held concurrently with TC9’s 16th Human Choice and Computers conference, which will focus on artificial intelligence. Authors may participate in either or both of these events.

Christopher Leslie, Chair, WG 9.7