Carol Queiroz & Maria Lúcia Vilella
The XIX edition of the Brazilian Symposium on Human Factors in Computing Systems took place in October 2020, from 26 to 30, in Cyberspace (IHC 2020). The event attracted more than 200 online participants (Figure 1), including professionals (77), undergraduate (39) and graduate (84) students and basic education teachers (4). IHC 2020 was sponsored by NIC.BR, CGI.BR and ACM SIGCHI; and supported by SIGCHI and ACM in cooperation.
Figure 1: Participants from different Brazilian regions
Traditionally, the IHC has been held in large and medium cities. After more than 20 years of research by the Human-Computer Interaction community in Brazil, the initial idea was to hold the event for the first time in a small town (Diamantina – MG). However, with the unexpected pandemic caused by the COVID-19, the event chairs decided to change its format and to design a new experience of holding the event online. Diamantina will remains as the next venue for the IHC when the event returns to its physical mode.
The general organization was under the responsibility of professors Caroline Queiroz Santos and Maria Lúcia Bento Villela, both from the Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha and Mucuri (UFVJM). In the scientific organization, the responsible were the professors Isabela Gasparini (UDESC) and Tayana Conte (UFAM).
IHC in numbers:
* Full papers. Submitted: 106; Accepted: 37
* Innovative Ideas and Emerging Results. Submitted: 49 + 7 (indicated from the Full Papers track); Accepted: 23
* Workshop on Education in HCI (WEIHC). Submitted: 7; Accepted: 5
* Workshop on HCI Aspects for the Social Web (WAIHCWS). Submitted: 17; Accepted: 6.
Figure 2 presents the institutions to which participants are affiliated. Universities from all Brazilian regions were present in IHC, with emphasis on UFPR (south), UFC (north east), UFVJM (southeast) and UFAM (north).
Figure 2: Universities present at IHC 2020
The event took place mostly synchronously, with the presentation of papers and online lectures through the Zoom tool, and had some sessions transmitted via Youtube; Discord and Padlet were used to allow more interaction between the participants, as they introduces themselves, used a kids space and a Pet Parade.
IHC 2020 received two Keynote Speakers (Figure 3): Pejman Mirza-Babaei (Ontario Tech University) and Simone Barbosa (PUC Rio), whose keynotes were also broadcast on Youtube. After the keynote by Professor Simone Barbosa, she received the CEIHC Outstanding HCI Career Award for her brilliant and inspiring professional career in Brazil and abroad, significantly contributing to the growth of the Brazilian IHC community (Figure 4).
Figure 3: IHC 2020 Keynote Speaker
Figure 4: CEIHC awards Professor Simone Barbosa with the Outstanding HCI Career Award
For her participation in all editions of the IHC, Professor Milene Selbach Silveira (PUCRS) was honored with a Medal of Recognition (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Special Medal of Recognition to Professor Milene Silveira
The IHC 2020 was marked by the emotion of the community in being together in a year so difficult for humanity, due to the social distance and the losses of so many lives. The event is traditionally expected by researchers and those interested in the area, for the exchange of knowledge and experiences, in addition to social interaction, which is always remarkable. From the opening to the closing ceremony, there were many moments and spaces to experience, from distance, the interactions that would be in person. Due to the intense participation during the 5 days of the event, we can say that the IHC 2020 was a success. The Brazilian Computer Society (SBC), CEIHC and the community thanked the organizers. Some records of these moments can be seen in the photos below.
