MobileHCI2011 in Stockholm – As close as you’ll ever get to the Nobel Prize

Today, the Nobel Prize banquet is held in the Stockholm City Hall, and after a dinner in the Blue Hall the guests will dance in the Golden Hall. We consider this as the warm-up party for the MobileHCI 2011 welcome reception, taking place in the Golden Hall, hosted by the City of Stockholm. It is called the Golden Hall because the walls are covered with more than 18 million glass and gold mosaic pieces. The value of the gold is estimated to 2,8 million Swedish crowns - not to be considered as a research funding opportunity. The entrance is through two giant copper doors, weighing a ton each. The Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset, in Swedish) is considered one of Sweden's foremost examples of national romanticism in architecture, and is one of Stockholm's major tourist attractions.

Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been honoring men and women from all corners of the globe for outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and for work in peace. The foundations for the prize were laid in 1895 when Alfred Nobel wrote his last will, leaving much of his wealth to the establishment of the Nobel Prize. Since 1930 the prize ceremony has taken place in the Stockholm City Hall, where guests have had the privilege to dance the night away in the Golden Hall.

In 2011 the Mobile Life Centre, SICS, and Stockholm University will organize the MobileHCI conference. During the conference, the community of researchers interested in mobile aspects of human-computer interaction will have a chance to meet during four days in late August to early September. Until then, this blog, as well as our Facebook page and Twitter account, will be with you. We will remind you of upcoming deadlines and keep you company when you’re struggling to reach them. We will also give you useful information about the city, travel information, and quick Swedish lessons. You can also look forward to a few inspiring blog posts from invited guests.

The organizing committee is in top gear ensuring the event will be an enjoyable experience for the participants. Being a mobile HCI researcher, the conference in 2011 will probably be as close as you’ll ever get to the Nobel Prize.

See you in Stockholm next year!

Mattias Rost and Alexandra Weilenmann
Social Buzz chairs