COLT 2009 Preliminary Call for Papers

Submission deadline: February 13, 2009 (5:59pm PST)

The 22nd Annual Conference on Learning Theory (COLT 2009) will take place on June 18-21, 2009, in Montreal, Canada, in coordination with the International Conference on Machine learning (ICML) and Uncertainty in Artificial Intelligence (UAI). We invite submissions of papers addressing the theoretical modeling and analysis of all aspects of machine learning and empirical inference. We strongly support a broad definition of learning theory, including:

• Analysis of learning algorithms and their generalization ability
• Computational complexity of learning
• Bayesian analysis
• Statistical mechanics of learning systems
• Optimization procedures for learning
• Kernel Methods
• Inductive inference
• Boolean function learning
• Unsupervised and semi-supervised learning and clustering
• On-line learning and relative loss bounds
• Learning in planning and control (including reinforcement learning)
• Mathematical analysis of learning in related fields (e.g. game theory, natural language processing, neuroscience, bioinformatics, privacy and security, machine vision, data mining, information retrieval, etc.)

We are also interested in papers that include viewpoints that are new to the COLT community. While the primary focus of the conference is theoretical, papers can be strengthened by the inclusion of relevant experimental results. We also welcome experimental and algorithmic papers provided they are relevant to the focus of the conference by elucidating theoretical results in learning.

Rebuttal Phase
Unlike previous years, we will have a rebuttal phase during the review process. Initial reviews will be sent to authors before final decisions have been made. Authors will have the opportunity to comment on the PC's initial evaluation. Final acceptance/rejection decision will be made two weeks later. More details will be provided in a fuller description of the finalized call for papers.

Papers must be submitted electronically. Papers that have previously appeared in journals or at other conferences, or that are being submitted to other conferences, are not appropriate for COLT. Papers that include work that has already been submitted for journal publication may be submitted to COLT, as long as the papers have not been accepted (conditionally or otherwise) for publication by February 13, 2009 and the paper is not expected to be published before the COLT conference (June 2009).

Paper format

Submissions should include the title, authors' names, postal and email addresses, and a 200-word summary of the paper suitable for the conference program. Submissions should not exceed 10 pages (including bibliography) in a two-column format; use the following style file and sample LaTex file. Papers should include a clear definition of the theoretical model used and a clear description of the results, as well as a discussion of their significance, including comparison to other work. Submit papers electronically in pdf of ps format, at the paper submission web site. While it is not expected that all full proofs can be included in the paper, authors should strive to at least present partial proofs which will enable the reviewers to understand the main ideas and methods used. The paper should also attempt to be as self-contained as possible.

Mark Fulk award

This award is for the best paper authored or coauthored by a student. Eligible authors who wish to be considered for this prize should indicate this on their submission's title page.

Open problems session

We also invite submission of open problems (see separate call). These should be constrained to two pages. There is a shorter reviewing period for the open problems. Accepted contributions will be allocated short presentation slots in a special open problems session and will be allowed two pages each in the proceedings.

Electronic submission instructions

Will become available in early December at the conference website.

Important dates

November 4, 2008	Preliminary call for papers issued
February 13, 2009	Electronic submission of papers (due by 5:59pm PST)
March 13, 2009	Electronic submission of open problems
April 10, 2009	Initial reviews released for rebuttal phase
May 1, 2009	Notice of acceptance or rejection
May 15, 2009	Final submission of all papers
June 18, 2009	Joint ICML/UAI/COLT workshop day
June 19-21, 2009	COLT conference