Hot Topics in the Science of Security Symposium (HotSoS)

About Works in Progress Session 
 

HoTSoS features a unique session type, the Works in Progress (WIP). This session assists authors in writing high quality research papers by having a community discussion on the research early in the research process. This early feedback enables researchers to adjust on-going research to respond to concerns traditionally raised after the research and paper are completed and it is being peer-reviewed for conferences and journals. This early presentation promotes faster and easier publication.

Structure of the WIP Sessions 
 

WIP Papers are solicited as part of the HoTSoS CFP and are reviewed and selected by the HoTSoS Program Committee and Chairs.

Several weeks before HoTSoS, the papers are distributed to research leaders who agree to keep the content confidential. A discussant will be assigned to each paper. This person will lead the discussion during HoTSoS. The discussant is an expert in the field and shapes the discussion. Attendees at a WIP session also agree to confidentiality. They are also encouraged to read the paper before the session and to actively discuss the paper.

A WIP session at HoTSoS begins with a 10 - 15 minute presentation by the author to introduce the material. Then the discussant will ask questions and moderate a discussion to help improve the paper. Often 45 minutes are spent per paper.

After the session, the authors are provided any written feedback and if available, a non-distributed recording.

Criteria for Selection 
 

The program committee looks for papers that could be revised based on feedback before submission to conferences and journals. These papers would reflect the goals of a security science: novelness, reproducility, generalizability, clarity of writing, and how foundational the research is. Any foundational security work is considered.

Why Participate 
 

Authors are encouraged to participate in the WIP sessions because it is an opportunity to gain perspectives on the research from research leaders that are traditionally unavailable. These leaders include professors from the SoS Lablets, researchers and practitioners from the National Security Agency (they may be shy and off camera, but they are providing feedback) and experts as identified by the HoTSoS organizers.

WIP sessions feature an extended discussion time, usually around 45 minutes, that provides authors with information useful for their future research. Participants agree not to share the content of the research outside of the session. In addition, the HoTSoS organizers protect the future publication of the material by not publishing the paper or the including the paper title on the HoTSoS website. Papers are documented as participating in a HoTSoS WIP session after final publication.