The scope of the ePart 2010 covers the whole range of research in eParticipation. Its principal aim is to review research advances in both social and technological scientific domains, seeking to demonstrate new concepts, methods and styles of eParticipation.

ePart is dedicated to innovative and rigorous eParticipation research. It aims to bring together researchers from a wide range of academic disciplines. ePart provides the scientific community with a platform for discussing and advancing research findings, for networking among researchers, and for providing an environment for young researchers to enter into a community which deals with a highly complex and multi-faceted discipline of research.

The second ePart conference focuses on, but is not limited to, the following topics around eParticipation:

• The Research landscape, directions and foundations
• Research methods, method integration and techniques
• Comparative analyses of eParticipation practices
• Quality and impact of eParticipation projects
• Inclusive eParticipation
• Understanding online conversation and supporting deliberation
• Representatives and eParticipation
• Social networking and eParticipation
• Cultural and normative differences in eParticipation
• Education, training courses, and curricula
• Governance and eParticipation toolbox
• Policy modelling, simulation and visualisation
• eConsulation, ePoling, eLegislation, eVoting.

The conference allows for four distinct types of submissions (see also submission guidelines):

• Completed research papers
• Ongoing research and innovative projects
• Workshops and panels on pertinent issues
• PhD colloquium submission.

The programme also includes a PhD student colloquium providing doctoral students with an international forum for presenting their work, networking opportunities and cross-disciplinary inspiration.

ePart is closely aligned with the IFIP e-government conference and the EGOV community. The organizers consider both conferences as sister conferences and have committed themselves to co-locating the two events in the years to come. Rationale for this co-location is that many experts belong to both fields of research (especially in computer science and information systems fields).

All accepted completed research papers will be published by Springer Verlag. Outstanding research papers from the conference might be selected for further development and publication in a special issue of the eParticipation Journal. Ongoing research and innovation projects papers will be published by Trauner Druck.

It should be reminded that especially for eParticipation projects, there are two submission options:

eParticipation research papers
The Research section invites integrated empirical/theoretical as well as conceptual work from eParticipation projects. These papers should have a strong focus on scientific rigour and may be max 12 pages.
Papers in this section will be double blind reviewed by 3 reviewers for rigour, relevance, originality and clarity of presentation. Accepted papers will be published by Springer.

eParticipation projects
The Ongoing research, projects, and general development issues invites eParticipation projects and case descriptions of ongoing or completed projects. Emphasis must be given on project description, key challenges, lessons learnt, success factors etc. and may be max 8 pages.
Papers in this section will also be double blind reviewed, but focus is more on relevance than scientific rigour. Accepted papers will be published by Trauner Druck.