Homicide Research Working Group: An Interdisciplinary and International Organization

Meetings

The HRWG annual meeting is not your usual academic meeting. The group has developed a number of ways to discourage didactic lectures and encourage intensive group participation and problem solving on breaking issues. There are no simultaneous sessions. Participants do not present a paper and then leave, but are asked to attend for the entire meeting, where they sit facing each other around a circle or open square. A couple of weeks before the meeting, everyone receives a summary of each presentation; therefore, presenters can review only the main points in no more than half the allotted time, with the other half reserved for group discussion. Each session has a "moderator," whose job is to stimulate a lively discussion (or maintain general decorum when stimulation is unnecessary), and a "recorder," whose job is to record the discussion for publication in the Proceedings. To ensure that current findings and breaking issues find a place on the meeting's program, information can be presented in a variety of formats - formal presentations, works in progress, demonstrations, tutorials, and practitioner discussion groups. Sessions are of varying length, dependent on how long it takes to deal with the issue at hand. One result of these still-evolving "tribal customs" is that participant discussions build and develop over several days, with later discussions referring back to earlier presentations, and are often the most valuable part of the annual meeting.

2008 Annual Meeting

The 2008 HRWG annual meeting will be held June 11-14 2008. The theme for this year's conference is "Homicide: A Focus on the Offender". The conference is sponsored by the College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

To participate, presenters must be members of the Homicide Research Working Group, as well as registered for the workshop.

Meeting Schedule

Wednesday, June 11
6:30 - 9:00pm: Guest Speaker & Opening Reception
Thursday, June 12
8:30am - 5:00pm: Meeting & Tours, Evening: Chuckwagon Cookout
Friday, June 13
8:30am - 5:00pm: Meeting & Tours, Evening: Dinner at Margarita's
Saturday June 14
9:00am - 12:00pm: Meeting

Call for Papers and Posters

The Call for Papers (PDF 21K) provides paper abstract and poster submission guidelines. Submit abstracts electronically to the Program Chair, Kim Vogt at vogt.kimb@uwlax.edu Deadline for submission is Monday April 14, 2008.

Presenters should try to match the conference theme. We are interested in papers that focus on theoretical issues, data/measurement issues, and policy/applied issues related to homicide.

It is expected that presenters will attend and participate in the entire workshop, not just the panel in which they are delivering papers. Since the goal is to learn from one another, and not merely to present our findings, at least half of each session will be devoted to discussion, so papers are not simply presented; they are also discussed.

Workshop presenters will be expected to submit a five-page, electronic summary one month prior to the conference for distribution to workshop participants. In addition, some version of the paper will be expected for inclusion in the Proceedings of the workshop to be compiled after the June meeting.

The HRWG Poster Room is not your usual meeting poster session. It is up the whole three days of the meeting, and there is not only a lengthy session devoted solely to the Poster Room, but also ample time during breaks and lunch for you to talk one-on-one with people about your project.

If you are interested in organizing a session or have ideas for session topics focusing on homicide offenders for the upcoming conference, please see the Call for Session Organizers (PDF 16K) or contact Program Chair, Kim Vogt at vogt.kimb@uwlax.edu

Meeting Registration

All Annual Meeting attendees must: 1) be a 2008-2009 member of HRWG, and 2) register for the meeting. To register for the meeting, complete the registration form (PDF 20K) and send it to Candice Batton, HRWG Treasurer by Friday, May 9, 2008. Late fees will be assessed for registrations received after the deadline.

The registration fee for the meeting is $80(US) for regular members and $55(US) for student members. The registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack on both Thursday and Friday, as well as continental breakfast on Saturday. Also, HRWG will host a hospitality suite in the Bluebonnet Room of the University Hotel that will have snacks and assorted beverages on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.

Conference Hotel

Arrangements are for lodging at the University Hotel (1610 Bobby Marks Drive; 936-291-2151) with a conference rate of $55 per night (single/double). Mention you are with the Homicide Research Working Group. Reservations at the conference rate should be made by May 15. Thereafter, room reservations will be on a space availability basis. The University Hotel has a 48-hour cancellation policy.

Airport

We recommend flying to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), located 60 miles from Huntsville. (William P. Hobby Airport [HOU] is an alternative airport but is 78 miles from Huntsville).

Transportation from the Airport

The SHSU College of CJ student drivers will be available for shuttle service for those flying into IAH, to the meeting site in Huntsville, at intervals, on June 11 and June 14. All major car rental companies are also available for those who wish to have their own transportation.

Conference Site

The conference sessions are being held on the campus of Sam Houston State University at the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center, 816 17th Street, Huntsville, Texas 77340.

Past HRWG Meetings

If you have comments or suggestions, email the HRWG at:
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