AlpCHI is the inaugural Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) conference of the Alpine region. Designed as an annual or biennial event, AlpCHI aims to bring together researchers, industry professionals, and academics to exchange ideas and explore new developments in HCI.
A defining feature of AlpCHI is its commitment to inspiring locations. Each conference will take place within a 50 km radius of a mountain at least 2,026 metres (each year adding one meter) above sea level, offering participants the opportunity for a scenic hike before or after the event.
The first edition of AlpCHI 2026 will take place at the Congressi Stefano Franscini by ETH Zürich between Sunday, March 1st, 2026, to Thursday, March 5th, 2026, in lovely Switzerland.
AlpCHI is the inaugural Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) conference for the Alpine region.
AlpCHI will serve as a regional flagship event that celebrates HCI research and emphasises the importance of community-building and hands-on interaction. The conference will aim to bridge the gap left by the digital shift, offering a space where researchers can connect meaningfully.
The idea for AlpCHI was first discussed within the SIGCHI Switzerland chapter of the ACM, building on a long-standing idea by Denis Lalanne to establish such a conference. Whether as an independent event or by hosting established SIGCHI conferences such as MobileHCI, DIS, CHI or others, AlpCHI provides a regional forum that is accessible, community-driven, and fosters collaboration. The goal is to create a sustainable conference landscape while strengthening the local HCI community.
Call For Papers
Theme: Interaction in the Nature, in the Wild, at the Top
We are thrilled to invite you to the inaugural AlpCHI, the CHI conference dedicated to elevating Human-Computer Interaction in the spirit of the Alps. This year’s theme — Interaction in the Nature, in the Wild, at the Top — calls for contributions that embrace nature, wildness, remoteness, and the alpine spirit. AlpCHI seeks to shape the landscape of Alpine HCI: resilient, mindful, sustainable, and deeply connected to people and place. We welcome Short Papers (6 pages, ACM double-column format) accompanied by a demonstration or performance, because at AlpCHI, we believe ideas should be experienced, not just described. Researchers, designers, artists, and practitioners worldwide are warmly invited to contribute — you do not have to live in the Alpine region to participate!
Topics of Interest
We encourage submissions across a broad range of topics, including (but not limited to):
- Elevating HCI: New perspectives on interaction shaped by alpine challenges and inspirations
- The Landscape of Alpine HCI: Emerging trends, practices, and designs rooted in mountainous regions
- HCI in the Wild / HCI in Nature: Interactions beyond the lab — in forests, glaciers, lakes, peaks or cities
- HCI at the Top: Interaction design for remote, high-altitude, or extreme environments
- Mobility: Travel, accessibility, remote interaction, and interaction “on the go”
- Health and Wellbeing: Technologies supporting physical, mental, and social wellbeing in outdoor and alpine contexts
- Sports and Games: Interaction designs for outdoor activities, mountain sports, and playful experiences
- Evaluation: Methods and challenges of assessing technologies in wild, unpredictable, or remote settings
- Communication, Collaboration, and Social Interaction: How we connect, collaborate, and communicate in and across wild places
Whether you explore mindful technologies, sustainable innovations, or new social and local connections through technology, AlpCHI is the place to share your ideas and experiences.
Submission Details
Format: Short Paper (6 pages max., ACM double-column format)
Additional Requirement: A demonstration or performance (live or pre-recorded video) accompanying the paper
Submission Deadline: [Insert deadline]
Review Process: Double-blind peer review
Publication: Accepted papers will be published in the ACM Digital Library.
Note: We encourage experimental, interdisciplinary, artistic, and thought-provoking submissions.
Why AlpCHI?
AlpCHI aspires to cultivate a mindful, open, and resilient HCI community. By reconnecting research to nature, people, and local surroundings, we aim to imagine futures that are sustainable, humanistic, and grounded.
AlpCHI is not just about working on the top — it’s about rethinking HCI from the ground up.
Call for Revisiting HCI Research “Back to the Future”
The AlpCHI 2026 Conference invites submissions for a special track focused on revisiting and re-examining influential Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research published in 2014 or earlier. This track aims to highlight how past research has shaped the evolution of HCI, exploring its ongoing relevance in today’s technology landscape. Revisiting studies from the past offers an opportunity to reflect on their foundational contributions, assess their impact on current HCI practices, and consider how they have influenced or adapted to emerging trends in design, interaction, and human-centred technologies.
Topics of Interest
We welcome contributions across all HCI domains, including but not limited to:
- Ubiquitous computing and smart devices
- Interaction design principles (e.g., direct manipulation, affordances)
- Usability evaluation methods and user-centred design
- Social, ethical, and cultural implications of technology
- HCI for special populations (e.g., children, elderly, disabled users)
- Emerging technologies (e.g., VR/AR, wearables, IoT)
Submission Guidelines
Submit an extended abstract (up to 900 words) reflecting on how the original research is relevant today and how it may be extended with current advancements with the original manuscript. Papers will undergo a juried selection process.
Important Dates
Abstract Submission: TBA
Full Paper Submission: TBA
Notification of Acceptance: TBA
Conference Dates: 01 March – 05 March 2026
How to Submit
Submit your papers via the AlpCHI 2025 portal at [TBA].
Call for Demos
The Call for Demos will be published soon.