FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: What types of contributions is the conference seeking? 

A: We are seeking a wide variety of submissions, ranging from design theory and conceptual explorations to empirical laboratory experiments. This breadth reflects the richness and diversity of the biodesign field, and we welcome contributions that showcase its many perspectives and approaches. 

Q: What types of paper formats does the conference offer? 

A: You can submit your work in one of three formats: 

• Full Papers (6,000–8,000 words), suitable for in-depth research, theoretical contributions, or comprehensive studies. 

• Pictorials, which are visually oriented submissions that integrate images and text, with a maximum length of 12 pages. 

• Demo Submissions, which require only a short description (up to 500 words) of the prototype, demonstration, or samples you wish to bring and exhibit at the conference. 

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 For further details, please consult the Biodesign Conference website or reach out to us via: biodesignconference@gmail.com  

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The paper templates will be shared on the conference website by mid-December.  

Pictorials and full papers will use the same template. While full papers rely more heavily on text, pictorials place greater emphasis on visual content. Please see the examples below from the ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference: 

• The Tuning of Materials: A Designer’s Journey (DIS ’16) https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2901790.2901909  

• LIVING LIGHT INTERFACES —AN EXPLORATION OF BIOLUMINESCENCE AESTHETICS (DIS’21) https://dl.acm.org/doi/epdf/10.1145/3461778.3462038 

• and here for other examples https://dis.acm.org/2026/pictorials/ 

See above for the word and page limits for full papers and pictorials. 

Q: Is there going to be a preliminary step of abstract submission?  

A: There will be no pre-submission of abstracts. The deadline for all submissions is 23 February. 

Q: How can I submit my work? 

A: The submission site will open in mid-December and will be announced on social media and on the conference website. The deadline for all submissions is 23 February.  

Q: Will the full paper, pictorials, and long abstracts for demos be published? Where and when? 
A: Yes! All submissions will undergo peer review, and accepted submissions will be published as Gold Open Access articles in the Cambridge University Press journal Biotechnology Design. Accepted submissions will be published under the “Special Issue of Biodesign Conference 2026” on the journal website. They will be available online in August 2026. 

Q: Is the review process double-blind? 
A:No, for this conference, submissions will be evaluated using a single-blind peer review process, adhering to the Biotechnology Design Journal’s review process. This means that reviewers will be aware of the authors’ identities, while authors will not know the identities of the reviewers.

Single-blind review is a common and well-established practice in many leading scientific journals and conferences. It allows reviewers to assess submissions with appropriate contextual awareness, including prior work by the authors, methodological continuity, and domain-specific expertise. This can be particularly valuable in specialized or interdisciplinary fields, where full anonymity is difficult to guarantee. The process supports efficient, rigorous, and constructive evaluation while maintaining reviewer independence and confidentiality. Our goal is to ensure a fair, high-quality review process that upholds academic standards and provides meaningful feedback to authors.

Q: How much is the registration fee?  Will discounted fees be available for students? 

A: Full participation for the two-day conference is priced at 400 EUR for students (including PhD candidates) and 650 EUR for non-students. The conference offers an optional third day featuring workshops and excursions, available for an additional fee of 150 EUR. 

Q: I have an accepted submission. Is conference registration required for my article to be published on the journal website? 

A: At least one author of each accepted submission must register for the conference for the article to be included on the journal’s website. Please note: If none of the authors complete their conference registration, the submission will unfortunately be declined. 

Q: Will there be presentations for pictorials and demos, in addition to full papers? 

A: Once full papers and pictorials are accepted, their registered authors will be invited to present at the conference. Demos will have a dedicated opening ceremony, during which demo contributors are expected to be present at their exhibition booths to answer visitors’ questions. Demo authors will not give a formal presentation at the conference. Presentation and demo formats, and details will be shared on the website at a later date. 

Q: Does the conference provide funding for demos? 

A: Unfortunately, we are unable to provide funding for the creation or transportation of demos. 

Q: Do I need to have an accepted paper to attend the conference? 

A: No. You are very welcome to register and attend the conference even if you do not have a submission. 

Q: When and how can I register for the conference? 

A: Registration will open on 1 May through the conference website. 

Q: Is online participation/presentation at the conference possible? 

A: As this is the inaugural edition of the conference, it will be held in person. 

Q: Are there paper tracks? What about my paper does not fit any track? 

A: We don’t have any predefined tracks at the moment. We welcome a broad range of topics, including (but not limited to): Methodological Approaches in Biodesign, More-than-Human Sensibilities in Biodesign, Social Dimensions of Biodesign, Biodesign and Computation, Regenerative Ecologies and Multi-Species Interactions, Scaling Up Biodesign, Biodesign Education, and Biodesign and Living Materials. The thematic parallel sessions will be determined based on the topics of the contributions we receive.