Dear DHN members and other interested in DH in the Nordic countries

With the DHN conference for 2017 approaching in March, the Board would like to invite DHN members and other interested in DH to submit proposals for hosting the 2018 conference. The first DHN conference in Oslo was a great success and the forthcoming one in Gothenburg promises to be just as stimulating and enjoyable. We hope to announce the decision about who will hold the 2018 conference at the next AGM in March, which follows the close of the conference proceedings in Gothenburg. It is anticipated that the 3^rd annual DHN conference will be held around the same dates in 2018 as the previous conferences (i.e. mid-March).  The conference should be organised in one of the Nordic countries including the three Baltic countries.

The criteria for proposing a location/institution to host the conference are

1. A suitable and accessible location, including a venue with lecture hall big enough to seat all conference participants for keynote talks and AGM, as well as meeting spaces and smaller rooms for individual sessions and workshops. As a rough guide: approximately 200 members took part in the 2016 conference in Oslo, where there were 5 parallel sessions at any one time. High-speed internet access, AV equipment, adequate catering facilities and a variety of options for delegate accommodation etc. are other important requirements.
2. Possible sources of funding to cover the costs of organisation: Costs will typically be hiring of conference venue, salary for part-time conference organiser, costs for hiring participation administration. In the Oslo conference in 2016, the venue was the University Library building which could be used without extra costs for the DHN and therefore an implicit cost covered “in kind “ by the University of Oslo. The personnel costs where approximately NOK 110 000 (in kind + 14 student assistants working during the conference) and NOK 62,000 for the administration of the registrations. In Gothenburg 2017 the cost for conference venue, including lunch, coffee and registration was SEK 143 000.
3. Sufficient manpower to form an organising committee and run the conference. A minimum of 4 person months is recommended here, on the basis of previous conferences. The organising team for the Oslo conference comprised around 20 persons, 6 from the local organizing committee and 14 student helpers during the conference.

The resources described above will be typical for any conference.

DHN have no central funds available to cover the costs of organising the conference. The DHN Board will be on hand to advise as necessary on matters related to the organisation of the conference. The conference theme and programme will be decided by the Programme Committee which will be appointed by the Board in collaboration with the local organisers.

Proposals should include a rough budget and potential sources of funding, a description of the venue, and notes regarding the manpower available. Enquiries, should be sent to c.e.s.ore@iln.uio.no.

With best wishes, the DHN Board

Christian-Emil Ore

Chair