Call for Special Session Proposals

Download the Call for Special Session Proposals (https://ijcb2026.ieee-biometrics.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/780/2025/12/IJCB2026_CallforSpecialSessionsProposals.pdf).

The IJCB 2026 technical program will include a limited number of Special Sessions to enrich the regular program with new or emerging topics of particular interest to the Biometrics community. In particular, areas of research that are not yet consolidated are welcome, provided that the organizers can provide a thorough and scientifically convincing rationale for their interest.

We invite researchers to submit proposals for organizing a Special Session.

Proposal Submission Guidelines

Candidate organizers of Special Sessions should submit proposals with information including the following items:

• Special session title
• A clear description/list of the addressed topic and the topics that fall within its scope
• A description of the significance and novelty of the topic and the scientific motivation for the proposed session; the presence of possible interdisciplinary aspects is also welcome. The proposal should also include an overall answer to the question: why the topic of the special session should be considered in a separate combined session rather than the main track of the conference?
• Names, affiliations, and a short biography of the organizers, highlighting their expertise in the topic of the Special Session (including a relevant publication list is encouraged); expertise of all organizers in the proposed topics is of paramount importance and represents a core selection criterion
• A list of research groups currently active in that area and potential contributors
• List of up to six (6) potential contributed papers (including titles, authors, the contact information of the corresponding author, and a short abstract)

Upon acceptance of the special session proposal, the call for papers for the special sessions will be publicized via the IJCB 2026 website and mailing lists. The contributed papers will be submitted in the same format as regular papers. Organizers should not contribute more than one paper. Proposals will be evaluated based on the timeliness of the topic and the organizers’ qualifications. The papers in each accepted Special Session will undergo a review process similar to the process for regular papers.

Important Dates

• Special Session Proposals due: January 31, 2026
• Notification of acceptance of the Special Sessions: February 15, 2026
• Special session paper submission deadline: April 10, 2026
• Special session paper decision deadline: June 10, 2026
• Camera-ready paper submission: July 10, 2026

Proposals and inquiries should be sent via e-mail as a PDF attachment to the Special Sessions chairs: Maria de Marsico (maria.demarsico@uniroma1.it), Andreas Uhl (uhl@cs.sbg.ac.at), P.C. Yuen (pcyuen@comp.hkbu.edu.hk), and Clinton Fookes (c.fookes@qut.edu.au).