Best Paper Award Selection Process for KICSS 2025
Embedded Files
Why we should rethink about selection process of “Best Paper”?
As part of the traditional approach, the Best Paper is selected through Program Chairs’ deliberation based on reviewers’ evaluations and scores. While valuable, this method has inherent limitations and potential biases. Critics note that it can favor well-known researchers and reflect the preferences of a small group—often just two or three reviewers—rather than the broader community or conference attendees. Furthermore, with the rapid spread of Large Language Models (LLMs) in academic writing and peer review, conferences face increasing challenges in assessing the true value and authorship integrity of submissions.
Our response.
To address these concerns, KICSS 2025 introduces a participatory selection model that combines expert judgment with community input. The goal is to recognize outstanding work in a way that is rigorous, transparent, fair, and inclusive, while also establishing a more democratic framework for future Best Paper Award selections.
How we will select the Best Paper Award
First of all we will nominate three candidates using three different routes below:
Conference PC Candidate (traditional): Selected before the conference by the KICSS 2025 Program Chairs, based on reviewers’ evaluations and scores.
Session-Vote Candidate: At the end of each technical session, 15 minutes will be allocated for a “Best Paper Discussion & Voting” segment, where attendees of each session will discuss the papers presented in their session using D-Agree system and then use SurveyMonkey to vote for the best paper within that session.
The paper with the highest total vote share across all sessions becomes the second candidate.
Conference-Vote Candidate: During the closing ceremony (Dec 5), all conference attendees vote via SurveyMonkey. The paper with the highest vote share becomes the third candidate.
Final selection:
At the closing ceremony (Dec 5 time 11:00- 11:15), the above three candidates go head-to-head in a final attendee vote (via SurveyMonkey). The paper receiving the most votes is announced and awarded Best Paper.
Participation FAQ
Participation FAQ
Q1: Who can participate in Best Paper award selection ?
All registered KICSS 2025 participants.
Q1a: How many awards will be selected through this participatory method?
Only one — the Best Paper Award.
Q2: Do we have internet access at conference venue?
Yes. The venue has internet access.
Q3: Want is D-Agree?
It is an Agent-based online discussion support platform. If you are interested, please check out the video demo here.
Q4: How can i signup on D-Agree?
You can signup using your email addresses.
Create a D-Agree login ID with your email. First, authenticate your email address, which is your login ID.
An authentication code will be sent to the address you entered. Enter the 6-digit authentication code sent to you on the next screen.
Q5: How can I log in on D-Agree to my Session?
Remember your username/ID and password and check out here:
Then enter discussion space (kicss2025) and then click on your attended session and make comments. Please note that each session is identified by its ID, such as Session 1, Session 2, Session 3, and so on up to Session 7. If you are attending Session 1, simply click on the link labeled Session 1.
Q6: Could you please explain the participation (discussion & voting) process.
A participant should listen to each presentation, ask a question if he/she had any, and then engage in a discussion based on the presenter's answer or others' feedback posted on D-Agree during “Best Paper Discussion & Voting” segment.
During each session, a 15-minute segment is reserved for “Best Paper Discussion & Voting.” In this segment, attendees of that session discuss the papers presented using D-Agree, focusing on originality, methodological rigor, clarity, and impact. And then cast his/her vote using SurveyMonkey
Q7: How to take a stance/decision and vote for best paper award?
After the discussion, attendees should use the provided SurveyMonkey within their session link to vote for the best paper within that session. Only participants of the respective session may take part in the discussion and voting. If you are an author or co-author of a paper in that session, please refrain from voting your own paper or to any other affliated with you avoid conflicts of interest.
Q8: How many times can I vote?
In the optimal process, you are encouraged to participate in both the session voting and the overall conference voting to help nominate two candidates. Finally, take part in the final voting to select one winner from the three nominated candidates: the PC candidate, the session-vote candidate, and the conference-vote candidate.
Please note that you may vote in as many sessions (only) as you attend, but only one paper per session may be selected. Voting is limited to participants of each respective session. If you are an author or co-author of a paper in that session, please refrain from voting your own paper or to any other affiliated with you avoid conflicts of interest.
Q9: When will the Best paper award winner be announced?
The winner will be announced during closing session on Dec 5, 2025 at 11:20 am.
Screenshot of the D-Agree User Interface (Session 1)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse