Rump Session
Feedback Needed
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In 1984, a group of researchers set out to create a workshop on sensors, actuators, and transducers. They sought a casual environment where significant interpersonal exchange could take place. The Hilton Head (i.e., Solid-State Sensors, Actuators, and Microsystems) workshops were born. The Rump Session was inaugurated the same year - modeled from the after-hours discussions at Gordon Research Conferences.
These are intended to be engaging, open-microphone, unpublished, debate-style discussions. The first was entitled "Why haven't solid-state sensors taken over the world?" The dialogue was lively, even bitter at times, with competitive approaches to polysilicon micromachining being openly debated. There was a comfortably sized group, fewer than 100, such that microphones were barely needed and everyone could make eye contact (if they wished).
Subsequent rump sessions through the years included debates on polysilicon material types, "to integrate or not to integrate", and a session at Hilton Head 2000 where the topic was "who is making money in MEMS?" Historically, these Rump Sessions have been small, engaging, confrontational at times, and lively.
Our goal at Hilton Head 2010 is to get back to this spirit. We believe the size of the group and the lengthy panel-style presentations have slowed the pace and engagement of the audience, even though strong emcee performances over the years by Greg Kovacs and Jack Judy, and the addition of beer have brought more humor to the event.
Yet, to continue the intended engaging, debate-style spirit, we need your help. We need to define topics and a new innovative format that will engage the audience. Recently, only the Hilton Head 2006 debate on the workshop policies itself has built this community rapport. So, we are asking for you to submit your ideas on the Rump Session via the website portal. The Hilton Head Technical Program Committee will review your inputs and engage to develop a productive, community-building event for Wednesday night at the Workshop. Thanks in advance for your support, and we look forward to seeing you in June at Hilton Head!
Dave Monk
Technical Program Committee Chair
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