The ACM (Association of Computing Machinery) CHI conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems is the leading international conference on Human-Computer Interaction.
CHI 2026 will take place in Barcelona at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona.
The conference embraces the theme of Mediterranean Synergy, reflecting the vibrant convergence of cultures, ideas, and technological advancements. In an era marked by rapid digital transformation, societal challenges, and the pursuit of sustainable innovation, Mediterranean Synergy embodies the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and inclusivity. The CHI community, composed of researchers, designers, and practitioners from diverse disciplines, will come together to explore how human-computer interaction can address the pressing global challenges of today and shape the future of technology.
Barcelona, a city known for its rich history, architectural wonders, and dynamic technological ecosystem, provides the perfect backdrop for CHI 2026. The waves of the Mediterranean Sea, much like the flow of innovation within CHI, symbolize the continuous exchange of knowledge and ideas that propel the field forward.
CHI 2026’s General Chairs are Nuria Oliver and David A. Shamma and the CHI 2026 Technical Program Chairs are Heloisa Candello, Pablo Cesar, and Pedro Lopes. The entire committee is excited to bring the conference to the Iberian Peninsula for the first time, and we eagerly look forward to engagements with the broader Mediterranean region.
As the conference continues to grow, the CHI Steering Committee (with input from various future of CHI committees and a long-running symposium that has been held over the years) has put forth a new format for the conference. In summary, technical program submissions will fall into six categories:
- Papers
- Panels
- Meetups
- Posters
- Workshops
- Interactive Demos
The aim is to streamline the number of submission types and rename them to be more self-explanatory for a clearer conference program. The CHI Steering Committee has explained the changes and historical background for the restructuring in detail. Further guidance for authors and session organizers will be provided as we progress.
CHI thrives because of its volunteers. Chairs fill roles from papers to demos and from accessibility to family, making it a massive community-led operation. We invite you to join us! If you’ve never been to a CHI or can’t remember how many CHIs you have attended, we have a role for you. If you’re new to conference organization or a seasoned volunteer, we want to hear from you.
We have a call for volunteers form as we seek technical chairs (papers, panels, etc.) as well as organizational chairs (accessibility, diversity, web/design, etc.). The call is live now, is easy to fill out, and will be open for several weeks so please throw your name into the hat. The call will be open until December 10, 2025.
We look forward to hearing from you. We hope you volunteer! Stay tuned to our blog for more details.
Ens veiem a Barcelona!
