Call for Contributions and Participation
The 2026 Thompson Okanagan Systems Council Chapter Symposium (TOK-SCCS), to be held on August 28, 2026, in Kelowna, BC, Canada, is a regional symposium focused on systems engineering and interdisciplinary applications.
TOK-SCCS serves as a forum for disseminating research, ideas, and practical experiences related to system-level thinking, engineering systems, and emerging technologies. The symposium aims to bring together students, researchers, industry professionals, and educators interested in advancing systems engineering and its applications across domains.
To foster collaboration and exchange of ideas, the organizers welcome submissions and participation in the following (non-exhaustive) areas:
- Systems Engineering and Systems-of-Systems
- Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing
- Modeling & Simulation
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
- Systems Integration & Verification
- Autonomous and Intelligent Systems
- Socio-technical Systems
- Engineering Applications in Emerging Domains
Why Participate?
If you are working on innovative systems-related research, developing new tools or methodologies, or exploring interdisciplinary applications, TOK-SCCS provides an opportunity to present your work in a professional yet accessible conference setting. Participants are encouraged to share both successful implementations and lessons learned from challenges, contributing to a richer and more practical exchange of knowledge.
Submission Types
Long Papers
Long papers should present original, completed research contributions in systems engineering or related fields. Submissions will undergo a double-anonymous peer review process, and accepted papers will be included in the conference proceedings, with the intention of submission to IEEE Xplore.
Authors of accepted long papers will have the opportunity to revise their work based on reviewer feedback and present their research during a full conference session.
Short Papers
Short papers provide an opportunity to present work-in-progress, preliminary results, or emerging ideas. These submissions are ideal for fostering discussion and receiving early feedback from the community.
Accepted short papers will be presented in shorter conference sessions.
Blizzard Talks
Blizzard Talks are short, fast-paced presentations (approximately 5 minutes) designed to highlight emerging ideas, ongoing work, or thought-provoking concepts.
This format is ideal for:
- Work in progress
- Early-stage research ideas
- New tools or systems concepts
- Experimental approaches
- Potential collaborations
A brief abstract (approximately 200 words) is required for submission. Blizzard abstracts will be shared with attendees but may not be included in the formal proceedings.
Nifty Assignments
Nifty Assignments showcase innovative and engaging approaches to teaching systems engineering and related topics.
Submissions may include:
- Unique assignments or projects
- Hands-on learning activities
- Novel assessment methods
- Tools or frameworks used in education
Accepted assignments will be presented during a dedicated session, and materials may be shared with the community to support future teaching and learning.
Special Sessions
Special Sessions provide an opportunity to organize interactive and thematic sessions that go beyond traditional paper presentations.
Formats may include:
- Panels
- Workshops
- Tutorials
- Roundtable discussions
- Demonstrations
Proposals should describe the topic, structure, expected engagement, and any logistical requirements. Sessions are typically scheduled within standard conference time slots.
Submission and Participation Guidelines
All paper submissions will be reviewed based on technical merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the symposium themes. Accepted contributions must be presented at the symposium, and at least one author must register and attend for inclusion in the proceedings.