Systems Research in Europe

Willy Zwaenepoel

EPFL

Why are our papers not getting in?

• Quality sometimes lacks

• Topics often different

Quality

• Idea is often good, execution is weak– Awkward English– Piece of software rather than scientific paper– Weak experimental section

What can we do about it?

• Work harder– Less vacations, shorter coffee breaks, …

• Work better– Graduate program

Topic

• Miss out on the emergence of “hot topics”

• Temperature of the topic is determining

• Papers look off-topic or me-too

Another conference?

• A systems conference held in Europe?

Good idea!

• A European systems conference?

Bad idea!

• Should find a better rallying theme

Conference theme

• Broader set of subjects– Avoid “hot topic” trap

• More reflective papers– Second experiment, experience papers

• More practical papers– (Better) Usenix papers