Has W3C changed its Process for Invited Experts in the W3C HTML Working Group?
No. Per the W3C Process, the Chair(s) and Staff Contact for a group may invite “an individual with a particular expertise to participate in a Working Group.” For any W3C Working Group, the Staff Contact reviews each Invited Expert application. The criteria applied for the HTML Working Group differ somewhat than those applied for other W3C Working Groups. Specific technical expertise, though appreciated, is not an absolute requirement. The Staff Contact looks closely at the applicant’s employment and business relationships. In particular, if an individual works for a Member organization, that individual will not be granted Invited Expert status. Instead, that individual should encourage their employer, a W3C Member, to join the HTML Working Group. See the policy for approval of Invited Experts for more information about criteria used by the W3C Staff when evaluating an Invited Expert application. W3C HTML Working Group charter thus encourages wide participation. Although levels of techn
