Who chooses the papers to appear in the conference, and how?
A1: The program committee (which was selected by the program chair) chooses the papers. Each paper is assigned to at least three PC members who read it, write a report and give scores. (Some paper are assigned to more reviewers, for example papers that are authored by PC members.) Using the reports and scores as a starting point, the committee then deliberates (using online discussion boards and maybe also a face-to-face meeting), discussing the submissions at length and eventually choosing the ones that will appear at the conference. PC members often ask people outside the committee for reviews of some submissions (e.g., when an expert on the subject matter is not a member of the committee, or to reduce the reviewing load). These “subreviewers” submit their reports to the PC members who asked for their help, but they do not participate directly in the deliberations of the committee. PC members are committed to keeping the submissions confidential (except for the purpose of external re
