Willem Visser
Stellenbosch University and AWS
Overview
About CIAA 2027
The International Conference on Implementation and Application of Automata (CIAA) is an annual international conference dedicated to research on automata and related structures, with an emphasis on their implementation, application, and theoretical foundations.
CIAA brings together researchers and practitioners working across areas such as formal languages, algorithms, verification, compilers, text processing, natural language processing, pattern matching, software tools, and other applications of automata theory.
CIAA 2027 will be hosted by Computer Science, Stellenbosch University in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Details on submissions, registration, accommodation, the programme, and accepted papers can be found below.
Timeline
Important Dates
Submission deadline
7 May 2027
Author notification
TBA
Camera-ready deadline
TBA
Registration opens
TBA
Speakers
Invited Speakers
Margus Veanes
Microsoft Research
Wim Martens
RelationalAI and University of Bayreuth
Dmitry Chistikov
University of Warwick
Submissions
Call for Papers
CIAA 2027 welcomes submissions on the theory, implementation, and application of automata and related structures. Please see the submission information and guidelines below.
Submissions not yet open. The Microsoft CMT submission portal will be linked here once it is available.
Sheng Yu Award
The prestigious Sheng Yu Award will be presented to the author(s) of the paper judged to be the best based on referee reports, recognizing excellence in automata research.
Springer LNCS
Conference proceedings will be published by Springer-Verlag in the renowned Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series.
Selected extended versions of papers will be invited to a journal special issue. Details will be announced in due course.
Submission Guidelines
Page Limit
Submissions must not exceed 12 pages in Springer-Verlag's Lecture Notes style, excluding the bibliography.
Appendix
Authors may include a clearly marked appendix with additional details essential to substantiate main claims. The appendix will be read at the discretion of the program committee.
Submission Policy
Simultaneous submissions to other conferences with published proceedings or previously published papers are not allowed.
Format
Only electronic submissions in PDF format are accepted through the Microsoft CMT system.
Topics of Interest
Topics include, but are not limited to, the following areas.
- Algorithms on automata
- Automata and logic
- Bioinformatics
- Complexity of automata operations
- Compilers
- Computer-aided verification
- Concurrency
- Data structure design for automata
- Data and image compression
- Design and architecture of automata software
- Digital libraries
- DNA/molecular/membrane computing
- Document engineering
- Editors, environments
- Experimental studies and practical experiences
- Industrial applications
- Natural language processing
- Networking
- New algorithms for manipulating automata
- Object-oriented modeling
- Pattern-matching
- Quantum computing
- Speech and speaker recognition
- Structured and semi-structured documents
- Symbolic manipulation environments for automata
- Teaching
- Text processing
- Techniques for graphical display of automata
- VLSI
- Viruses, related phenomena
- World-wide web
Venue & Travel
Stellenbosch, South Africa
A Breathtaking Setting
Nestled in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch pairs a rich academic heritage with some of South Africa's most spectacular scenery. Rolling vineyards stretch out toward the dramatic peaks of the Jonkershoek Mountains, while oak-lined avenues wind through a town centre of whitewashed Cape Dutch architecture, cobbled lanes, and centuries-old streets. Between sessions, delegates can wander past charming cafés, acclaimed restaurants, and boutique wine estates just minutes from the conference venue.
Compact and easily walkable, the town lets attendees move effortlessly between accommodation, dining, and the venue itself, all while staying just a short, scenic drive from Cape Town International Airport.
- Airport access
- 45 minutes from CPT
- Setting
- Cape Winelands
- Atmosphere
- Walkable university town
- Venue
- STIAS
Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study
CIAA 2027 will be hosted at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, a tranquil, purpose-built venue set among gardens and mountain views, just a gentle stroll from the historic town centre's cafés, restaurants, and accommodation.
Map
STIAS (Wallenberg Research Centre) is located just south-east of Stellenbosch's walkable town centre, within easy reach of hotels, restaurants, and transport links.
Accommodation
The following hotels and guesthouses are within walking distance or a short drive of STIAS, and span a range of price points. Negotiated conference rates will be listed here once confirmed.
Lanzerac Hotel & Spa
Historic wine estate hotel, ~10 min drive
Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel
Central, Cape Dutch heritage building
Oude Werf Hotel
One of South Africa's oldest hotels, walkable to STIAS
Eendracht Hotel
Central, walking distance to town and STIAS
De Hoek Manor
Quiet guesthouse in residential Stellenbosch
Stumble Inn Backpackers
Centrally located, budget-friendly
Visas & Invitation Letters
Visitors to South Africa may require a visa depending on their nationality. We encourage you to check the requirements with the South African embassy or consulate in your country well in advance of the conference.
Delegates who require an official invitation letter to support a visa application are welcome to contact the organising committee. Please email [email protected] with your full name, institutional affiliation, and country of residence, and an invitation letter will be provided.
Registration
Registration and Programme
Registration details and the conference programme will be published here once they are confirmed.
Registration
Registration fees, categories, and the author registration policy will be announced closer to the conference.
Information for delegates, accompanying guests, and payment options will be added in one place once available.
Programme
The programme will include invited talks, paper presentations, and social activities across 20 to 23 September 2027.
A detailed schedule, accepted papers, and session timings will be published after the review process is complete.
Committees
Conference Committees
Conference Chairs
Brink van der Merwe
Sebastian Maneth
Organising Committee
Brink van der Merwe
Sebastian Maneth
Martin Berglund
Lynette van Zijl
Willem Bester
Program Committee
Contact
Contact Us
For more information or any questions or inquiries regarding CIAA 2027, please contact us at the email address below.
Social Programme
Things to Do
Stellenbosch and the surrounding Cape Winelands offer exceptional opportunities for exploration. Below is a selection of suggested activities for delegates and their companions.
Franschhoek Wine Tram
Hop on and off the iconic tram through the Franschhoek Valley's award-winning wine estates — just a 30-minute drive from Stellenbosch.
Table Mountain Cableway
Ride the rotating cable car to the summit of one of the world's most iconic flat-topped mountains for sweeping views over Cape Town.
Cheetah Outreach
Meet cheetahs up close at this conservation and education facility, a short drive from central Stellenbosch.
Lanzerac Estate
Historic wine estate on the edge of Stellenbosch offering tastings, cellar tours, fine dining, and a luxury hotel — ideal for the conference dinner.
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
A spectacular mountain reserve bordering Stellenbosch with hiking trails, streams, and fynbos landscapes — minutes from the town centre.
Stellenbosch Walking Tours
Explore Stellenbosch's Cape Dutch architecture, oak-lined streets, and centuries of history on foot with a guided walking tour.
Stellenbosch University Museum
A diverse collection spanning art, natural history, and cultural heritage, housed on the beautiful Stellenbosch University campus.
Spier Wine Farm
One of the Cape's oldest wine estates, offering tastings, farm-to-table dining, arts and crafts, and gardens — just minutes from Stellenbosch.