The 8th International Workshop on

Boolean Functions and their Applications (BFA)

September 3-8, 2023, Fleischer’s Hotel, Voss, Norway

Organised by the Selmer Center

Important dates

Abstract submission

Travel and accommodation

Participants

Boolean functions and more generally all the discrete structures used in error-correcting coding, cryptography or communications, are highly active research areas. The workshop Boolean Functions and their Applications (BFA) provides a forum for researchers who are working on discrete functions and structures, particularly on Boolean functions, to exchange ideas and interests in open problems, and to further explore their applications in cryptography, error correcting codes and communications.

At the moment the event is planned to be hybrid, that is, both physical and online participation is possible. There is no registration fee for online participation, but all participants must register (for physical or online participation).

Important Dates

Submission deadline	April 15, 2023
Acceptance notification	June 15, 2023
Camera-ready submission	August 1, 2023
Registration deadline for physical participation	August 5, 2023
BFA 2023	September 03 – September 08, 2023

Abstract Submission

All participants who wish to contribute a talk of 15–20 minutes are invited to submit a 4-5 page extended abstract electronically in PDF format through EasyChair. The abstract should present original research results.

For those who cannot attend physically, it will also be possible to present at the workshop via zoom. We request previously unpublished results on all aspects of discrete structures, particularly on Boolean functions and their applications in cryptography, coding theory, combinatorics, quantum computing, etc. Topics include, but are not limited to:

foundational theory of Boolean functions and discrete structures;
the design, proposal, and analysis of cryptographically significant (vectorial) Boolean functions;
the theory and construction of quantum Boolean functions;
the theory of finite fields and its applications in cryptography and coding theory;
the study of applications of (vectorial) Boolean functions to cryptography, codes, and other discrete structures.

After the workshop, all participants will be invited to submit a paper to a special issue on Boolean Functions and their Applications in the journal Cryptography and Communications. More information about the call for papers will follow.

Travel and Accommodation

Participants outside of Norway have the choice between flying to Bergen or Oslo. Both cities are then connected to Voss via VY trains. Travelling by car is also possible, but not recommended.

Travel through Oslo Airports

Participants landing in Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) or TORP Sandefjord Airport (TRF) can use the trains and bus routes operated by VY to reach the Oslo Central Station, and connect with a train to Voss. More information on routes and timetables is available on the VY website. We recommend travelling through Oslo Gardermoen if possible because the Sandefjord Airport has some rather inconvenient connections. More information about it later.

Oslo Gardermoen (OSL)

Participants travelling through Oslo Gardermoen can use either the R10/R11 Regional Train or the L12 Local Train to reach the Oslo Central Station (Oslo S). The estimated travel time between the airport and central Oslo is 23 minutes, with departures at intervals of ten to twenty minutes, between the hours of 05:54 and 23:54.

TORP Sandefjord (TRF)

Participants travelling through the Sandefjord Airport must use the R11 Regional Train and shuttle bus (shown as bus S174 in the journey planner), reaching the Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Mind that the shuttle bus between the airport train station and the airport is not included in your train ticket, so remember to also buy the bus ticket.

NB! The shuttle bus service to/from the terminal does not meet all arriving and departing trains. It operates during the following hours:

Monday–Friday 04:40–21:20
Saturday 05:00–22:30
Sunday 07:00–22:00

If there is no shuttle bus service corresponding to your train times, remember to arrange transport between the station and the airport in another way. The road isn’t suitable for pedestrians as there is no pavement.

Travel from Oslo to Voss

The best way to travel to Voss from Oslo is by train, leaving from the Oslo Central Station (Oslo S). The Oslo-Voss route is run by VY, and it is possible to plan your trip and purchase a ticket through their website. Although it is recommended to use the VY website, it is also possible to buy a ticket at the station, in the ticket office or by vending machines. If you decide to purchase a ticket at the station, we recommend planning enough time before departure to do so.

Travel through Bergen Lufthavn

Participants travelling through Bergen Lufthavn can use the Bybanen to reach the city centre and the station. The Bybanen stop is right outside the airport, and you should travel from the airport to the station “Nonneseter”, which is right in front of the train station. The Bybanen travels every 5–15 minutes for most of the day, but you can also use the online route planner, or the dedicated app, to get more information.

The Bybanen offers both a route planner app and a ticket purchasing app, that can be downloaded here (Skyss Reise for planning, Skyss Billet for tickets). The ticket to the city centre is a “Zone A” ticket. Mind that tickets purchased through the App are immediately valid upon purchase, so you should only buy them once you are ready to leave the airport. Tickets can also be purchased at vending machines at the airport.

Travel from Bergen to Voss

The best way to travel to Voss from Bergen is by train. The Bergen-Voss route is run by VY, and it is possible to plan your trip and purchase a ticket through their website. Although it is recommended to use the VY website, it is also possible to buy a ticket at the station, in the ticket office or by vending machines. If you decide to purchase a ticket at the station, we recommend planning enough time before departure to do so.

More information on the best times for the conference and organised travel to follow.

VISA Information

If you are travelling from within the Schengen Area, then no particular rule or regulation applies.

If you are a citizen of a VISA-free country, then you only need to follow some simple rules. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration keeps a list of these rules, divided into rules for EU/EEA citizens, and non-EU/EEA citizens.

If you are not a citizen of a VISA-free country, then you need to apply for a VISA with the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration using their website.

Accommodation

More information to follow.

Confirmed Invited Speakers

Daniele Bartoli, University of Perugia, Italy
Lejla Batina, Radboud University, The Netherlands
Joan Daemen, Radboud University, The Netherlands
Enrico Piccione, University of Bergen, Norway
Aleksei Udovenko, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg