Call for Papers
WAVEZ Summer Surf 2025
4 Aug 2025, 12 Aug 2025, 20 Aug 2025, 28 Aug 2025
Online
The WAVEZ Summer Surf 2025 is a free, virtual event series that supports, uplifts, and connects mainframers in their first 0–7 years across all disciplines. This event is part of the wider WAVEZ mission to empower the next generation of IBM Z and mainframe talent.
Held one day per week throughout August 2025, each session runs for 45 minutes (including Q&A) and is delivered live over Zoom. The event is built around two technical levels — WAVEZ 101 (beginner) and WAVEZ 102 (intermediate) — ensuring content is pitched appropriately for those who are new to the platform or just beginning to deepen their skills.
🎯 Who Attends?
Speakers should design their sessions with early-career mainframers in mind. Attendees typically fall into one of the following categories:
- Systems Programmers & Mainframe Operations – Those learning about infrastructure, performance, availability, and systems-level tools
- Application Developers – New programmers working with COBOL, Java, or scripting languages on or around z/OS
- Students & Apprentices – Individuals in education or vocational pathways just beginning their mainframe journey
- All Mainframers – Sessions with general appeal across roles, often covering soft skills, tooling, or conceptual foundations
Many attendees will be encountering these concepts for the first time or seeking to build confidence in real-world application — so clarity, relevance, and approachability are key.
📚 What Topics Are Covered?
Sessions will fall under one of the following topic areas:
- Security – Including ESM's, access controls, encryption, compliance, and fundamentals
- z/OS – Operating system essentials, job control, JES2, workload management
- Transactions & Messaging – CICS, MQ, APIs, and integration patterns
- Databases – DB2, SQL, data structures, performance basics
- Code – COBOL, Java, Python, Git, DevOps tooling, pipelines
- Storage – Storage concepts, DASD, allocation, recovery
- Networks – TCP/IP, connectivity, z/OS network basics
- Soft Skills – Communication, teamwork, documentation, personal development
Each session should clearly identify a target audience and an experience level so attendees know what to expect.
WAVEZ Summer Surf is about accessible, inspiring content — not just technical deep-dives. Sessions should focus on helping people build a solid foundation, understand how technologies fit together, and feel more confident navigating the world of mainframes.
Call for Papers
01 Jun 2025
01 Jul 2025
Event format: Virtual – One day each week in August 2025
Platform: Zoom
Session length: 45 minutes (including Q&A)
Call for Papers opens: 1st June 2025
Submissions close: 1st July 2025
Speakers notified: 8th July 2025
Agenda published: 15th July 2025
The WAVEZ Summer Surf 2025 is a virtual event series designed for early-career mainframers in their first 0–7 years. Whether they’re students, junior developers, or new systems programmers, this event offers accessible, friendly learning sessions that build knowledge, confidence, and community.
Each week in August, we’ll deliver curated live sessions via Zoom – and we’re inviting you to submit a session proposal.
🎯 What Are We Looking For?
We’re seeking 45-minute sessions (including time for Q&A) that focus on educating or inspiring early-career mainframers. Sessions should be accessible, practical, and relevant to attendees in the following audience roles:
- Systems Programmers & Mainframe Operations
- Application Developers
- Students & Apprentices
- All Mainframers (cross-role content)
⚙️ Session Levels
Sessions should be suitable for one of two experience levels:
- WAVEZ 101 – Beginner-level content, ideal for those new to the platform
- WAVEZ 102 – Intermediate content, designed for those growing foundational knowledge
📚 Topics We’re Looking For
Select your topic focus from the following areas:
- Security – RACF, access management, encryption, compliance
- z/OS – Operating system components, JES2, JCL, workload management
- Transactions & Messaging – CICS, MQ, APIs, messaging tools and integration
- Databases – DB2, VSAM, SQL, database tuning and structure
- Code – COBOL, Java, Python, DevOps tools, automation, CI/CD
- Storage – DASD, tapes, data storage, backups, space management
- Networks – TCP/IP, connectivity, network configuration on z/OS
- Soft Skills – Communication, productivity, career development, collaboration
Don’t worry if your session could fit multiple categories — just choose the most appropriate topic, intended audience, and skill level during submission.
📥 How to Submit
Your session proposal should include:
- Session title
- Brief abstract/description
- Target audience (select one: Systems Programmer & Ops / Developer / Student / All Mainframers)
- Topic category (select one from the list above)
- WAVEZ level (101 or 102)
✅ Key Dates
Call for Papers open: 1st June – 1st July 2025
Speaker notifications sent: 8th July 2025 (including delivery date for confirmation)
Agenda goes live: 15th July 2025
Event runs: Weekly in August 2025 via Zoom
Whether you’re introducing core concepts, demonstrating useful tools, or sharing soft skills that help people thrive in the workplace, this is your chance to support the next generation of mainframers.