The Autumn Symposium of the Finnish Association for Applied Linguistics (AFinLA) will be held on 12–14 November 2026 in Oulu, which is the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Similarly to culture, the AFinLA Autumn Symposium brings participants together for collaboration and new ideas.
Indeed, the theme of the symposium this year is “Encounters: Culture, Technology and Interaction”. Proposals are invited for presentations of applied language studies that explore, for example, what kinds of encounters culture and technology enable, realise and require as well as what kinds of meanings, forms and changes language and interaction bring about in such encounters. In addition to proposals relating to the theme of the symposium, other topics related to applied language studies are welcomed.
Proposals for presentations, posters and workshops must be submitted by 14 August 2026. Acceptance of presentations, workshops and posters will be announced on 18 September 2026 at the latest. The final deadline for registration and payment of the symposium fees is 9 October 2026.
The symposium programme includes three plenary presentations:
Maria Frick, University of Oulu
Teppo Jakonen, University of Turku
Heike Ortner, University of Innsbruck
The symposium is organized by the University of Oulu. Organising committee: Tiina Räisänen (chair), Sabine Grasz, Mari Holmström, Antti Kamunen, Tiina Keisanen, Elina Nuutinen, Marjo Ohtamaa, Minna Pukari, Mirka Rauniomaa, Maija Saviniemi
More information on the symposium website.