CCERBAL 2027 Conference: Bilingualism and Multilingualism at the Intersections of Art, Science, and Technology

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May 6, 2027 to May 8, 2027 — All day

The CCERBAL 2027 Conference returns with the theme Bilingualism and Multilingualism at the Intersections of Art, Science, and Technology. Bringing together researchers, educators, and practitioners from diverse disciplines in the language sciences and language teaching and learning, the conference will explore the evolving role of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), alongside the essential contributions of the arts and creativity. Together, these perspectives emphasize the importance of maintaining the human dimension of language as we face both the challenges and affordances of rapidly growing digital technologies.

Submit a proposal to the CCERBAL Conference
CCERBAL 2027

Overview

The rapid proliferation in artificial intelligence in recent years has brought about significant affordances as well as challenges in the language sciences, and in language teaching and learning, in particular. Researchers are now examining the use of AI and digital literacies in multiple languages in everyday communication contexts, promoting the critical use of AI tools in educational contexts, and advocating for the incorporation of human intelligence – especially artistic, creative, and human-centred activities, that complement the adoption of AI. Important questions arise as to how we can continue to advance a social justice agenda that resists the predominant use of English with emerging digital tools/AI, and instead, use them to advance bi/multilingualism. Furthermore, debates have emerged as to whether and how to limit the power of artificial intelligence in diverse contexts.

To address these issues and questions, the CCERBAL conference aims to bring together interdisciplinary researchers and educators that explore bilingualism and multilingualism within this changing context. The conference encourages studies in the areas of language use, learning, teaching, and assessment across educational levels and programs - such as in K-12 and post-secondary immersion/CLIL, heritage language learning, or Indigenous language learning and revitalization – but also in contexts outside the classroom – be it in the workplace, at home, or through artistic and cultural practices, or through the use of social media and other digital tools in everyday life. 

It is hoped that through interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration amongst linguists, critical applied linguists, language educators, and experts in sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and other related fields, this conference will harness the power of collective human intelligence to shape the direction of bilingualism and multilingualism in a changing world.

 

Proposal submissions will be open from October 5 to November 30, 2026. Please view the call for proposals for more information.

Conference format: Options to participate both in person or online will be available.

Check back soon for more information regarding speakers, and schedules.

 

Conference Chairs

Dr. Valia Spiliotopoulos (University of Ottawa, host institution)

Dr. Wei Cai (University of Calgary)

 

Keynote speakers

Achilleas Kostoulas

Dr. Achilleas Kostoulas

University of Thessaly, Lead Coordinator for the ECML project in AI and Language Education

Achilleas Kostoulas is an applied linguist, specializing in language education and (second language) teacher development. He teaches at the University of Thessaly in Greece, and is also affiliated with the Hellenic Open University. Dr. Kostoulas' research focuses on various aspects of language education, often seen through the lens of Complex Systems Theory.

 

Learn more about Dr. Achilleas Kostoulas
Placeholder for Dr. Debra Titone

Dr. Debra Titone

McGill University, Professor, Canada Research Chair in Language & Multilingualism

More information about Dr. Debra Titone coming soon.

 

Learn more about Dr. Debra Titone
Sara Schroeter

Dr. Sara Schroeter

University of Regina, Director, CERCD

Sara Schroeter is an associate professor and director of the Centre for Educational Research, Collaboration and Development at the University of Regina Faculty of Education. Her research looks at critical pedagogies, discourse on difference, and drama and theatre applied in Francophone schools and in community settings. She studies the potential for dramatic expression and multimodal literacies in encouraging personal expression and supporting dialogue on complex social issues such as racism, colonization, gender, sexuality, ablism and class inequalities. Prof. Schroeter has worked as an educator with NGOs in Montreal and Toronto, and as a drama instructor in elementary and secondary schools in Vancouver and Regina. She teaches university courses in French and in English on art instruction, literacies and antiracism. Her research and teaching promote inclusive, critical and creative teaching practices.

 

Learn more about Dr. Sara Schroeter
Accessibility
If you require any accessibility accommodations, please email the Marketing and Development team at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Date and time
May 6, 2027 to May 8, 2027
All day
Format and location
In person, Virtual
Language
English, French
Audience
Researchers, Teachers and educators, Graduate students, Undergraduate students
Organized by
CCERBAL
Submit a proposal to the CCERBAL Conference

Call for proposals

The call encourages submissions with the following non-exhaustive list of topics: 

  • Language, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), fully on-line and hybrid/blended language learning
  • Languages of schooling, immersion studies, bilingual and multilingual education, language intensive programs
  • Language and the arts
  • Bilingualism, multilingualism and the sciences
  • Indigenous language education and language revitalization, Indigeneity and language teacher education, Indigenized curriculum development and delivery
  • Official languages, heritage languages, modern languages, Indigenous languages, minority languages, languages other than English (LOTE)
  • Language, immigration, internationalization, and mobility; language and intercultural education 
  • Language policy and family language policy 
  • Community-based, experiential and informal language learning 
  • Linguistic security/insecurity and linguistic risk-taking  
  • Critical language studies; language and inclusion, social justice, and equity
  • Academic literacies, biliteracy, multiliteracies, and multimodality 
  • Plurilingualism, multilingualism, cross-linguistic transfer translanguaging 
  • Language assessment, Canadian Language Benchmarks/CEFR and its companion volume 
  • Psychology of language learning, emotions, positive psychology 
  • Nurturing the next generation of language researchers and teachers  

Format of submissions: oral presentations, posters, roundtables, thematic symposia, and workshops. This will be primarily an in-person conference with some on-line presentations. Keynote speeches and symposia will be available to on-line attendees; on-line presentations will occur at a designated block in the schedule.

 

Important dates

Submissions open: Monday, Oct. 5, 2026

Submissions close: Monday, November 30, 2026 

Acceptance notifications and registration: Early 2027 

Conference dates: May 6 - 8, 2027 

Venue: Canadian Centre for Studies and Research on Bilingualism and Language Planning (CCERBAL), Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI), University of Ottawa. 

Featured events: Plenary sessions, round tables and thematic symposia, professional development workshops; social activities, and much more. 

Submit a proposal to the CCERBAL Conference.

For more information, please contact us at the following address: [email protected]