Condamines & Narcy-Combes (2015) have recently suggested replacing the term «applied linguistics» by «situated linguistics» following Brumfit’s (1977) work on situated sciences. Brumfit argued that the aim was not simply to apply research to a project but rather to engage in a process in which research and social projects are interconnected and mutually transform one another.
Following on from AFLA’s (the French Association of Applied Linguistics) two previous conferences: CRELA 2013 (Research Cultures in Applied Linguistics) & TRELA (Research fields in Applied Linguistics), the PRELA conference (Professionals and Research in Applied Linguistics) aims to question the methodological challenges, social implications and perspectives for action in the field of Applied Linguistics. The conference will address a variety of situations and questions, such as: Can studies in applied linguistics contribute to more inclusive education to better respond to the diversity of learners?What can applied linguistics bring to the understanding of technology mediated interactions? How can research in applied linguistics contribute to improving ergonomics and communication in the workplace (in hospital, aviation, police settings, etc.)?
PRELA 2019 is organised around three strands: 1) methodological challenges, 2) social implications and 3) perspectives for action.
Strand 1 – Methodological challenges: Situated research, particularly when conducted in sensitive fields, leads to the emergence of methodological challenges which incite researchers to consider ethical questions (access to research fields, explaining research topics, etc.) and questions linked to the timescale of research in the face of societal transformations. We welcome papers related to the following questions:
- In what ways does research on languages require vigilance, engagement and ethical practices towards participants a15
- How are methodological approaches in applied linguistics modified by these challenges? Through which creative initiatives? Using which tools?
- What are the contributions, questions and limitations of digital technologies in the implementation of research?
- How can the multiplicity of research timeframes be articulated with those of the professional world?
Strand 2 – Social implications: In the current context, where mobility and exchanges between individuals characterise daily life (personal, professional), socio-cultural and intergenerational diversity pose a real challenge to our societies which tend towards greater social inclusion. This strand encourages research around the following questions:
- How do researchers in applied linguistics position themselves and how do they account for this diversity (from the point of view of identity and/or ideology)?What roles do mediation and digital resources play in communication in plurilingual and pluricultural environments, particularly in cases of migration?
- In what ways do policy and applied linguistics shed light on one another? In other words,what is the impact of policy on linguistic research and how do studies in linguistics drive political discussions?
- How do researchers contribute to the recognition of minority languages (sign languages, regional languages, endangered languages, etc.) in collaboration with different actors in the field (associations, cooperatives, families, schools, etc.)?
- How can research findings and curriculum designs be articulated in order to reduce social and educational inequality?
Strand 3 – Perspectives for action: In view of these challenges and concerns, researchers in applied linguistics offer opportunities for action: through valorising and popularising research; going back to the research field; offering research support and training but also training through research; and taking on political responsibilities. This strand focuses on the following questions:
- In what ways can researchers’ contributions be useful to society? In what forms and for which target audiences?
- How does transdisciplinarity enable us to rethink social interactions and interactions between research fields?
- How can research findings be communicated to users, professionals and policy makers? Should researchers be trained in how to communicate their research findings?
- What types of support and recommendations should be offered to users, professionals and policy makers at the end of a study?
- How should innovations and their underlying ideologies be accompanied critically by researchers?
- What role can the citizen play in the research process?
Important dates
- Call for papers: early September 2018
- Abstract submission deadline: Friday 7 December 2018 Friday 11 January 2019
- Notification of acceptance and Registraton opens: 12 March 2019
- Programme publication: end of April 2019
- Conference: 24-26 June 2019
Contributions should include
- The title of the paper
- An abstract of 3000 signs including spaces (excluding references) in French or in English (to be filled up in the relevent field during the submission)
- The chosen strand from the 3 offered.
- Author’s personal details and institutional affiliation.
- Upload the proposal at: https://prela2019.sciencesconf.org/
