13th International Conference on Language Variation in Europe (ICLaVE 13) 

Lausanne, 29 June – 2 July 2026

https://iclave13.ch/ 

The 13th International Conference on Language Variation in Europe (ICLaVE 13), co-organized by the University of Bern and the University of Lausanne, will be held at the University of Lausanne from 29 June – 2 July 2026. 

We are delighted to feature the following invited plenary speakers: 

• Andrea Ender (Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg) 

• Inés Fernández-Ordóñez (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) 

• Peadar Ó Muircheartaigh (University of Edinburgh) 

• Sadie Ryan (University of Glasgow) 

ICLaVE is the premiere forum for research on language variation in Europe. It brings together scholars of languages and language varieties in Europe and elsewhere to discuss current empirical, methodological, and theoretical issues related to the study of language variation and change, broadly conceived.  

The theme of ICLaVE 13 is “Language, Im/mobilities, and Belonging”. With this theme, we wish to explore the crucial role that linguistic variation plays in the construction, regimentation, and evaluation of communal belonging. We seek to showcase a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches to the topic, including research that engages with issues of im/mobility and belonging in novel and cross-disciplinary ways. 

FIRST CALL FOR ABSTRACTS 

ICLaVE 13 invites abstract submissions for the three presentation formats featured at the conference: individual papers (20 minutes), posters (dedicated session), and organized panels. Authors may submit two abstracts in total to the conference, if at least one is co-authored. This includes all types of contributions (papers, posters, panels). 

Panels (deadline: October 1, 2025): We invite proposals for a limited number of organized panels that engage directly with the conference theme. Panels can be either single-length (2 hours, 4 presentation slots) or double-length (4 hours, 8 presentations slots). To enable conference attendees to move between presentations, panels must keep to the regular conference schedule (i.e., 20-minute presentations followed by 10-minute discussion). Panel proposals must include: 1) a 500-word panel description, including a statement of how the panel relates to the conferences theme and its key questions, aims, and objectives, 2) a list of panel contributors, and 3) individual 500-word abstracts for each panel contribution. Anonymization for panel abstracts is not required and abstracts for discussants are not required. Note that participation in a panel (whether as organizer or contributor) counts as one of the two abstracts authors are permitted to submit. Abstracts can be submitted via the conference submission system: https://www.conftool.com/iclave13/

Individual Papers and Posters (deadline: November 1, 2025): We invite abstracts for individual 30-minute paper presentations (20-minute presentations followed by 10-minute discussion) and posters (showcased during a dedicated evening session). We welcome presentations of original research from a variety of theoretical and/or methodological perspectives (including sociolinguistics, dialectology, historical linguistics, sociology of language, and psycholinguistics, among others). We particularly encourage submissions that are related to the conference theme, though abstracts that deal with any aspect of variation in language use or the linguistic system are welcome. Abstracts must be fully anonymized and must not exceed 500 words, excluding title and references. Abstracts should provide information on the topic, data, methodology, and theoretical framework(s) of the contribution.  Abstracts can be submitted via the conference submission system: https://www.conftool.com/iclave13/ 

We look forward to seeing you in Lausanne in 2026!