*Convergence 2026: Human-AI Integration for Multilingual and Accessible
Communication*
*Guildford, UK, 17 – 19 June 2026*
*First call for papers*
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/centre-translation-studies/convergence-2026
**
*The conference*
Building on the success of the first *Convergence conference*
<https://www.surrey.ac.uk/centre-translation-studies/convergence-2023> in
2023, which explored the responsible and intelligent integration of
human and machine capabilities in translation and interpreting, the
Centre for Translation Studies <https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cts> at
University of Surrey, UK, is proud to announce *Convergence 2026:
Human-AI Integration for Multilingual and Accessible Communication*. The
second edition of the Convergence conference will create an opportunity
to bring together innovative research on the evolving landscape of AI in
the context of multilingual and accessible communication, reflecting on
the complexity and effects of using AI-driven technologies in these
fields. The conference will foster a multidisciplinary dialogue that
will generate new theoretical perspectives and practical research,
focusing on themes such as the ethical aspects of AI in translation and
interpreting, AI-enabled digital accessibility and societal inclusion,
and the impact of Generative AI on language mediation. We will also
examine the evolving role of language professionals, the power of Large
Language Models (LLMs) in supporting multilingual communication, and the
crucial need for responsible use of language AI in the public sector.
The conference will publish full papers in open access proceedings with
assigned ISBN and DOI.
**
*Conference themes*
Theme 1: Ethical aspects of AI in translation and interpreting
Theme 2: AI-enabled digital accessibility and societal inclusion
Theme 3: Which creative turn? Language mediation in the era of GenAI
Theme 4: The evolving role of language professionals in the era of AI
Theme 5: LLMs supporting multilingual communication
Theme 6: Responsible use of language AI in the public sector
**
*Submissions and publications*
Convergence 2026 invites the following types of submissions on one of
the conference themes:
* *Full papers*– describing original completed research. Allowed paper
length: maximum 8 pages + unlimited number of pages for references
and appendices
* *Short papers*– describing work in progress.**Allowed paper length:
maximum 4 pages + unlimited number of pages for references and
appendices**
**
The conference aims to be a platform for in-depth discussion of
prevalent themes while also offering contributors the opportunity for
swift publication of their work. The event will provide the wide
community of Translation and Interpreting Studies and the disciplines it
intersects with, a space for networking, collective brainstorming and
looking into the future of communication, all sustained by a robust set
of papers published in the conference proceedings.
Both full and short papers can be associated with rigorous empirical
work or conceptual approaches to the themes of the conference. PhD
students are also invited to submit papers regardless of the stage of
their PhD journey. If accepted, their papers may be selected to any of
the sessions of the conference, including a dynamic poster session, in
which students may receive feedback and consider new developments for
their work.
The papers should be formatted using a style similar to the two column
ACL style (available at https://acl-org.github.io/ACLPUB/formatting.html
<https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Facl-org.github.io%2FACLPUB%2Fformatting.html&data=05%7C02%7Cc.orasan%40SURREY.AC.UK%7C5f2c15773dc04c601a5e08ddf6a552b1%7C6b902693107440aa9e21d89446a2ebb5%7C0%7C1%7C638937912118170864%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=jtcb3spVdOWe67Hv5s3xXoWMnE21A7l9BiIAtkfI9a0%3D&reserved=0>).
The next call for papers will provide links to the styles customised for
the Convergence 2026 conference.
The submission will be electronic, using the Softconf START conference
management system which will be available at the conference website
soon. The follow up calls will provide more details about how to submit
papers.
Each submission will be reviewed by three members of the Programme
Committee. *The conference will not consider and evaluate abstracts only.*
The final versions of the accepted papers will be published in
e-proceedings with assigned ISBN and DOI. Authors may add one additional
page to their final submission to incorporate the feedback from reviewers.
**
*Schedule*
* *Deadline for full papers*: 16th Feb 2026
* *Notification to authors*: 30th March 2026
* *Submissions of final papers*: 22nd May 2026
* *Dates of the conference*: 17 – 19 June 2026
**
*Venue*
The conference will take place in Guildford at University of Surrey.
*Further information and contact details*
The second call for papers will be published at the beginning of
November. The follow-up calls will list keynote speakers, conference
chairs and members of the programme committee once confirmed. Meanwhile,
if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us on
cts_inquir...@surrey.ac.uk <mailto:cts_enquir...@surrey.ac.uk>
--
Prof Constantin Orăsan
Professor in Language and Translation Technologies
Room 06LC03, Phone extension: 4115
Centre for Translation Studies, University of Surrey
Third Floor | Library | University of Surrey | Guildford | Surrey | GU2 7XH
Phone: +44 (0) 1483 684115
Personal page:https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/constantin-orasan
