Researching discursive and linguistic barriers to social inclusion
RC25 ISA midterm conference in Warsaw

(19-20th of September 2024)

Aims and Scope

The conference aims to foster discussion among sociologists, sociolinguists, educators, and activists aware of the language and discourse issues; and any other social scientists interested in relations between language and society, and how the inclusion and exclusion are created by the medium of language and discourse. The conference falls onto 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Janusz Korczak Chair in Social Pedagogy creating opportunities to extend the RC25 network.

During the conference, we wish to look at language and through language. Any research investigating language and discourse is welcome, as all theoretical and methodological frameworks can be used to create socio-pedagogical and linguistic analyses of language. Here are some non-exhaustive suggestions of conference sessions. Whilst we know what submissions are supplied we will finalize this list:

• Foreign language as means of instruction
• Language landscape and social change
• Discourses of exclusion, Hate speech, Inclusive language
• Critically about linguistic praxis
• Linguistic education and policy
• Language and power
• Language in public and private spheres
• Multilingualism and plurilingualism
• Language and transnationalism
• Language and migration
• Language and global network
• Language, identity, tradition
• Language and intersectional positioning in the public and private sphere

2 Special sessions organised by IKA, celebrating the 20th anniversary of UNESCO Janusz Korczak Chair:

• The language of love – relevance of Korczak’s ideas on how to love a child;
• Korczak inspired contemporary discourses on children’s rights.

To enhance knowledge dissemination beyond linguistic borders, scholars are welcome to present the literature they are using, and which is not available in English. English, however, is the official communication language for the conference.

RC 25 Language & Society is a research committee of the International Sociological Association. The objective of the Research Committee on Language and Society is to advance sociological knowledge concerning language in interaction and in systems of representation. Members are united by the desire to look at systems of communication, and how language influences social structures and social change.

The Maria Grzegorzewska University focuses on the social inclusion of individuals and groups that may be socially marginalized, discriminated against or excluded. The mission of acceptance, participation and solidarity is highlighted by the achievements of the University’s Patron: Maria Grzegorzewska (1888-1967), the pioneer of special pedagogy in Poland, human rights activist, and Janusz Korczak, the UNESCO Chair’s patron, writer, medical doctor, philosopher of childhood, who worked at our university and advocated for children’s rights (1878-1942). Please note that the UNESCO Chair celebrates its 20th anniversary, and therefore there will be special Janusz Korczak Anniversary Medals granted at the award ceremony accompanying the conference.

The Polish Educational Research Association was established in 1981 and is the largest national network of educators, teachers, and pedagogues in Poland.

The Institute of Political Sciences at the Polish Academy of Sciences is a supporting partner and co-organizer of this conference. The Institute was founded in 1990 and brings together leading Polish political scientists, historians and sociologists in order to create a unique environment where innovative knowledge and policy expertise is produced. The Institute`s mission is to conduct high-level multidisciplinary research that investigates political and social change at the crossroads between East and West.

Submission process

Please submit abstracts and interests in passive participation via this dedicated website: [konferencje.aps.edu.pl/rc25isa]

Scholars are requested to submit paper proposals including, the title of the presentation and a short 150-250 word abstract, accompanied by 3-5 keywords. Submissions should be made online via the dedicated website.

The Scientific Committee will select papers for presentation and will notify participants of acceptance by the end of May 2024. There will also be a possibility to give distributed papers.

We try to keep the registration fee low; and dedicate it to refreshments and conference materials. Registration is mandatory also for passive participants without presentations. The registration fee will be 35 euro, or 150 PLN respectively. It covers conference materials and 2 lunches. Fee waivers are available for scholars in difficult economic situations.

Transport, accommodation, health insurance or personal expenses are not covered and should be organized by participants themselves.

Deadline for abstract submission: 7th of May 2024
Results of the abstract selection: 30th of May 2024
The provisional program will be online by the 1st of July 2024.

Scientific Committee:

• Prof. Keiji Fujiyoshi, President of RC 25 ISA, Otemon Gakuin University, Japan
• Prof. Anna Odrowaz-Coates, RC25 and Maria Grzegorzewska University, Poland
• Prof. dr hab. Joanna Madalińska-Michalak, University of Warsaw (UW), Poland, PTP
• Prof. Dariusz Stępkowski, Cardinal Wyszyński University (UKSW), Poland, PTP
• Dr. Frida Petersson, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
• Dr. Rika Yamashita, Kanto Gakuin University, Japan
• Prof. Beatriz Xavier, Universidade Nova Lisboa. Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
• Dr. Stéphanie Cassilde, Ronin Institute, Belgium
• Prof. Błażej Przybylski (PTP), Poland
• Dr Elżbieta Strutyńska-Laskus (PTP), Poland
• Dr Mariusz Baranowski Adam Mickwiewicz University, Poland
• Dr Magdalena Lemańczyk Institute of Political Studies, PAS, Poland, RC 25 ISA

• Prof. Michał Kwiatkowski, Maria Grzegorzewska University, Poland
• Prof. Barbara Pasamonik, Polish Sociological Association, Poland
• Prof. Jaroslaw Rola, Maria Grzegorzewska University, Poland
• Dr Cecilia Zsögön, Maria Grzegorzewska University, Poland
Organizing Committee:
• Keiji Fujiyoshi, President of RC 25 ISA, Japan
• Anna Odrowąż-Coates (UNESCO Janusz Korczak Chair, Poland)
• Anna Perkowska-Klejman (Maria Grzegorzewska University, Poland)
• Dr Magdalena Lemańczyk (IPS PAS, Poland, RC 25 ISA)
• Marta Kulesza (Maria Grzegorzewska University, Poland)
• Krystyna Heland-Kurzak (Maria Grzegorzewska University, Poland)
• Magdalena Roszak (Maria Grzegorzewska University, Poland)
• Katarzyna Szostakowska (Maria Grzegorzewska University, Poland)
• Anna Górka Strzałowska (Maria Grzegorzewska University, Poland)
• Marta Wiatr (Maria Grzegorzewska University, Poland)

Mail: unescochair@aps.edu.pl 

more information: here