MEDAL’s final conference focuses on innovative approaches to linguistic data
On 9–10 October 2025, the University of Tartu will host the final conference of the MEDAL project, “Methodological Excellence in Data-Driven Approaches to Linguistics: New Challenges, Novel Approaches.” The conference brings together leading linguists from across Europe to explore innovative methods in empirical linguistics. Registration is now open.
The conference marks the culmination of a three-year international research collaboration aimed at advancing methodological innovation in empirical linguistics, promote international research collaboration and create contacts. The programme includes plenary talks, parallel sessions, and a dedicated poster session for ECRs – a valuable opportunity to present your research, receive feedback, and connect with the international linguistic community.
The conference is free of charge.
Poster abstract deadline for ERC: 15 June 2025
Registration deadline: 8 September 2025
Plenary speakers
Professor Bickel explores the evolution of human language by connecting linguistic typology and phylogenetic methods with the neuroscience of comprehension and production. His talk highlights how certain linguistic preferences may be rooted in neurobiological mechanisms that persist across cultures.
Dr Culbertson introduces artificial language experiments as a powerful tool to test whether recurrent patterns across languages arise from cognitive constraints or historical accident. Her talk illustrates how such experimental methods can move the field beyond limited data and enable more conclusive claims about how human cognition shapes language.
Focusing on Estonian motion verbs, Dr Taremaa demonstrates a multi-method approach to understanding how speed is expressed linguistically. She presents data from corpus analysis, language production tasks, rating experiments, reaction time studies, and eye-tracking, showcasing how combining methodologies offers robust insights into language and cognition.
Please visit the conference website for updates and details.
Register
We look forward to welcoming you to Tartu for an inspiring event!
Events are organised by the Methodological Excellence in Data-Driven Approaches to Linguistics (MEDAL) consortium and are financed by the EU Horizon Europe programme (101079429) and UK Research and Innovation organisation (101079429).
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