EBSULING @ 10
A decade of language-centred interdisciplinary scholarship
2016–2026. Four editions, one consistent philosophy: language does not exist in isolation.
The Fourth EBSULING International Conference marks ten years since the establishment of EBSULING in 2016. Across four editions the conference has evolved in scope, format and ambition, but its central philosophy has remained consistent: language does not exist in isolation.
Language intersects with literature, culture, technology, education, communication, identity, governance, security, development and virtually every sphere of human life. EBSULING provides a meeting point between the study of language and the wider questions confronting contemporary society.
The progression
Four editions
Foundation
The beginning of an interdisciplinary conference tradition
The First EBSULING International Interdisciplinary Conference was held from 1–4 August 2016, organised by the then Department of Linguistics and Literary Studies under the headship of Dr Chinwe E. Obianika.
The digital turn
Digital humanities and the first EBSULING workshop
“Digital Humanities and Spaces: Exploring Current Trends in Digital Linguistics and Literature”
At a time when digital technologies were becoming central to humanistic and linguistic research, the second edition brought language and literary scholarship into conversation with digital humanities, digital linguistics, digital literature, media, culture and emerging technologies.
Hybridisation
Language, technoscience and broader interdisciplinarity
“Language, Technoscience, Security, and Socioeconomic Development: Towards a Holistic Digital Society”
Following a break in the series, EBSULING returned in 2025 as a hybrid conference, considerably broadening its interdisciplinary reach. It brought language scholarship into conversation with artificial intelligence, technoscience, digital communication, governance, security, socioeconomic development, culture and religion.
Disruptive technologies
A decade on: language, communication and society
“Language, Communication, and Society in an Era of Disruptive Technologies”
The fourth edition marks ten years since the inaugural conference. Artificial intelligence, generative technologies, social media, machine translation, digital publishing and human–machine interaction are rapidly changing how people communicate, conduct research, create knowledge, teach, learn and participate in society.
The second decade
Where EBSULING goes next
As EBSULING enters its second decade, it seeks to strengthen its international reach, encourage established and emerging scholars, promote interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration, build research capacity, and provide a sustainable platform through which scholarship on language and communication can contribute to understanding and addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
EBSULING 2016–2026
A decade of language, scholarship and interdisciplinary engagement