METM26 call for proposals

Voices heard and unheard


At METM26, we’re keen to discuss voice and how it relates to authenticity, authority and inclusivity. How do you faithfully represent your clients’ voice or help them to strengthen it? How do you make voices from the past resonate in the present? When marginalized voices are at risk of being flattened or misrepresented by machine-generated output, how do you help to ensure they are heard? If you work with speakers of minoritized languages, what strategies do you use to preserve their voice?

And what of our own voices? In the era of the algorithm, how can we showcase the value we provide, secure recognition for our work, and safeguard our individual and collective well-being?

As ever, we welcome proposals that respond to MET’s broad interest in helping language professionals who work with English improve the quality of their services and their ability to respond to clients’ diverse needs. Typical METM presentations describe promising practices, provide knowledge updates or report research findings.

Specifically, we invite proposals in the following areas:

  • language and applied linguistics
  • subject-matter expertise
  • business practices
  • languages and cultures of Umbria and other regions in Italy

To explore the scope of topics covered at past METMs, browse the Past conferences pages of our website.

Priority will be given to original proposals that express a clear take-home message and explain the relevance of the presentation to our members.

MET is a non-profit, English-language, knowledge-sharing and peer-training network. We encourage submissions from both seasoned and novice presenters with expertise to share.

Members and non-members are welcome to submit a proposal. Non-members whose submissions are accepted will be required to join MET before registering for METM26.

13 February 2026

If you need a few extra days, write to Wendy Baldwin, METM26 content coordinator, before the deadline to ask if an extension is possible.

  • presentations by one or two people
  • panel discussions with a moderator and up to three panellists
  • interactive sessions with audience participation, guided by one or two hosts
  • three-hour workshops organized off-programme. If you have a workshop proposal, contact Louise Normandière directly. (Do not use the submission form.)

We recommend the following timings (including 10 minutes for Q&A), though other lengths may be considered:

  • standalone presentation: 45 minutes
  • panel or interactive session: 60 minutes

In 200 to 300 words, describe the what, why, how and who of your presentation:

  • What are we going to hear and see? (Introduce your topic.)
  • Why do we need to hear or see it? (Describe the problem or question you will address.)
  • How exactly is it going to be said or shown to us? (Explain the structure of your talk. If you will be using examples in or excerpts from languages other than English in your presentation, tell us which languages. If tools are the focus, specify operating systems and supported languages.)
  • Who should attend? (Specify whether your topic is for all comers or a narrower audience, e.g. newcomers, editors, people working in particular language pairs, subject experts, etc.)

All abstracts accepted for peer review will be separately evaluated by two reviewers in a double-blind process. We may ask you for additional details or revisions prior to or during peer review.

No final decisions on programme content will be made until all abstracts have been reviewed and evaluated (late April-early May 2026).

Before you write your abstract, read the submission form to check on word and character limits and other requirements for your headshot, speaker bio, etc. 

If you have co-presenters, read the instructions for obtaining photo and data processing consent before submitting your proposal.

If your proposal is accepted:

  • Follow MET’s slide checklist and presentation guidelines.
  • Provide subtitles in English for any audio or video you will use in your presentation.
  • Test that any tech (e.g. QR codes, polls) that supports your presentation works as intended at the venue prior to your session, and keep in mind that not everyone will have a compatible device.
Furthermore, MET strives to minimize printed material at METMs, and we encourage speakers to do the same. To that end:
  • Presentations should be slide-based.
  • Interactive sessions should integrate interactive elements into the slide deck as much as possible. If printed handouts are necessary, keep them to a single (double-sided) page.

Accepted speakers register for METM26 at a discounted rate. MET does not cover speakers’ travel, accommodation or other expenses.

Any other questions?

If you’d like to discuss your proposal before submitting it, write to Wendy Baldwin, content coordinator. To propose a pre-conference workshop, write to Louise Normandière, CPD Chair.