Our history

Mediterranean Editors and Translators (MET) was founded in 2006 to support language professionals in the Mediterranean. Starting as a meeting in Barcelona, it has grown into an international association offering workshops, conferences and resources for editors, translators and other language professionals. Below are the key milestones marking MET’s history.

Beginnings

A small group of professionals offering English-language support services decide to create a space where they can share knowledge and foster professional development.

The first Mediterranean Editors and Translators Meeting takes place later that year in Barcelona (METM05), organized entirely by volunteers and attended by 55 people.

2005

The founding

The success of METM05 in promoting cross-fertilization between researchers and professionals inspires the 11 founding members to sign a charter, formalizing MET’s existence. Legacy logo of Mediterranean Editors and Translators, rusty orange on a white background MET starts to cultivate partnerships with sister associations after joining ReFAL, the Spanish Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation.

Workshops emphasizing practical skills grounded in theory are offered for the first time in the spring and at the second METM, attended by twice as many people as METM05.

2006

Beyond Spain

MET expands its university collaborations: METM08 is hosted by the University of Split (Croatia). The METM choir is born.

2008

Networking

Themed meal tables are organized for the first time to encourage attendee interaction. These soon become a staple on the off-METM fringe programme.

2011

New branding, new country

MET’s logo gets a new look. Current logo of Mediterranean Editors and Translators, blue on a white background The first METM in Italy is held in Venice.

2012

Web makeover and expansion

MET launches a new website with an online directory of members (now over 200).

2013

Another new country

METM15 runs concurrently with the PRISEAL applied linguistics conference in Portugal.

2015

Member benefits

The Hive, MET’s repository of tools, resources and reviews, goes live. Small grants are introduced for members doing research in line with MET’s objectives.

2017

Partnerships

MET now has nine sister associations and also signs a Memorandum of Understanding with ITI.

2018

Pandemic

MET goes online for the workshop season and for METM Revisited, which features highlights from past METMs. MET Conversations and the MET Book Club enhance the online offering.

Membership stabilizes around 500.

2020

Full conference online

METM21 Online, attended by 250 people, features two full days of presentations plus online networking.

2021

Hybrid CPD and sustainability

In-person METMs return alongside online training, giving all members the chance to take part in MET’s activities.

With sustainability firmly on the agenda, METM22 marks the first swag-free, paperless conference.

2022

France

The first METM in France is held in Carcassonne.

MET welcomes its eighth institutional member.

2024

Back to our roots

MET returns to Barcelona for METM25, celebrating…20 years of MET meetings, 2005-2025

2025

Our thanks go to MET’s founding members for their vision and initiative. In alphabetical order, they are Alan Lounds, Ann King, Carolyn Newey, Catherine Mark, Greg Morley, Iain K. Patten, Irwin Temkin, Karen Shashok, Mary Ellen Kerans, Simon Bartlett and Susan DiGiacomo.