Shifting Power in Language Learning and Applied Linguistics with GenAI
A conference at The Open University UK, School of Languages and Applied Linguistics, in Milton Keynes and online
November 13th and 14th 2025
(Source: Better Images of AI)
This hybrid event will bring together cutting-edge research, innovative practices, and theoretical perspectives on the ethical and responsible integration of AI in the learning and teaching of languages and cultures and applied linguistics. The conference theme draws inspiration from the Shifting Power project which itself was inspired by the thinking of Pratyusha Kalluri of the Radical AI Network. Asking whether AI is good or fair is not the right question, she holds. Instead, we should seek to explore its potential to “shift power” in the direction of learners, who in our context are learners of languages and applied linguistics.
The event will be highly relevant for researchers, educators, learners and other languages and applied linguistics practitioners alike.
The conference will primarily be conducted in English, and all abstract submissions must be in English. However, we encourage the creative and inclusive use of multiple languages throughout the conference sessions, supported by AI tools for translation to ensure accessibility. Please note that interpretation/translation services will not be provided.
All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review process. Authors will be notified of acceptance in time to register by the registration deadline.
This conference will explore how power is being shifted towards, away from, and between learners and educators by AI technologies, and the new dynamic and potential changes this is bringing about in applied linguistics, languages and cultures studies. Potential topics for the papers may include, but are not limited to:
- AI and its impact on the training and evolving roles of languages and applied linguistics educators and their relationships with learners;
- AI and its potential to support inclusive and personalised learning in languages and applied linguistics;
- AI integration into learning, teaching and assessment of languages, cultures and applied linguistics with a focus on ethical issues and sustainability challenges;
- Core concepts and theoretical frameworks guiding the integration of AI in applied linguistics;
- Core concepts and theoretical frameworks guiding the integration of AI in the learning and teaching of languages and cultures;
- Questions around the use of AI in carrying out research in languages, cultures and applied linguistics, and its impact on research processes and outputs.
There will be one single online strand with sessions accessible to attendees both online and onsite. The online strand will include the streaming of the keynotes and the expert panel. The online strand will run in parallel with all other strands which will be onsite only (i.e. no online participation).
One presenter from teams who want to present in the online strand must be designated as the online moderator. For sessions with a single presenter, an online moderator will be provided.
Onsite presentations – by teams as well as individuals – will all have a moderator.
>> Facilitated Discussions (40 minutes)
These in person or online sessions should propose a topic or challenge that is relevant to the wider field of AI-enhanced learning and teaching of languages and cultures and (applied) linguistics and provide two to three thought-provoking questions and/or breakout activities in order to guide an interactive conversation with attendees. Proposals can include roles for up to 3 facilitators but should focus on engaging participants rather than developing a panel of presenters. Proposals must describe the topic or challenge and explain the framework for drawing out discussion and involving in-person or online participants in active conversation. Submissions should include the aforementioned questions/discussion prompts and/or breakout activities that the author(s) would like to pose to attendees to spark conversation on the presentation topic.
(Proposals for Facilitated Discussions should not exceed 300 words)
>> Presentations (20 min)
These in-person or online sessions should consist of a maximum of 15 minutes for the presentation and 5 minutes for Q&A. Presentation proposals should include a full description of what will be presented including a statement highlighting whether the presentation focuses on research or practice. They should also state whether the paper is intended to be presented online or in person.
(Proposals for Presentations should not exceed 300 words)
Proposals will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Alignment with a conference topic (see above)
- Relevant: the proposal has high potential to attract conference attendees by addressing the needs of researchers, educators and other practitioners in (applied) linguistics and the learning and teaching of languages and cultures; its contents can be broadly disseminated and understood
- Clear: the intended outcomes of the session are easily understood
- Well Researched: claims are backed by sufficient data, draw on relevant literature and/or multiple perspectives and limitations are acknowledged (presentations of research only)
- Scope: applicable to a broad range of practitioners at various levels (presentations of practice only)
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>> Prof. Clare Wright – AI Literacy in Higher Education: Developing Nuanced Understandings of Competence, Ethics and Equity
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>> Prof. Kate Borthwick – Shifting the dial: the transformational power and challenge of AI in language education Professor Kate Borthwick | University of Southampton
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>> Dr. Tracie Farrell – Shifting Narratives: efficiency and erasure with GenAI People | Knowledge Media Institute | The Open University
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There will be a panel of experts chaired by Distinguished Professor Carol Chapelle with contributions aligned with the conference theme by Professor Ron Darvin and Professor Britta Schneider.
- Submission system opens: March 24th, 2025
- Deadline for submission of abstracts: May 16th, 2025
- Notification of acceptance: June 2nd, 2025
- Registration opens: April 28th, 2025
- Registration closes: October 17th, 2025
- Submission of papers for conference proceedings (optional): November 30th, 2025.
£150 in-person (includes coffees on both days and lunch on day 2. Kindly note that the conference starts after lunch on Day 1. There will be a reception in the afternoon/evening though.)
£100 online
- 20-minute presentations (online or in person)
- 40-minute facilitated discussions with up to 3 facilitators (online or in person)
Proposals should be submitted via email, beginning on March 31st, 2025: ai-languages-conference@open.ac.uk
The following information will be requested during the submission process:
- Names, titles, contact info, institutional or organisational affiliation and short bio (max 100 words) for each presenter and facilitator
- Conference topic (selected from the list above)
- Session format (selected from the list above)
- Title of the abstract
- Abstract (max. 300 words)
All presenters must register for the conference before August 31st, 2025 in order to guarantee inclusion in the conference agenda. Only individuals who will be presenting at the conference (onsite or online) should be included in the proposal. Any additional non-presenting authors can be included in the presentation slides but please note that only presenter/facilitator names will be listed in the conference program.
We plan to develop an edited volume arising from the event for publication in the Bloomsbury series Advances in Digital Language Learning and Teaching.
- Dr Zsuzsanna Barkanyi
- Samantha Davage (administrative support)
- Dr Rachele De Felice
- Prof John Domingue
- Dr Deirdre Dunlevy
- Dr Korina Giaxoglou
- Prof Mirjam Hauck
- Dr Clare Horackova
- Prof Rosina Marquez-Reiter
- Dr Frank Monaghan
- Dr Lauren O’Hagan
- Diana Woodman (administrative support)
The following two accommodations are within walking distance of the Open University campus where the conference will be held. We have secured discount codes for our guests at both locations:
- Delta Hotel Milton Keynes: Delta Hotels by Marriott Milton Keynes | Marriott Bonvoy.
- Kents Hill Park: A leading conference, meeting, and training venue with accommodation. Dedicated Training and Conference Centre with Accommodation. Discount code: TOUKHP
If you have any queries, please contact: ai-languages-conference@open.ac.uk
