International Conference

Literatures, Languages, Cultures, and Teaching English in a Changing World

24–25 September 2026
University of Prešov
17. novembra 1, 080 01 Prešov
Slovak Republic
Working language: English

The Organising Committee invites scholars, researchers, and educators to participate in an international academic conference devoted to the study of English-language literatures, linguistics, cultural studies, translation studies, and the methodology of teaching English. The conference will take place on 24–25 September 2026 in Prešov, Slovakia.

The aim of the conference is to provide forum for the presentation of original research, the exchange of theoretical and methodological perspectives in English studies, and the development of international academic cooperation. The conference is a part of research project registered at the Slovak Ministry of Education VEGA  1/0719/26 and KEGA 055PU-4/2026.

Conference Aims 

The conference seeks to:
•    Promote critical reflection on contemporary developments in English-language literary and cultural studies as well as in methodologies of teaching English
•    Encourage dialogue between theoretical, historical, and interdisciplinary approaches to language, literature, and culture and translation studies
•    Explore the intersections between linguistic, literary theories, pedagogy, translation, and cultural analysis
•    Promote scholarly cooperation between established academics and early-career researchers 

Conference Sections and Thematic Areas

Scholars are invited to submit proposals addressing, but not limited to, the following areas: 

Literatures of the English-Speaking Countries

• British, American, Irish, Canadian, Australian, and other Anglophone literatures
• Postcolonial theories and contemporary literary studies
• Ethnic, minority, Indigenous, and diasporic literatures
• Contemporary fiction, poetry, and drama in English
• Literary theory, criticism, and historiography
• Intermediality and interdisciplinary literary research
• Artificial Intelligence, Technology, and Literature
• Place, Region, and Space in Anglophone Literatures

Linguistics

• Theoretical and descriptive linguistics
• Applied linguistics and language use
• Sociolinguistics, pragmatics, and discourse analysis
• Corpus linguistics and digital approaches to language study
• English as a global, international, and lingua franca language
• Language variation, change, and contact
• Artificial Intelligence and linguistics

Methodology of Teaching English

• English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English Language Teaching (ELT)
• Curriculum design, syllabus development
• Innovative pedagogical approaches and classroom practices
• Digital tools, AI, and blended learning in English education
• Teacher training, professional development, and teaching practice
• Intercultural communication and competence in language teaching

Cultural Studies

• Cultural identities, memory, and representation
• Media, popular culture, and digital cultures
• Gender studies, ethnicity, and power relations
• Globalization, mobility, and transnational cultural exchange
• Cultural theory and interdisciplinary approaches
• Artificial Intelligence and cultural contexts

Translation Studies

• Literary and non-literary translation
• Translation theory, history, and criticism
• Cultural, ideological, and ethical dimensions of translation
• Audiovisual, digital, and multimedia translation
• Translation pedagogy and translator training
• Translation and Artificial Intelligence

Submission Guidelines

•    All abstracts, papers, and presentations must be in English.
•    Abstracts should be 250–300 words and clearly indicate:

o    the research topic and objectives
o    theoretical background and methodology
o    main arguments or findings

•    Abstracts should be accompanied by a short biographical note (50–70 words).
•    All submissions will be subject to academic review by the conference committee.

Abstract submission and correspondence: conferencepresov2026@gmail.com

Publication Opportunities 

We intend to publish selected contributions in:
•    Peer-reviewed conference proceedings, and/or
•    Affiliated scholarly journals, subject to editorial review and academic standards.
Detailed publication guidelines will be provided after the conference.

Important Dates

•    Abstract submission deadline:  21 June, 2026
•    Notification of acceptance: 30 June, 2026
•    Conference dates: 24–25 September 2026
•    Conference registration/payments: by 31 July, 2026
•    Early bird registration: 70 euros by 30 June,2026

Payment Details

Recipient:
Prešov University in Prešov
Faculty of Arts
17. Novembra 1
080 01 Prešov
Slovakia

Company ID (ICO): 17070775
Tax ID (DIC): 2020980082
VAT ID: SK2020980082
IBAN: SK87 8180 0000 0070 0007 8205
Payment reference (variable symbol): 101201

Payment note / Message for the recipient:
Please state your full name here in the message section

Important information
•    If any participant requires an invoice for the payment of the conference fee, please contact us in advance, prior to making the payment.
•    After the payment has been made, the invoice can be issued no later than 14 days after the payment date.

Further information regarding registration fees, accommodation options, keynote speakers, and the final programme will be published in subsequent circulars.

Registration fees:

Regular fee : €90 (by 31 July, 2026)

Early Bird: €70 (by 30 June 2026)

PhD. students €40 (by 31 July, 2026)

Conference Convenor

Prof. PhDr. Jaroslav Kušnír, PhD.
📧 jaroslav.kusnir@unipo.sk

Organising Committee

Prof. PhDr. Jaroslav Kušnír, PhD. (Main Organizer)
Prof. Theodora Tsimpouki (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece)
Prof. Brenda Machosky (University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu, USA)
Prof. Fred Woods (Brigham Young University, Provo, USA)
Dr. Roanna Gonsalves (University of New South Wales, Australia)

Prof. Dr. Arda Arikan (Akdeniz University, Turkey)
Prof. Dr. Süleyman Başaran (Batman University, Turkey)
Assistant Prof. Dr. Emrah Işık (Batman University, Turkey)
Assistant Professor Elzem Nazli(Batman University, Turkey)
Assistant Professor Dr. Güven Çağan(Batman University, Turkey)
Dr. Ebru Noyan(Batman University, Turkey)
Prof. PhDr. Anton Pokrivčák, PhD. (TU Trnava)
Prof. Silvia Pokrivčáková, PhD. (TU Trnava)

Prof. PaedDr. Ivana Cimermanová, PhD.

Prof. PhDr. Milan Ferenčík, PhD.
Prof. Mgr. Zuzana Straková, PhD.
doc. PhDr. Klaudia Bednárová-Gibová, PhD.
doc. PhDr. Miroslava Gavurová, PhD.
Univ. doc. Michaela Sepešiová, PhD.
Mgr. Denisa Bariová, PhD.

Mgr. Veronika Bežilová, PhD.

Mgr. Beáta Biliková, PhD.

PaedDr. Miloš Blahút, PhD.
Mgr. Eduard Drančák, PhD.
Jonathan Eddy, M.A., PhD.

Mgr. Zuzana Nováková, PhD.
Mgr. Júlia Pavlinská, PhD.

Mgr. Soňa Haľková 

Mgr. Natália Rozmanová 

Mgr. Kamila Kamala Galjuš 

The Organising Committee warmly welcomes contributions from scholars worldwide and looks forward to hosting participants in Prešov for two days of stimulating academic exchange, professional and scholarly cooperation in  English studies.