Timeline
Please note that the dates for calls, decisions and registration may change and the changes will reflect here.
2024
Announcement of location, year and host
2025
Announcement of theme
Announcement of keynotes
Confirmation of dates
2026
1 April: Call for panels opens
17 July: Call for panels closes
21 August: Communication of panel decisions
1 September: Call for presentations opens
23 October: Call for presentations closes
11 December: Communication of presentation decisions
2027
11 January - 28 February: Early-bird registration
1 March - 30 April: Registration
1 May - 18 June: Late Registration
18 June: Final day for registration
5 July: Pre-conference workshops
6 - 9 July: Conference
Call for Panels
Opens: 1 April 2026
Closes: 17 July 2026 (this is the new date incl. an extension), midnight SAST
Decision: by 21 August 2026
We invite submissions of panel proposals within the fields of ethnomethodology, conversation analysis, and related fields. We welcome proposals aligned with the conference theme. Submissions are inclusive of a title, keywords and 700-word abstract. To aid the blind review process, you will need to select the approach that best fits your paper: Ethnomethodology; Conversation Analysis; Membership Categorisation Analysis; Interactional Linguistics; Ethnography; Discursive Psychology; Other.
Note: Accepted panels will consist of 4 to 10 individual paper presentations. For the conference, panel organizers will be required to peer review individual paper submissions for their panel, register for and attend the conference and to facilitate the panel (introduce presentations, facilitate Q&As, &, where possible, run a final panel discussion).
*Submissions are restricted to one panel application per applicant.
Call for presentations
Opens: 1 September 2026
Closes: 23 October 2026, midnight SAST
Decision: 11 December 2026
We welcome submissions of presentations that are aligned with the conference theme and fit within the fields of ethnomethodology, conversation analysis, and related fields. Submissions are inclusive of a title, keywords and 500-word abstract.
On submission of your abstract please select a specific panel or the general stream from a single list that includes all panels as well as broad approaches. If you are applying to a panel just select your preferred panel. If you are applying to the general stream, please select the approach most suited to your study to aid the review process (these include Ethnomethodology; Conversation Analysis; Membership Categorisation Analysis; Interactional Linguistics; Ethnography; Discursive Psychology; Other). Refer to the list of accepted panels linked below.
Note: For accepted abstracts, individual paper presentations will be 15 - 20 mins long, followed by a 5 - 10 min Q&A.
*Submissions are restricted to one first author application per applicant. However, co-authorship of additional papers is supported.
FAQs
Do you have questions about the calls, submissions and submission process?
Check the list of frequently asked questions and answers below.
Abstracts
What is the abstract length?
Panel abstracts should be no longer than 700 words. Presentation abstracts should be no longer than 500 words. The word count excludes the title and keywords.
What format should the abstract be in?
Your abstract needs to be in a text format (not video or audio). You will need to type or paste it into the submission portal form. Abstracts must be in English.
How many abstracts can I submit?
You can only submit one panel and presentation as a first author. You can be listed as a secondary author on other submissions.
What is the difference between panels and presentation abstracts?
In the EM/CA tradition, panels propose a research area for which researchers can gather together to present their research projects on the shared area of interest. Presentations are on specific research projects that can either be presented within a panel or generally.
What should a panel abstract include?
Panel abstracts should (i) describe the area of inquiry and scope of the panel, (ii) how the panel fits within EMCA and/or the conference themes, (iii) the novelty of the panel and thus the contribution to the area of inquiry, and (iv) the kinds of papers you wish to attract to the panel. You do not need to have a list of authors and papers for inclusion.
What should a presentation abstract include?
We generally recommend that abstracts describe the (i) context and rationale for the study, (ii) research aim(s)/question(s), (iii) methods (including the analytic approach and data used), (iv) findings, (v) conclusions and implications. While a description of the data is necessary, an example of transcribed data and the data analysis thereof can be included but is not required. Reference lists are not required.
Submission
How do I submit an abstract?
Next to each call there is a "submission portal" button. The Button will only be active from the call opening date until the closing date. The submission portal for panels is different from the portal for presentations, requiring you to select the specific call button. The link will take you to EXBO Abstracts (with the URL exbo.co.za) where you need to follow the steps to register an account and then submit your application. We unfortunately cannot accept email applications.
What should I do if I encounter a technical challenge?
Site instructions are available.
For technical support please contact interact.hmn@wits.ac.za or catherine.tam@wits.ac.za
Why must I select the most suitable approach when submitting my abstract?
We ask you to select the approach most suited to your study to aid the review process (these include Ethnomethodology; Conversation Analysis; Membership Categorisation Analysis; Interactional Linguistics; Ethnography; Discursive Psychology; Other). Selecting a category can aid organisers in allocation of suitable reviewers to abstracts. The categories selected will not be used to organise the program which will be a dynamic collection of EM/CA work.
Peer Review Process
What is the peer-review process?
A double blind peer-review process will be undertaken by members of the IIEMCA scientific committee and accepted panel organizers. Please do not include identifying information in your abstract and title.
How will I know if my abstract has been accepted or not?
Decisions will be communicated via email and within the EXBO abstract platform in line with the calendar dates listed above.
What are the review criteria?
Reviewers will assess the suitability of the paper for the conference in relation to the field, originality, rigor, quality and alignment with the institute, conference and/or panel themes.