The World and Language Conference will be a space for critical reflection dedicated to the study of languages as structuring elements of human, political and cultural relations, following a sociolinguistic perspective articulated with the field of the social sciences.
While primarily—but not exclusively—focused on the fields of International Relations and Defence Studies, the Conference seeks to examine how linguistic structures contribute to the constitution of sociopolitical phenomena in an era characterized by intense migratory flows, technological transformations, and shifting configurations of power.
The 1st International World and Language Conference is organized under the eponymous Chair, hosted by Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa and the Instituto de Defesa Nacional (National Defense Institute).
Submission deadline
February 28, 2026
Working languages
Portuguese and English
Location
April 8th, 2026
Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa
Palácio dos Condes de Redondo - Rua de Santa Marta nº 56 - 1169-023 Lisboa
9 April 2026
Instituto de Defesa Nacional
Calçada das Necessidades, n.º 5 - 1399-017 Lisboa
10 April 2026
The Open University
Palácio Ceia, Rua da Escola Politécnica, 147, 1269-001 Lisbon
Participation
Face-to-face | Possibility of online participation only for people outside Lisbon.
Conference themes
1. language and international relations
The theme “Language and International Relations” aims to explore how languages determine hierarchies, alliances and tensions between peoples and states.
Suggested Topics (non-exhaustive)
Language as a Power Structure in International Relations
Language, Identity and the Construction of Political Communities
Language and Diplomacy
Geopolitics of Language
Language as an Instrument of International Cooperation
Language as a Vector of Exclusion
Language and Theories of International Relations
Political Economy of Language
Globalization and Linguistic Transformations
2. Language and Defense
The theme “Language and Defense” aims to analyse how language shapes perceptions, legitimizes policies and influences securitization processes.
Communication proposals under this heading should be policy-oriented.
Suggested Topics (non-exhaustive)
Language, Perceptions and Securitization
Discourse, Conflict and Media Representation
Social Networks and Crisis Amplification
Artificial Intelligence and Automatic Narratives
Strategic disinformation
Strategic Communication in Defense Contexts
Ethics, Responsibility and Military Language
Theoretical Perspectives on Language and Defense
3. Language and Society
The theme “Language and Society” aims to examine the central role language plays in shaping social life.
Suggested Topics (non-exhaustive)
Language, Identity and Cultural Diversity
Language Policies: Inclusion and Social Exclusion
Language and Social Power
Language and Public Discourse
Language and Civic Participation
Media, Social Networks and the Circulation of Narratives
Language, Democracy and the Quality of Public Debate
Theoretical Perspectives on Language, Society and Citizenship
Call for papers
This call focuses on the three themes described above.
Contributions should present approaches that make a substantive contribution to advancing knowledge in these areas.
Proposals must include an abstract of no more than 300 words.
Information or questions
Associated publications
A selection of papers will be proposed for publication in the thematic dossier Language and the World”to be included in a future edition of Janus-net - e-journal of International Relations, publication indexed in the database Scopus (Elsevier).
Another selection of papers will be proposed for publication in the journal Nação e Defesa, of the National Defense Institute, Ministry of Defense.
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