Experiments in Linguistic Meaning 4

Call for Papers: Experiments in Linguistic Meaning (ELM) 4

June 10-12 2026, University of Pennsylvania

Organizers: Paloma Jeretič, Anna Papafragou, and Florian Schwarz

Email: [email protected]

We are excited to announce the fourth Experiments in Linguistic Meaning (ELM) conference to be hosted by the University of Pennsylvania on June 10-12, 2026. The conference is dedicated to the experimental study of linguistic meaning broadly construed, with a focus on theoretical issues in semantics and pragmatics, their interplay with other components of the grammar, their relation to language processing and acquisition, as well as their connections to human cognition and computation. We aim to include representation of linguistic, psychological, logical, philosophical, social, developmental, computational, as well as cross-linguistic and cross-cultural perspectives.

Invited speakers:

Jennifer Culbertson, University of Edinburgh

Ellen Lau, University of Maryland

Kyle Rawlins, Johns Hopkins University

Invited Online Symposium on Modality in language and cognition:

Nicolò Cesana-Arlotti, Yale University
WooJin Chung, Seoul National University
Valentine Hacquard, University of Maryland

The experimental study of meaning in language draws on a broad spectrum of disciplines, topics, and methodologies, and ELM reflects this diversity in its scope. The biennial ELM conference aims to foster the interdisciplinary study of meaning, and to provide a home for a community of scholars that might not meet and interact with each other with regularity in other contexts. We encourage researchers from around the world to submit their recent work to ELM 4, and to attend in order to discuss the latest theories and data in the cognitive science of meaning broadly construed.

The University of Pennsylvania is home to a vibrant interdisciplinary community that studies language and meaning across several departments. ELM acknowledges support from mindCORE, Penn’s hub for the integrative study of the mind; Penn’s Department of Linguistics; and the University Research Foundation.

Format: After successful hybrid ELM 2 and 3, we will continue in the same format, namely:

·         start out with an online-only day (with on-site gathering options for in person attendees already there) on June 10, 

·         followed by two in person presentation days (June 11-12) (with hybrid audience participation option). 
Note: Desired presentation format (with a commitment to either online or in person) will have to be indicated at time of submission (this applies to consideration for both talks and posters/short presentations)

Abstract Submissions via OpenReview, due December 10, 2025 (11:59pm EST)

The conference will feature both 20-minute talks and posters/short presentations. Abstracts must be anonymous and written in English. They should use US Letter size paper and 1 inch margins on all four sides. Abstracts must be single-spaced, and written using Arial 11pt font. Abstracts should be at most 2 pages, including the main text of the abstract, figures, and any supplementary materials and references the authors wish to include. Authors should avoid identifying information in the abstract, especially when referring to their own prior work. The abstract must be submitted as a single PDF file and must include a title at the top. Abstracts violating these requirements may be rejected without further consideration.
Note: If you do not already have an OpenReview account, be sure to register and get your account approved/activated well before the deadline, as this can take a few days.

Timeline:

November 10, 2025:   ELM abstract submissions opens on OpenReview
https://openreview.net/group?id=elm-conference.net/ELM/2026/Conference

December 10, 2025 (11:59pm EST):     Abstract submission deadline

Feb 1, 2026:                                                      Acceptance Notifications