Debating Dynamic Semantics

This two-day conference, hosted by the Saul Kripke Center at the CUNY Graduate Center, will focus on the role and prospects of dynamic semantics in the theory of meaning. The aim is to bring together philosophers and linguists—both supporters and critics of dynamic approaches—to ask whether we need dynamic semantics, discuss the phenomena most strongly motivate it (modals, conditionals, anaphora, presupposition, assertion/retraction, etc.), and how it compares against static or alternative accounts.

Confirmed invited speakers so far include: 

Matt Mandelkern (NYU)

Simon Charlow (Yale)

Karen Lewis (Barnard/Columbia)

Chris Barker (NYU)

Daniel W. Harris (Hunter/CUNY)

Willow Starr (Cornell)

We invite submissions from early-career researchers—advanced PhD students and postdoctoral fellows—on any topic related to dynamic semantics, broadly construed (including critical or revisionary perspectives, continuation-based frameworks, speech-act-theoretic updates, and work on the semantics–pragmatics interface).

Acceptance may be influenced in part by budgetary constraints and we particularly encourage submissions from researchers within reasonable travel distance of New York City.

Please submit your abstract of 500 (min.) to 1,000 (max.) words to: [email protected] 

The deadline is January 31, 2026. 

The conference will take place on April 23rd - April 24th, 2026 at CUNY (Graduate Center).