CFP: Workshop: Measuring Commitment in Communication

The organizing committee invites submissions of abstracts for a discussion-focused workshop on commitment, with a particular emphasis on experimental approaches to its study. The workshop will take place on 18–19 June 2026 at Radboud University, Nijmegen.

While commitment attribution, negotiation, and avoidance play a central role in communication, its nuances remain difficult to operationalize and measure. The aim of this workshop is to explore how experimental methods - broadly construed - can contribute to and inform theoretical accounts of commitment. The workshop will include invited talks by Benjamin Weissman, Mailin Antomo, Tatjana Scheffler, and Manfred Krifka, alongside contributed presentations.

We welcome abstracts for oral presentation (20 minutes presentation, plus 10 minutes for discussion), related to commitment and experimental methodology, including (but not limited to):
• Experimental studies of commitment in communication
• The pragmatics of commitment attribution and avoidance
• Methodological challenges in operationalizing commitment
Interdisciplinary work drawing on linguistics, philosophy, psychology, or related fields is especially welcome.

For questions regarding submissions or participation, please contact: Harriet Yates ([email protected])

We look forward to receiving your abstracts and welcoming you to Nijmegen in June 2026.

On behalf of the organising committee,
Harriet Yates, Bob van Tiel, Thomas van der Leer, Peter de Swart, and Corien Bary

Submission instructions:

Abstract length: 300–500 words
Format: PDF
Abstracts should clearly state: the research question or theoretical issue addressed, the experimental or methodological approach (where applicable), key findings or expected contributions
Submitted via LinguistList EasyAbs (creating an account is necessary): https://easyabs.linguistlist.org/conference/MCC/