BMRS2023 - Bilingualism Matters Research Symposium 2023

20 & 21 October 2023

Our annual interdisciplinary research conference is on again this year, with a two-day programme packed with the latest bilingualism research. The conference is held at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA and online. Registrations OPEN NOW.

Description

BMRS is an annual interdisciplinary research conference organised by Bilingualism Matters https://www.bilingualism-matters.org/events/bilingualism-matters-research-symposium-2023 . This year’s conference will explore multilingualism from the perspectives of research and practice. Our goal is to promote a space to generate public engagement and learning about diverse issues concerning multilingualism and multilingual communities. We welcome submissions from researchers and practitioners across diverse fields, including linguistics, education, psychology, health, migration, policy, business, and any other related sciences.

BMRS2023 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

  • Dr Debra Titone, McGill University
  • Dr Laura Ascenzi-Moreno, City University of New York
  • Dr Eurydice Bauer, University of South Carolina

BMRS23 PROGRAMME avaialble HERE

REGISTRATIONS OPEN NOW

Admission to BMRS can be paid in GBP or USD. Please follow the links below for further details:

To attend BMRS23 in person, please register HERE (additional information for in-person attendees is available at the bottom of the page)

To attend BMRS23 online, please register HERE

CALL FOR PROPOSALS - CLOSED

Proposals submission link: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=bmrs2023.

Strand Options

There will be two strands for conference proposal submissions. You will identify which strand you wish your proposal to be considered in.

  • The Research Strand will feature presentations presented by academics and aimed at academic audiences. There are four broad categories of topics: 1) Linguistic, developmental, and clinical aspects of bi/multilingualism; 2) Psycholinguistic and neurolinguistic aspects of bi/multilingualism; 3) Sociolinguistic and sociocultural aspects of bi/multilingualism; and 4) Pedagogical aspects of bilingualism.

  • The *Practitioner Strand will feature presentations presented by practitioners or researchers and/or aimed at practitioner audiences. There are four broad categories of topics: A) Bi/multilingualism and languages learning in education; B) Bi/multilingualism and languages learning in health; C) Bi/multilingualism and languages learning in policy; and D) Bi/multilingualism and languages learning in art and culture.

(*The term “practitioner” is meant to include professionals such as teachers, clinicians and those who engage in day-to-day activities of policymaking, health support, and business operations and not research only).

Presentation Formats

The conference will feature two types of presentations: oral presentation (the presenter will deliver a 15-minute oral presentation) or poster (presenters will produce a physical poster to be displayed in the conference venue or a virtual poster for mini-presentations online). Authors will indicate a preference for an oral or poster presentation; however, the Programme Committee reserves the right to decide on the final format.

Proposal submissions are open until June 15th, 2023.

Submission Guidelines for Researchers

  • The abstracts should be written so that the reviewers clearly understand the importance and purpose of the proposed submission. It should be written to generate the interest of your intended audience: research or practice.
  • Proposals need to contain the following sections: title, goals, significance to the field (in research or practice), methodology, findings and conclusions. Please use headings in your proposal.
  • The word limit for proposals is 500 words, excluding tables and references.
  • Figures, tables, examples and references may be uploaded in a separate file. 
  • Proposals must be submitted directly to the Easy Chair online form. They can also be uploaded in a separate PDF file but in this case they MUST NOT contain any names of authors to enable anonymous review process.
  • All proposals must be submitted in English. 

Review Criteria for Academic Proposals

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Originality: Does the topic offer new contributions to the field?
  • Soundness: Are the arguments and importance of the topic sound, clear, and logical? Is the proposal appropriately organized?
  • Social relevance: Is the topic relevant to other academics, practitioners, and/or general audience members? Does the topic align with the conference goals?

Submission Guidelines for Practitioners

  • The proposal should be written so that the reviewers clearly understand the importance and purpose of the proposed submission.
  • Proposals need to contain the following sections: title, goals, description, conclusions or lessons learned, recommendations or justification of the importance for practitioners.
  • Please use headings in your proposal.
  • The word limit for proposals is 500 words, excluding tables and references.
  • Figures, tables, examples and references may be uploaded in a separate file.
  • The proposal must be submitted directly to the Easy Chair online form. They can also be uploaded in a separate PDF file but in this case, they MUST NOT contain any names of authors to enable an anonymous review process.
  • All proposals must be submitted in English.

Review Criteria for Practitioners' Proposals.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Soundness: Are the arguments and importance of the topic sound, clear, and logical? Is the proposal appropriately organized?
  • Social relevance: Is the topic relevant to practitioners, and/or general audience members? Does the topic align with the conference goals?

Instructions for presenters

All presennters are kindly asked to adhere to presentation guidelines. Guidelines for poster (in person) and mini presentation presenters can be found HERE.

Important Dates

Submission deadline: 30th May 2023 / Extended to 15th June 2023

Notification of acceptance: 15th July 2023

Early registrations: 7th June 2023 - July 31th 2023

Regular registration open: 1st August 2023

Registration close: 6th October 2023 (for in-person participation) and 18th October 2023 (for online participation).

Conference date: 20 & 21 October 2023

Important Information

Conference address (in-person): Russell House, 1400 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29208

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EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION (closes 31st July 2023)

VIRTUAL

  • Full fee - $50 / £45
  • Full fee (BM members) - $40 / £35
  • Student - $30 / £25
  • Practitioner - $30 / £25
  • Practitioner (DAY PASS for Sat 21ST Oct´23) - $20

IN-PERSON

  • Full fee - $200 / £180
  • Full fee (BM members) - $180 / £160
  • Student - $100 / £80
  • Practitioner - $100 / £80
  • Practitioner (DAY PASS for Sat 21ST Oct´23) - $60 / £45

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REGULAR REGISTRATION (from 31st July 2023)

VIRTUAL (closes 19th October 2023)

  • Full fee - $90 / £70
  • Full fee (BM members) - $60 / £50
  • Student - $40 / £35
  • Practitioner - $40 / £35
  • Practitioner (DAY PASS for Sat 21ST Oct´23) - $20 / £17

IN PERSON (closes 6th October 2023)

  • Full fee - $250 / £200
  • Full fee (BM members) - $220 / £175
  • Student - $120 / £95
  • Practitioner - $120 / £95
  • Practitioner (DAY PASS for Sat 21ST Oct´23) - $70 / £55

VIRTUAL Discounted group registration for students and practitioners is available, please send an email titled: BMRS GROUP to bmrs@bilingualism-matters.org for more information.

Full and partial bursaries covering BMRS fees only are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Please send an email titled: ‘BMRS Bursary’ to bmrs@bilingualism-matters.org explaining why you should receive a bursary.

Contact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to: bmrs@bilingualism-matters.org.

Information for in-person attendees

HOTELS (UPDATED)

Conference hotel: The Graduate, 1619 Pendleton Street, Columbia, South Carolina, ($215) with the conference discount. Parking is free, and breakfast is not included. Reservation Link: https://www.graduatehotels.com/columbia-sc/#/booking/step-2?group=1479376&arrive=10%2F19%2F2023&depart=10%2F22%2F2023.

Hampton Inn Columbia Northeast-Fort Jackson Area 1551 Barbara Drive, Columbia, SC 29223 ($149), Booking link will be added here in due course (please note that this hotel is ca. 20min drive away from the conference venue).

For other hotel options close to the conference center - Russell House @USC - click here. The closest one is Courtyard by Marriott Columbia Downtown at USC, 630 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29201, 0.33 mile (about $180).

Vista downtown area, 0.75 mile, Many restaurant options close by.

  • Hyatt Place Columbia/Downtown/The Vista, about $180.
  • Cambria Hotel Columbia Downtown the Vista, about $200.

Downtown area, 0.75 mile, about $200. Many restaurant options.

  • Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel
  • Marriott Columbia
  • Holiday Inn Columbia – Downtown, an IHG Hotel.

You may find hotels/motels at a cheaper rate ($70 to 150) in other areas 4 to 8 miles away (West Columbia, Lexington, and Irmo) if you rent/own a car.

Breakfast and coffee:

  • Cool Beans Coffee, 1217 College St, Columbia, SC 29201
  • Panera, in the conference building and in Vista area

Restaurants within walking distance:

Campus area:

  • Green Olive (Mediterranean)
  • Di Prato’s (American)
  • California Dreaming (American)
  • Angell Bros. 1801 Grille (American)
  • Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Alehouse(American)
  • Thirsty Fellow Pizzeria and Pub (American)

Downtown Area:

  • Cantina 76 (American, Mexican)
  • Hampton Street Vineyard (American)

Vista Area:

  • Motor Supply Company Bistro (American, southern)
  • Blue Marlin (traditional southern seafood)
  • Liberty Tap Room & Grill (American, southern)
  • Oyster Bar Columbia
  • LongHorn Steakhouse
  • Grill Marks - COLA (hamburger)
  • Mellow Mushroom (Pizza)
  • M Vista (Asian)
  • 929 Kitchen & Bar (Korean)

Five Points area:

  • Mr. Friendly’s New Southern (American)
  • Pawleys Front Porch (Hamburger)
  • Pho Viet (Vietnamese)
  • Look for other options in downtown, vista, and five points.
  • Grocery store: Publix, Food Lion
  • Drug store: CVS

CONFERENCE DINNER

tbc

AIRPORT

The local airport is Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Information about the airport can be found at the following link: https://flycae.com/ . When booking flights, the abbreviated airport nickname is CAE. It is a small airport.

Car rental services are available at the airport. Please book in advance. https://flycae.com/airport/ground-transportation/ Some hotels offer free shuttle pickup services from and to the airport. Please contact your hotel to confirm if they offer this service.

CONFERENCE SITE LOCATION

The conference is being held at the Russell House at University of South Carolina. The address is: 1400 Greene St, Columbia, SC 29208. More information about the building can be found here: https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/russell_house/about/index.php On the university map below, the building is located at the point of the arrow.

PARKING

For parking, Russell House recommends parking in the Bull Street Garage that is nearby. The address is:: 1400 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208. (See map below)

Street parking is available on the campus as well but typically has a 2-hour maximum time frame. For street parking, you will want to use the free app called “passport.” You would make your payments via the app and will want to reserve your spot via the app every two hours (or whenever your time limit ends).

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

Uber and Lyft are both available options. You will need to download these apps and can check out the prices for your destinations. You can use these services from/to the airport as well as for local transport during your stay. The prices vary based on time of day and available drivers. (Costs to or from airport can range as low as $15 or be as high as 30 for one-way). We recommend you compare both app prices.

Many taxi companies are also available in Columbia. Here is a list of several companies: https://www.yellowpages.com/columbia-sc/taxis

The Comet is a public bus transportation company. Information about prices and routes can be found at this information guide:

https://catchthecometsc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-COMET-Visitors-Travel-Guide.pdf

The Orbit is a downtown loop running every 30 minutes on weekdays from 7:15 a.m.–7:36 p.m. It runs by Sumter, Blossom, Assembly, and Richland Streets with stops by the State House and University of South Carolina. The map, infographic, and stop schedule for The Orbit can be found here.