Day 2 of the ICLASP18 Conference

The second day of the 18th International Conference on Language and Social Psychology (#ICLASP18) continued with a keynote talk, various sessions, and panels. Scholars from various parts of the world gathered at Tallinn University to explore diverse aspects of language and social psychology.

The day began with the morning keynote session by Distinguished Professor Denise Solomon from The Pennsylvania State University (United States). Professor Solomon delivered an insightful presentation on "A Dynamic Dyadic Systems Perspective on Interpersonal Conversation," setting a high bar for the day's discussions.

Following the keynote session, participants engaged in several concurrent sessions and panels. Sessions focused on discourse analysis, social interactions, and identity representation, featuring discussions on regional populism, the dynamics of discourses, and challenging interactions in public spaces. Sessions also explored themes of social exclusion, identity, and perception, with highlights on the impact of physical conditions on social exclusion, the effects of accent bias, and the development of intercultural sensitivity.

A panel delved into the intersections of privilege, inequality, and intergroup dynamics in language and communication. Presentations examined how framing affects perceptions of privilege and disadvantage, the discourse of privilege, and the use of dominant language by disadvantaged groups.

During lunch, attendees were treated to the IALSP Presidential Address by Professor Marko Dragojevic (University of Kentucky, United States), Incoming President. The afternoon sessions included explorations of perception, discourse, stigma, social impact, language education, multilingualism, and cultural contexts. Another panel continued to address psychological topics, focusing on social sustainability, affect management in healthcare, and interpersonal interactions during job searches in mental health rehabilitation. The day's sessions concluded with discussions on family dynamics, cultural identity, language use in diverse settings, and the social impact of language.

The evening concluded with a heartfelt Celebration of Life for Emeritus Professor Cindy Gallois, convened by Professor Howie Giles (Distinguished Research Professor of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Honorary Professor in the School of Psychology at The University of Queensland, Australia). Attendees honored Professor Gallois's contributions to the field while enjoying light refreshments and engaging in informal discussions.

The conference continues to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration among experts, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in language and social psychology. For more information, visit the official conference website at https://www.tlu.ee/en/bfm/iclasp18.

The text is authored by Dr Anastassia Zabrodskaja, who is a Professor of Intercultural Communication, the Head of the Communication Management master’s programme at Tallinn University Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, and the Executive Director of the European Masters in Intercultural Communication (EMICC) teaching and research network