A full success! - The Next Generation Literacies Conference

29 January 2024

Photo: UHH, Wett/Weber

On 11-12 January 2024, more than 100 researchers and practitioners from around the world gathered in the Lichthof of the old state library in Hamburg to attend the conference “Social Participation in Linguistically Diverse Societies” which was organized by the Faculty as a project of the Next Generation Literacies Network.

Linguistic diversity, referring to multiple languages, language varieties, modalities and registers, is a feature of all contemporary differentiated societies. Institutional structures of dealing with diversity can be similar across countries and have been found to be entrenched deeply in traditions of monolingualism. This mismatch between monolingual institutions and multilingual populations may result in exclusion from full and equal access in society. At the same time, multilingualism can also be an asset and enhance individual wellbeing, cultural development and creativity.

The conference was organised by the Next Generation Literacies network, which has its roots in the strategic partnership between Universität Hamburg, Macquarie University Sydney and Fudan University Shanghai. All three universities boast strong research units on the implications of linguistic diversity for individuals and societies. As a network, Next Generation Literacies promotes research on strategies for dealing with linguistic diversity within and across countries in an interdisciplinary group of established and emerging researchers.

The conference was opened by the Executive Committee of the Next Generation Literacies network, Prof. Claus Krieger (Vice Dean for Research, Graduate Education and Internationalisation of the Faculty of Education, Universität Hamburg), and Courtney Peltzer-Hönicke (Head of Internationalisation, Universität Hamburg). Over two days, network members and others presented their research on the role of language in skills and learning, in familial communication, identity formation, and in mediating access to social goods such as media, health and employment. Keynote lectures were delivered by renowned experts in the field: Prof. em. David Little (Trinity College Dublin) and Prof. em. Joseph Lo Bianco (University of Melbourne).  

The lively discussions and diverse insights that emerged during the conference not only attest to the urgency but also the immense potential of engaging with the topic of linguistic diversity. This inspiring exchange not only underscores the significance of the Next Generation Literacies Network but also highlights the network's sustainable contribution to the discourse on social participation in linguistically diverse societies.