First and foremost, we are deeply saddened to convey the news of the passing of Emanuel “Manny” Schegloff, a pioneer in the field of conversation analysis. John Heritage, a close colleague, shared the heartbreaking news, stating, “It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Manny Schegloff has died. He was an intellectual giant and a dear colleague who leaves an extraordinary legacy of scholarship.” Though a few weeks have passed, Manny Schegloff’s loss continues to be deeply felt within the academic community, as his contributions have reshaped scholars’ understanding of human interaction, reflecting his unwavering dedication to advancing language and social interaction studies.
In honour of Manny Schegloff’s memory and influence, we are currently preparing a special issue of the newsletter to celebrate his life and contributions. In the meantime, for this spring issue of the ISCA newsletter, we are pleased to present a number of very interesting contributions.
Designing conversations for the digital age: a collaboration between Conversation Analysts and Conversational AI Engineers
Adam Brandt, Spencer Hazel, and Kleopatra Sideridou from Newcastle University, UK, embark on an insightful journey into the intersection of Conversation Analysis (CA) and Conversational AI Engineering. They carefully dissect the theoretical and methodological intricacies arising from the surge of AI-powered conversational technologies, reevaluating conventional notions such as ‘intersubjectivity’ and ‘interaction’ within the realm of human-machine engagement. Through thorough analysis and real-world examples, they elucidate the integration of CA principles into the design and development of AI-driven conversational systems, offering insights into their functionality and limitations. This interdisciplinary exploration provides a nuanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities inherent in the evolving relationship between humans and technology. Read more…
Conference Report: GAL Research School
Explore the highlights of the GAL Research School “Interaction Research in the Context of Methodological and Technical Innovation,” held at the Leibniz Institute for German Language (IDS) in Mannheim. Organized by PhD students Jowita Rogowska and Helena Budde, this event brought together junior researchers to enhance their methodological skills and engage with innovative approaches. Keynotes by experts like Lorenza Mondada and Rebecca Clift, practical workshops, and data sessions provided valuable insights into conversation analysis and interaction research. Discover the challenges and solutions discussed, the hands-on experience with transcription software, and the networking opportunities that made this research school a success. Read the full report here.
Report on the inaugural LASI-AC Conference 2023
Learn about the key moments from the inaugural LASI-AC 2023 conference, which brought together international scholars in Hanoi, Vietnam, to explore Conversation Analysis (CA) in Asian contexts. Hosted by ULIS-VNU and VietCA, this event featured pre-conference workshops, interactive panels, keynote presentations, and numerous individual presentations. Key topics included language use in everyday interactions, workplace communication, and language learning. The conference also marked the first in-person meeting of VietCA members and fostered connections with other CA groups in Asia. Following the success of LASI-AC 2023, a seminar on CA and Membership Categorization Analysis (MCA) further advanced research efforts in Vietnam. Read the full report here.
Podcasts
New State of Talk podcast: Interview with Jörg Bergmann and Susanne Günthner
In our newest episode of State of Talk, Sophia Fiedler has a chat with two pioneers of EMCA in Germany, Susanne Günthner (University of Münster) and Jörg Bergmann (University of Bielefeld). Over the course of the interview, they talk about their personal histories with EMCA, how the discipline came to and became established within Germany, and where they see the future of the field.
Announcements
Membership fee increase
The ISCA Board has unanimously decided to increase membership fees starting this year. The previous fees were originally set in 2010 and are low in comparison with similar associations. The increases are as follows:
- Lifetime: $400 to 800 (US dollars)
- Regular: $50 to 80
- Retired: $20 to 40
- Student: $20 to 30
- Unemployed: $20 to 30
- Special: $10 to 15
What you get with your annual membership are discounts to ICCA and other ISCA-sponsored events, access to the Schegloff lectures, access to the Jefferson index of the Sacks lectures, and more to come.