International Society for Gesture Studies (ISGS) 2025 

We are happy to announce that abstract submission is now open for the 10th Conference of the International Society for Gesture Studies (ISGS), taking place at Radboud University in Nijmegen, The Netherlands in collaboration with Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, from July 9-11 2025. ISGS 2025 will focus on the theme of “Motion to meaning: Innovations in multimodal language research.”

Recent technological advances have launched us into a new era of multimodal language research. Innovations in computer vision, virtual reality, motion capture, eye-tracking, large language models, and robotics hold great promise for quantifying the properties of visual language and uncovering the relationships between motion and meaning across diverse social contexts, languages, speakers, and signers. ISGS 2025 aims to unite researchers from various fields and perspectives who employ traditional and novel approaches to deepen our knowledge about gesture use, sign language, (neuro)processing, acquisition and learning, and social interaction, among others. 

As such, we invite submissions on a wide range of topics and methods related to multimodal language, including but not limited to: 

Submission Guidelines

Abstract Submissions 

Abstract submissions will be considered for talk or poster presentations (according to the author’s preference). Talks are slotted for 20 minutes (15-minute talk + 5-minute Q&A) and can be presented in English or International Sign. Abstracts are limited to 300 words (not including the title, authors, and affiliations). The submission system does not allow figures or uploading of supplemental materials. References are not required. Only one submission per first author is allowed. Abstracts should contain relevant information describing background, methods, results, and a conclusion or summary. It is not required that the sections be explicitly labeled as such. Submissions can include empirical studies or meta-analyses as long as they are related to the topic of multimodal language. 

Symposium Submissions

Symposium submissions must include three (first author) presenters who will propose talks centered around a common theme. Symposium sessions will last one hour and be divided into three 15-minute presentations, followed by a 15-minute Q&A period. Symposium submissions must be submitted from one organizer and include the following:

• Symposium Title

• General symposium abstract (150 words) that describes the overarching theme of the symposium

• Title and abstract for each of the three individual proposed presentations (150 words each)

• Name, affiliation, and email address of each presenter

• A written statement that the three first authors agree to the content and form of the submission and plan to attend the conference in person (not included in the word count)

In the EasyChair submission form, please list the three presenters of each proposed talk as Author 1, Author 2, and Author 3. This will identify the first author of each symposium talk. Additional co-authors should be added starting with Author 4, if applicable. The three individual proposed symposium talk abstracts should be submitted in a single submission form. The Title should be the general title for the entire symposium. In the Abstract box, include the name of the symposium organizer and general symposium abstract (150 words), followed by the title, authors, and abstract for each of the individual proposed talks (150 words, each; please note that the title is not included in the abstract length). Please also see this Symposium Submission Template for details of what to include.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I submit both a symposium talk and an individual abstract as the first author?

We discourage two submissions from the same first author within and across both individual and symposium abstract submissions. Our motivation for this is to represent a larger variety of labs, presenters, and career stages at the conference. For symposium submissions, the first author of each of the three proposed talks should be listed as Author 1, Author 2, and Author 3, respectively, to help identify the first authors of symposia. Additional co-authors can be added starting with Author 4 in any order. There is no limit to how many non-first author submissions one can be involved in. Those who are co-authors of an individual abstract (i.e., Author 2+) or a symposium submission (i.e., Author 4+) are also welcome to submit a first-author abstract.

2. Can an author who is not the first author of a submission present the talk or poster?

It is assumed that in most cases the first author will also be the presenting author. However, in the case that the first author is unable to attend the conference or present the work for any reason at the time of the conference, it is acceptable for another co-author to present on their behalf.

3. How many authors (of an accepted poster of talk) should register for the conference?

Each accepted submission should have a unique conference registration associated with it. For example, if a single lab has three accepted talks or posters, there should be unique registrations for at least three individuals. Our motivation for this is to include as many different presenters and career stages as possible in the talks and posters.

4. Should individual symposium talks be submitted in the same or separate submission forms?

The three individual proposed symposium talk abstracts should be submitted in a single submission form. The first author of each of the three proposed talks should be listed as Author 1, Author 2, and Author 3 (see FAQ #1) under the Author Information section. The Titleshould be the general title for the entire symposium. In the Abstract box, include first the general symposium abstract (150 words), followed by the title and abstract for each of the individual proposed talks (150 words, each; please note that the title is not included in the abstract length). 

Important Dates

• Abstract submission opens: November 1, 2024
• Abstract submission deadline: January 31, 2024
• Notification of decisions: March 2025
• Registration deadline for presenters: April 30, 2025
• Early-bird registration closes: May 31, 2025
• Registration closes: June 15, 2025

Keynote Speakers

• Erica Cartmill (Indiana University)
• Tilbe Göksun (Koç University)
• Johanna Mesch (Stockholm University)
• Lorna Quandt (Gallaudet University)
• Mark Turner (Western Reserve University)

Organizing Committee

• Asli Ozyurek 
• Judith Holler 
• Beyza Sumer
• Sharice Clough 
• Ezgi Mamus 
• Anita Slonimska 
• Hans Rutger Bosker 
• Hasan Dikyuva 
• Patrick Louis Rohrer 
• Linda Drijvers 
• Jonas Noelle 
• Ercenur Unal 
• David Peeters 
• Laura J. Speed
• Maryam Ebrahimi 
• Brigit van Loon 
• Yaren Arabaci
• Patrick Leijzer
• Nicola Rijzewijk
• Susanne Brouwer

Contact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to isgs10conference@gmail.com