ReSSP's Manifesto

Inspired by the atmosphere at the EGG school and Szklarska Poreba Workshop, we would like to create a venue where young linguists can network and be productive, present their work/theoretical puzzles, and feel free to discuss experiences related to academic life. More specifically, our goals for ReSSP are the following:

“Workshop” not just topics in semantics, but ourselves.

The idea is that by having a small group of young academics, away from senior colleagues and supervisors critique, people will be comfortable enough to freely talk about what they are truly passionate and excited about---without the pressure of complying with the specific requirements posed by a call for papers or the expectations of senior researchers.

We think it is crucial for linguists-in-training to gather experience what is like to work as an autonomous researcher. The ReSSP workshop aims to be an event where young researchers can explore new ideas, give and receive feedback and criticism from peers and engage in discussions about any aspects of semantics and linguistics in general. So that everybody’s research is accessible to all attendees, we are currently limiting the researchers to formal semantics and pragmatics.

Create positive associations with giving talks and going to an academic venue.

Our intent is that giving a talk here is more like an extended coffee break with friends, rather than a sweat-inducing, obligatorily 20-minute experience.

Throughout primary and secondary schooling, most people are required to give class presentations and practise public speaking in other ways. While some might have revelled in these experiences, a lot of us have negative associations with public speaking. Giving short talks at conferences, or even smaller workshops, with older, sometimes intimidating, linguists usually does nothing to help. We hope that by hosting a workshop with an unconventional format (and nice people!), we can create new, positive, associations with presenting research, both for ourselves and others.

Get excited about semantics in a calm and beautiful setting.

By renting a casa rural in La Garrotxa, we intend to create an unconventional and casual atmosphere: invited speakers give a talk over a mealtime, our meetings are in the common area, everybody shares a room with one or two others. Attendees can also choose to give a presentation at a location other than the common area; e.g., at a waterfall or lake nearby. In other words, we are interested in accommodating unconventional ideas in the name of linguistics.

Another reason for an off-the-beaten-track location is so that the students can just be students among themselves.

Founders:

• Kata Wohlmuth (UPF: Barcelona)
• Katherine Fraser (UPV/EHU: Vitoria-Gasteiz)