*** 2026 NARNiHS Research Incubator *** North American Research Network in Historical Sociolinguistics *** 8th edition *** 07-09 May 2026 -- entirely online!
==> Abstract Submission Deadline ==> 23 March 2026, 11:59 PM (U.S. Eastern Time) The 2026 NARNiHS Research Incubator is an entirely online event (**with free registration**). This event offers an opportunity for scholars in historical sociolinguistics from all over the world to participate in discussions of cutting-edge research without the limitations imposed by international travel. We encourage our fellow historical sociolinguists and scholars from related fields in our global scholarly community to join us online for our Research Incubator this spring.
Abstract submission deadline: 23 March 2026, 11:59 PM (U.S. Eastern Time)
Abstract submission online: https://easyabs.linguistlist.org/submit/2026_Incubator/
The North American Research Network in Historical Sociolinguistics (NARNiHS) is accepting abstracts for its 2026 NARNiHS Research Incubator. The 8th edition of this inclusive NARNiHS event seeks to provide a collaborative environment where presenters bring work that is in-progress, exploratory, proof-of-concept, prototyping. The Incubator's audience actively participates in workshopping these new ideas, brainstorming along with the presenters to forge scholarly paths and develop research solutions. We see the NARNiHS Research Incubator as a place for testing and pushing boundaries; developing new theories, methods, models, and tools in historical sociolinguistics; seeking feedback from peers; and engaging in productive assessment of fledgling ideas and nascent projects.
NARNiHS welcomes papers in all areas of historical sociolinguistics, which is understood as the application/development of sociolinguistic theories, methods, and models for the study of historical language variation and change over time, or more broadly, the study of the interaction of language and society in historical periods and from historical perspectives. Thus, a wide range of linguistic areas, subdisciplines, and methodologies easily find their place within the field, and we encourage submission of abstracts that reflect this broad scope.
Successful abstracts for this research incubator environment will demonstrate thorough grounding in historical sociolinguistics, scientific rigor in the formulation of research questions, and promise for rich discussion of ideas. Abstracts should be explicit about which theoretical frameworks, methodological protocols, and analytical strategies are being applied or critiqued. Data sources and examples should be sufficiently (if briefly) presented, so as to allow reviewers a full understanding of the scope and claims of the research. Please note that the connection of your research to the field of historical sociolinguistics should be explicitly outlined in your abstract. Abstracts should not exceed one page (not including examples and references, see below). Failure to adhere to these criteria will likely result in rejection.
We are soliciting abstracts for 25-minute presentations. Presenters will have the entire 25 minutes for their presentations, with discussion happening in the "incubation session" at the end of each panel. Presentations will be grouped into thematic panels of three presentations, each panel followed by an hour-long discussion with the audience led by specialists, creating a brainstorming/workshopping environment that encourages maximum exchange of ideas. Discussion will encompass specific feedback on the individual papers as well as consideration of overarching questions of theory, methods, and models emerging from the papers. To facilitate such discussion, authors will be required to submit a draft of their presentation materials for distribution to the panel discussants and to the other presenters a few days prior to the start of the conference.
Abstracts will be accepted until Monday, 23 March 2026 -- late abstracts will not be considered.
*** Abstract Content Requirements: 1) Abstracts should be explicit about which theoretical frameworks, methodological protocols, and analytical strategies are being applied or critiqued. 2) Data sources and examples should be sufficiently (if briefly) presented, so as to allow reviewers a full understanding of the scope and claims of the research. 3) The connection of your research to the field of historical sociolinguistics should be explicitly outlined.
*** Abstract Format Guidelines: 1) Abstracts must be submitted in PDF format. 2) Abstracts must fit on one standard 8.5×11 inch or A4 page, with margins no smaller than 1 inch / 2.5 cm and a font style and size no smaller than Times New Roman 12-point. All additional content (visualizations, trees, tables, figures, captions, examples, and references) must fit on a single (1) additional page. No exceptions to these requirements are allowed; abstracts exceeding these limits will be rejected without review. 3) Anonymize your abstract. We realize that sometimes complete anonymity is not attainable, but there is a difference between the nature of the research creating an inability to anonymize and careless non-anonymizing (in citations, references, file names, etc.). Be sure to anonymize your PDF file (you may do so in Adobe Acrobat Reader by clicking on "File", then "Properties", removing your name if it appears in the "Author" line of the "Description" tab, and re-saving the file before submission). Do not use your name when saving your PDF (e.g. Smith_Abstract.pdf); file names will not be automatically anonymized by the EasyAbs system. Rather, use non-identifying information in your file name (e.g. HistSoc4Lyfe.pdf). Your name should only appear in the online form accompanying your abstract submission. Papers that are not sufficiently anonymized wherever possible will be rejected without review.
*** General Conference Requirements: 1) Abstracts must be submitted electronically, using the following link: https://easyabs.linguistlist.org/submit/2026_Incubator/ 2) Papers must be delivered as projected in the abstract or represent bona fide developments of the same research. 3) Authors are expected to virtually attend the conference and present their own papers. 4) Presentations will be delivered via Zoom. Technical details and instructions regarding the platform will be sent to authors in due time.
Please contact us at NARNiHistSoc@gmail.com with any questions.