Call for papers

The 7th International ESP Conference

ESP in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Innovation, Interdisciplinarity, and Global Perspectives

Université Amadou Mahtar Mbow, Dakar, Senegal

9-11 April 2026

The International ESP Teachers’ Association (IESPTA) is delighted to announce the 7th International ESP Conference which will be hosted by Université Amadou Mahtar Mbow in Dakar, Senegal on April, 9-11.

In today’s rapidly evolving academic and professional landscapes, English for Specific Purposes (ESP) plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between language learning and real-world application. This conference seeks to bring together researchers, educators, and practitioners to explore innovative approaches, collaborative practices, and impactful research that are shaping the teaching and learning of ESP across disciplines.

While the conference invites contributions on all aspects of English for Specific Purposes, particular attention will be given to innovations in pedagogy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies on ESP teaching and learning.

Submissions are invited on, but not limited to, the following topics:

  • Innovations in ESP pedagogy and curriculum development
  • ESP Curriculum Design: Aligning Language, Skills, and Professional Competence
  • Assessment and evaluation in ESP
  • Teacher Training, Professional Development, and Capacity Building in ESP
  • Interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspectives in ESP teaching
  • ESP and professional communication in diverse contexts
  • ESP in African, multilingual, and global contexts
  • The transformative role of AI and digital technologies in ESP today
  • ESP and the Future of Work: Adapting to Emerging Professional Realities

Presentation Formats

  • Paper Presentations (20 minutes + 10 minutes Q&A)
  • Workshops (interactive, 60 minutes)
  • Posters (research in progress or innovative projects)
  • Panels/Roundtables (thematic discussions, 90 minutes)

Abstract Submission Guidelines

  • Abstracts should be 250–300 words, clearly stating the research question/objective, methodology (if applicable), and main findings/arguments.
  • Include 3–5 keywords.
  • Indicate the preferred presentation format (paper, workshop, poster, panel).
  • Submissions should be in English.

Publishing

Outstanding papers, which go through a rigorous peer-review process, will be considered for publication. This will be done in collaboration with a prestigious academic publisher. This opportunity reflects the conference’s commitment to disseminating high-quality research to a wider scholarly community. Authors whose papers are selected for publication will not be subject to any additional charges. For reference, papers published from previous editions of the conference can be accessed in the Resources section

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