CALICO 2026
Language with a Good Heart: Nurturing Human Connections in CALL
July 7 – 11, 2026
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
We invite attendees to explore this year’s theme “Language With a Good Heart: Nurturing Human Connections in CALL,” with a consideration of the evolving landscape of language and technology and the potential of human interactions afforded by technology. Possible thematic topics to be presented, discussed, and contemplated this year include, but are not limited to:
- Showing how human-centered CALL can be designed to prioritize empathy, ethical design & engagement, and meaningful interaction– between elders, educators, and learners with technology.
- Exploring how inclusive technologies and pedagogies can nurture meaningful interactions, celebrate indigenous and community knowledge, and foster cross-cultural collaboration in language learning.
- Highlighting the evolving relationship between language education, cultural knowledge, and technology, with a focus on indigenous and community-led perspectives alongside innovations in empathetic, ethical CALL design.
- Indigenous and Community Voices in CALL (community-led approaches, digital decolonization, and technologies supporting language preservation, revitalization, and documentation).
- Ethics and Equity in Language Technologies (exploring cultural, equitable access, and the role of CALL in bridging (or widening) the digital divide)
We are excited to meet you in Oxford, Ohio at Miami University!
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
GENERAL INFORMATION
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Soroush Sabbaghan
Dr. Soroush Sabbaghan is an Associate Professor and Educational Leader in Residence for Generative AI at the University of Calgary’s Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. His scholarship examines the ethical, pedagogical, and cultural dimensions of artificial intelligence in education, with a focus on teacher agency, AI literacy, and human-centered design. He leads national and international research projects exploring how educators and learners engage with generative AI in K–12 and higher education contexts. Dr. Sabbaghan is the editor of the volume, Navigating Generative AI in Higher Education: Ethical, Theoretical and Practical Perspectives.
Dr. Hunter Thompson Lockwood
Dr. Hunter Thompson Lockwood is a linguist in the Language Research Office at the Myaamia Center at Miami University. Since 2008, he has worked with Algonquian language communities on language documentation and revitalization. He helped create an authoritative, community-driven dictionary of Forest County Potawatomi and went on to write a descriptive grammar of that language for his dissertation. Now, at the Myaamia Center, he is working to apply those same skills to the documentation and reclamation of Miami-Illinois.
About Miami University
Miami University is recognized as one of the best public universities in the country for teaching undergraduates. Experience the magic of what poet Robert Frost described as “the most beautiful campus that ever there was.” We pride ourselves on our groundbreaking research opportunities, classic liberal arts curriculum, outstanding career preparation, and energetic campus vibe. Tucked among our historic buildings are beautiful, state-of-the-art venues designed to host a variety of events. Representing nearly half of all students, the College of Arts and Science (CAS) is Miami University’s largest division and home to a rich and immersive range of majors, co-majors, and minors in the physical/biological sciences, social sciences, and humanities. These programs bolster our students’ critical thinking and communication skills and cultivate their intellect and creativity – characteristics that are highly desired by all sorts of employers. We welcome you to experience and enjoy our campus as you attend CALICO 2026!
About the Town of Oxford, Ohio
Welcome! Oxford, Ohio, is the proud home of Miami University and one of America’s Best College Towns! We have the vibrancy of a large city and the charm of a small town. We hope you enjoy our community as much as we do. Recently cited by Midwestern Traveler Magazine as 2024 Best U.S. College Town, our community has close to 7,000 year-round residents. During the school year, Oxford is vibrant with nearly 20,000 Miami University students! Surrounded by miles of generational family farms, Oxford boasts an award-winning farmers market (every Saturday), miles of hiking trails, numerous parks, a thriving arts scene, and unique shops and restaurants.
Organizing Committee
Conference Organizer and Administration
Ms. Esther Horn, Texas State University – San Marcos
Conference Chairs
Dr. Greg Kessler, Ohio University
Dr. Tricia Thrasher, IMMERSE
Local Host
Mr. Daniel Meyers, Miami University
Technology Coordinator
Dr. Robin Couture-Matte – Université TÉLUQ, Canada