We are excited to share the call for papers for the 2026 edition of the Kentucky Foreign Language Conference! If you have any questions, please reach out to the conference executive committee.

KFLC 2026 – Call for Papers

April 16–18, 2026 | University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

The Kentucky Foreign Language Conference (KFLC) invites submissions for papers and panels for its 2026 edition. This year’s conference will be hybrid, with virtual panels on Thursday, April 16 and in-person sessions on Friday and Saturday, April 17–18.

We welcome scholarly work across our many disciplinary tracks, including:
Arabic and Islamic Studies · Classics · Eurovision Studies · French and Francophone Studies · German-Austrian-Swiss · Hebrew and Jewish Studies · Hispanic Linguistics · Indigenous Studies · Intercultural Studies · Italian Studies · Language Studies for the Professions · Linguistics · Lusophone Studies · Neo-Latin Studies · Russian and Slavic Studies · Scandinavian and Nordic Studies · Second Language Acquisition · Spanish American and Peninsular Studies · Studies of Global Asias · Translation Studies · Undergraduate Studies

Submission deadline: November 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST

Individual abstracts should not exceed 250 words. Pre-organized Panel proposals (4–5 participants) must include a brief description, organizer details, and participant information. Undergraduate submissions require a faculty recommendation.

All presenters must register by March 3, 2026 to appear in the program.

For more information, please see our General CFP here.

Some tracks have elected to offer further submission guidance in track-specific CFPs, available here:

Hispanic Linguistics CFP:

• All topics in Hispanic Linguistics should be submitted under the "Hispanic Linguistics" track. Those on topics related to History and Change should indicate so clearly at the top of their abstract.
• General Hispanic Linguistics
• Hispanic Linguistics: History and Change

Hispanic Studies: Medieval CFP

Intercultural Studies CFP

Neo-Latin Studies CFP

Russian and Slavic Studies CFP

Translation Studies CFP

Undergraduate Studies CFP

Please feel free to submit abstract's pertaining to any of our many tracks:

Arabic and Islamic Studies

Eurovision Studies

French and Francophone Studies

German-Austrian-Swiss Studies

Hebrew and Jewish Studies

Hispanic Linguistics:

• All topics in Hispanic Linguistics should be submitted under the "Hispanic Linguistics" track. Those on topics related to History and Change should indicate so clearly at the top of their abstract.
• General Hispanic Linguistics
• Hispanic Linguistics: History and Change

Hispanic Studies: Medieval

Hispanic Studies: Peninsular

Hispanic Studies: Spanish American

Indigenous Studies

Intercultural Studies

Italian Studies

Languages for the Professions

General Linguistics

Lusophone Studies

Neo-Latin Studies

Russian and Slavic Studies

Scandinavian and Nordic Studies

Second Language Acquisition

Studies of Global Asias

Translation Studies

Undergraduate Studies

**Submissions to Undergraduate Studies must include a 200-word abstract submitted by the presenting student and a recommendation from a faculty member. Both should be submitted directly to the KFLC abstract submission portal. 

CONFERENCE DIRECTOR

Haralambos Symeonidis
Department of Hispanic Studies, University of Kentucky

Assistant Director
Hayden Holman
Department of Hispanic Studies, University of Kentucky

Conference email: kflc.admin@uky.edu 

ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES
Ghadir Zannoun 
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: ghadir.zannoun@uky.edu 

Aiyub Palmer
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: aiyub.palmer@uky.edu

CLASSICAL STUDIES (Ancient Mediterranean Classics)
James H. Brusuelas
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: james.brusuelas@uky.edu

EUROVISION STUDIES
Juan Fernández Cantero
Department of Hispanic Studies, University of Kentucky
Email: juan.fernandez@uky.edu

FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES 
Leon Sachs
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: leon.sachs@uky.edu 

GERMAN-AUSTRIAN-SWISS STUDIES
Rebeccah Dawson
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: bessdawson@uky.edu

Harald Höbusch
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: hhoebu@uky.edu

HEBREW AND JEWISH STUDIES 
Martin Luther Chan
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: martinluther@uky.edu

HISPANIC LINGUISTICS
Fabiola Fernández-Doig
Department of Hispanic Studies, University of Kentucky
Email: fabiola.fernandez@uky.edu

Lamar Graham (History and Change)
Department of Romance Studies, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Email: lagraham@email.unc.edu

HISPANIC STUDIES: MEDIEVAL
Isidro Rivera
Department of Spanish and Portuguese, University of Kansas
Email: ijrivera@ku.edu  

Christina Ivers
Department of Modern Languages, University of Dallas
Email: civers@udallas.edu 

HISPANIC STUDIES: PENINSULAR 
Moisés R. Castillo
Department of Hispanic Studies, University of Kentucky
Email: moises.castillo@uky.edu

HISPANIC STUDIES: SPANISH AMERICAN
Francesca Dennstedt
Department of Hispanic Studies, University of Kentucky
Email: francesca.dennstedt@uky.edu

Matt Losada
Department of Hispanic Studies, University of Kentucky
Email: mattlosada@uky.edu

INDIGENOUS STUDIES
Rusty Barrett
Department of Linguistics, University of Kentucky
Email: erbarr2@email.uky.edu

INTERCULTURAL STUDIES
Paul Chandler
Department of Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas, University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Email: cpaul@hawaii.edu

Renata Seredynska
School of Education, The University of Nottingham
Email: renata.seredynska@nottingham.ac.uk

ITALIAN STUDIES
Matteo Benassi
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: matteo.benassi@uky.edu

Ioana Raluca Larco
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
 Email: ioana.larco@uky.edu

LANGUAGES FOR THE PROFESSIONS
Ozge Yalciner
College of Education, University of Kentucky
Email: ozge.yalciner@uky.edu

LINGUISTICS
Rusty Barrett
Department of Linguistics, University of Kentucky
Email: erbarr2@email.uky.edu

LUSOPHONE STUDIES
Paul Chandler
Department of Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas, University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Email: cpaul@hawaii.edu

NEO-LATIN STUDIES 
Laura Manning
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: Lamanning@uky.edu

Jennifer Tunberg
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: jmtunb2@uky.edu

RUSSIAN AND SLAVIC STUDIES
Molly Blasing
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: mtblasing@uky.edu

SCANDINAVIAN AND NORDIC STUDIES
Brenna Reinhart Byrd
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: brennabyrd@uky.edu

F. Tyler Sergent
Berea College
Email: sergentf@berea.edu

SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
Rusty Barrett
Department of Linguistics, University of Kentucky
Email: erbarr2@email.uky.edu

STUDIES OF GLOBAL ASIAS
Doug Slaymaker
Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Kentucky
Email: dslaym@uky.edu 

TRANSLATION STUDIES
Gabriel González Núñez
University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley
Email: gabriel.gonzaleznunez@utrgv.edu 

Maria Postigo
Department of Modern Languages, Ohio University
Email: postigo@ohio.edu

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Abraham Prades
Department of Language and International Studies, Georgetown College
Email: abraham_prades@georgetowncollege.edu  

HOTEL INFORMATION

We plan to offer special group rates at two great local hotels, the Hilton in downtown Lexington and the Springhill Suites.

· HILTON (369 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507)

· SPRINGHILL SUITES (863 S Broadway, Lexington, KY 40504)

MAP

Getting to Lexington is easy. For those wishing to drive, I-64 (east-west) and I-75 (north-south) run just along the outskirts of town. Additionally, a network of parkways crisscrosses the state, supplementing the interstate system and making travel across the rather long state much more manageable.

For those wishing to fly, Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport (LEX – please see www.bluegrassairport.com), located in close proximity to the university and to downtown hotels, offers numerous flights per day, many direct to large southeastern cities like Atlanta, Memphis, and Charlotte. Lexington is also only 81 miles south of Cincinnati (CVG) and 74 miles east of Louisville (SDF), so flying into these larger airports is also a feasible possibility.

Getting around Lexington is pretty easy, too. If you do not have a car during your visit, the city's bus system, LexTran (http://lextran.com/). Taxis as well as Uber and Lyft are also available.

There are two parking lots available adjacent to the Gatton Student Center, where conference check-in takes place. One is a surface lot accessible off of Avenue of Champions, and the other is the Cornerstone Garage, accessible off of Limestone St. There is a charge of $2/hour in either location.

DINING

See the list below for some of our best eateries.

On-campus Options

This map shows some economical on-campus dining options.

Upscale Dining

Carson's Food and Drink
American
362 E Main St. 
859.246.0999
Lunch and dinner

Dudley's
259 West Short Street, Suite 125
859.252.1010
Lunch and dinner

Le Deauville
French
199 North Limestone
859.246.0999
Mon-Sat 5:30pm - 10:30pm

Saul Good
123 N. Broadway
859.309.3901
Mon.-Sat. 5pm to 11pm

Casual Dining

Alfalfa's Restaurant
Feeding vegetarians and carnivores alike with innovative and eclectic homemade eats for over 35 years!
141 E. Main St
859.253.0014
Mon.-Tues. 8am-2pm; Wed.-Thurs. 8am-2pm, 5:30pm-9pm; Fri. 8am-2pm, 5:30pm-10pm; Sat. 9am-2pm, 5:30pm-10pm; Sun. 9am-2pm

Charlie Brown's
Pub food
816 Euclid Ave, 1-859-269-5701

Cheapside
859.254.0046
Mon.-Fri.11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-12am; Sat. 11am-2pm, 5pm-12am; Sun. 11am-2pm
131 Cheapside

Courtyard Deli (lunch only)
859.252.3354
Weekdays 11am-2pm
113 Cheapside

Doodle’s
“Comfort Food with a Conscience”
262 North Limestone (at the corner of 3rd and Limestone)
859.317.8507
Tues.-Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Closed Mon.

Grey Goose
Italian
170 Jefferson Street
859.233.1500

Stella's
Deli
143 Jefferson Street
859.255.3354
Mon.-Tues. 10:30 am – 4:00 pm; Wed.- Fri. 10:30 am – 9:00 pm; Sat. and Sun. Brunch 10:30 - 1:00 PM; Sat. and Sun. Regular Menu 10:30 am – 4:00 pm

Wine + Market
486 W Second St
859.225.0755
Mon-Sat. 10-8

Casual Dining around UK

Han Woo Ri
Korean
371 S Limestone, Lexington, KY 40508
Open 11am-2pm, 5pm-8pm Monday-Saturday

The Local Taco
Mexican
315 S Limestone, Lexington, KY 40508

Coffee

Third Street Stuff
257 N. Limestone
859.255.5301
Mon.-Sat. 6:30a.m. - 11:00p.m.; Sun. 8:00a.m. - 11:00p.m.
http://thirdststuff.com/

Old School Coffee
380 S Mill St. Lexington, KY 
859.255.5301
Mon.-Fri. 7:00am - 7:00pm.; Weekends 8:00am - 5:00pm
www.oldschoolcoffeelex.com/

Starbucks
325 West Main Street
859.977.0525
Sun.-Thurs. 5:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 5:30a.m.-10:00p.m.
http://www.starbucks.com/store/13648/

ATTRACTIONS

A few attractions around town:

Ann Tower Gallery

The gallery is centrally located in the heart of downtown Lexington. Housed in the beautifully renovated Downtown Arts Center, the gallery faces Main Street and is comprised of two exhibition spaces. The Main Floor Gallery features group exhibitions, showcasing various media and also displays our varied selection of regional folk art. The Second Floor Gallery showcases one person exhibitions.http://www.anntowergallery.com/

The Arboretum

The Arboretum began in 1991 and is continuing to boast 100 acres of year-round color and plants. Stresses melt away among the 100 acres of marvelous sights and sounds of our gardens. In the heart of Lexington, The Arboretum is easily accessable from any location in town. Once you are there, you feel like you have escaped to a paradise. It is a delightful surprise to visitors from around the world and even in our own city. Young and older alike enjoy year-round activities for the entire family.http://www.ca.uky.edu/arboretum/

Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

The magnificent two-story brick house is the centerpiece of the Henry Clay estate. Its status as a National Historic Landmark reflects the prominence of the great statesman who developed this beautiful property and resided here for more than forty years. The museum is open to the public for tours every March thru December, and is closed January and February. For more information, contact the Henry Clay Estate at 859-266-8581 or visit www.henryclay.org.

Buster's Billiards and Backroom

Buster's is finding new life in the Lexington Distillery District – an area of former bourbon distilleries and warehouses that is being revitalized and transformed into an entertainment destination. Buster's has given the owners the opportunity to combine their favorite billiards hall with something Lexington has needed for a long time – a mid-sized music venue. The space is divided between a billiards lounge, which seeks to carry-on the Buster’s vibe, and the Backroom, a state-of-the-art concert hall. The ability to host regional and national musical acts, and to provide a venue for art and performances of all types, adds dimension and excitement to Lexington’s thriving arts scene, and gives Lexingtonians the opportunity to keep their entertainment dollars local. Buster’s Billiards & Backroom is proud to be a part of the Lexington Distillery District, which celebrates Kentucky’s heritage and culture, and hopes to contribute to the fabric of that culture for years to come. http://www.bustersbb.com/

Central Public Library Gallery

Located on the first floor of the Central Library on Main Street, the Central Library Gallery includes exhibits ranging from fine art to educational subject matter. Six to seven exhibits are scheduled each year, typically lasting six to eight weeks in length. Exhibits have included local, national and international artists. Central Library Gallery hours are Sunday, 1pm to 5pm, Monday through Thursday, 9am to 9pm and Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm. For more information, call 859-231-5559 or visit www.lexpublib.org

Guided Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Lexington

Learn about the history of Downtown Lexington as reflected in its historic commercial buildings, churches and homes. Tour includes Victorian Square, Lexington Opera House, Lexington History Museum, Henry Clay's Law Office, Cheapside Park, Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, Patterson Cabin, Transylvania University and the Homes of Gratz Park. Walk with history! Tours are offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 10am, and by appointment, year round (weather permitting), and last approximately 90 minutes. $15 per adult and $8 per child. Reservations are required for all tours. Tour begins and ends at Starbucks cafe, on the corner of Broadway Ave. and Main St. A portion of the tour fee will be donated to the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation, an organization that promotes education and advocacy of preservation of the historic build environment in Lexington and surrounding counties. For more information or to make reservations, call 859-321-5897 or visit www.lexwalkingtour.com

Keeneland

Keeneland is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and sales complex in Lexington. Operated by the Keeneland Association, Inc., it is also known for its reference library on the sport, which contains more than 10,000 volumes, an extensive videocassette collection, and a substantial assemblage of photo negatives and newspaper clippings.

In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Keeneland was ranked #1 of the top ten tracks. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a national historic landmark in 1986. http://www.keeneland.com/default.aspx

Kentucky Horse Park

The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm and an educational theme park opened in 1978. The equestrian facility is a 1,224-acre (4.95 km2) park dedicated to "man's relationship with the horse." Open to the public, the Park has a twice daily Parade of Breeds, showcasing both common and rare horses from across the globe. The horses are ridden in authentic costume. Each year the park is host to a number of special events and horse shows.  http://kyhorsepark.com/

The Kentucky Theatre

The oldest and only operating movie theatre in Downtown Lexington, The Kentucky Theatre is a familiar Landmark to generations of Lexingtonians. It's richly ornamented walls and glowing stained glass fixtures have hosted gala events and entertained overflowing crowds since the 1920's. They have also endured hard times and disasters, both natural and manmade. And so it stands today, a true palace of memories, a hall full of comedy, tragedy, drama, adventure, and just plain fun. The Kentucky Theatre is popular not only for it's convenient location but for it's magnificent architectural significance. Multiple movie titles are shown weekly, along with midnight showings on the weekends of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and other classics. During the summer, the Kentucky Theatre hosts a series of classic movies shown weekly at discount prices. For a complete history and photo gallery, show listings and ticket prices, contact the Kentucky theatre at 859-231-7924 or visit www.kentuckytheatre.com.

Lexington History Museum

The Lexington History Museum is a 501 (c)3 Not for Profit orgainization. The Lexington History Museum engages all people in the discovery and interpretation of the history of Lexington, Ky., and the Bluegrass Region.  Incorporated  in 2000, the Lexington History Museum, Inc. opened in the former Fayette County Courthouse in October 2003 in a partnership with the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government.  http://lexhistory.org/

Lexington Opera House

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Lexington Opera House is known as one of the premiere performing arts centers in the region. Programming at the Opera House offers something for everyone: ballet, opera, children’s productions, family shows, comedy, music and professional national Broadway tours! http://www.lexingtonoperahouse.com/

University of Kentucky Art Museum

The Art Museum at the University of Kentucky is Lexington’s premier art museum with a collection of over 4000 objects including European and American paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, and decorative arts by artists ranging from Old Masters to Contemporary, as well as a selection of non-Western art. Featured artists include Alexander Calder, Thomas Gainsborough, Louise Nevelson, and Louis Comfort Tiffany, among others. The Museum also offers a full schedule of outstanding traveling exhibitions. The UK Art Museum is located on the UK Campus at the corner of Rose Street & Euclid Avenue, and is open to the public Tue - Sun: 12pm - 5pm & Fri: 12pm - 8pm. For more information, contact the UK Art Museum at 859-257-5716 or visit www.uky.edu/ArtMuseum