Conference topic and thematic lines

In times like the present, marked by controversy, public and private polarization, and large-scale public debate, reflective discussions on the scope and limits of language to name and describe reality are also on the rise. In such discussions, words themselves become a ‘battleground’ and a source of controversy—or, conversely, potential spaces for consensus and social convergence. These exercises in linguistic and social reflexivity take many forms, ranging from the critiques by journalists, politicians, and linguists of the warlike language that dominated the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic (e.g., the #ReframeCovid initiative)¹, to institutional initiatives aimed at defining terms applicable to new social problems, as well as everyday practices of discourse critique and reformulation carried out by social communicators and ordinary citizens (e.g., criticism of euphemistic or masking expressions; initiatives to rename sensitive realities and socially vulnerable groups; etc.).

In the realm of these metalinguistic debates, metaphor and other forms of figurative language often occupy a very prominent place. This is due, among other factors, to their capacity to encapsulate evaluations and emotions, and to project the pragmatic intentions of those who choose and use them. This potential explains the recent interest in our field in—for example—the deliberate use of metaphor^2,3 and in resistance to certain metaphors⁴. In both directions, metaphor becomes an object of social reflexivity⁵, that is, of individual or collective reflection on what it means to propose understanding some realities in terms of others.

Within this framework, the 18th Researching and Applying Metaphor Conference (RaAM 18) will especially—but not exclusively—encourage proposals that explore the following thematic lines. All of them promote the study of metaphor, metonymy and figurative language from a situated and socially oriented perspective, in line with the guiding principles of RaAM. Moreover, alongside the usual critical perspectives on the (il)legitimate uses of language, the conference will also foster debates on the constructive potential of metaphor as a tool for mediation and for promoting and respecting pluralism in society.

Along with these thematic strands, all basic and applied research on metaphor, metonymy and figurative language traditionally featured in the association’s conferences and seminars will also be welcome.

Plenary speakers

OTHER PLENARY SESSIONS
 

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
 

The pre-conference workshops will be held in the afternoon of 1 June 2027. Expressions of interest from anyone wishing to organize one of them may be sent until January 6, 2027. Please follow the proposal guidelines to prepare your submission for a pre-conference workshop.

Proposal guidelines and submissions

MAIN TOPIC AND THEMATIC LINES
 

The topic of the 18th Researching and Applying Metaphor Conference (RaAM 18) is “Metaphor, controversies, and mediation”.

Within this framework, the conference will especially—but not exclusively—encourage proposals that explore the following thematic lines.

• Metaphor and evaluation; metaphor and argumentation
• Metaphor and manipulation; metaphor and mediation; (in)visibilization of realities through metaphor
• Metaphor and euphemism
• Conscious uses of metaphor; deliberate metaphor theory
• Resistance to metaphor
• Metaphor in potentially polarized debates: climate change; pandemic(s); war contexts; migration; discrimination based on gender, race, or age; AI and scientific advancements
• Metaphor within institutional initiatives (glossaries and legal terminology)
• Metaphor and social activism
• Role of linguists in social debates about metaphors

PARTICIPATION FORMATS IN RaAM 18
 

RaAM 18 will be held as an in-person event. Online presentations cannot be accepted. However, the plenary sessions will be livestreamed. Instructions on how to access the livestreams will be provided at a later date.

CONFERENCE LANGUAGES
 

The official languages of the conference are English and Spanish, so proposals may be submitted in either language.
 

IMPORTANT DATES
 

Registration

The registration period will open on February 1, 2027.

Registrations and the corresponding payments will be accepted until May 15, 2027. Anyone who has not registered by this date will not be included in the conference program.

Important note: Only those attending the conference in person are required to register and pay the corresponding registration fees. However, certificates of oral and poster presentations, which will be issued and sent electronically to all participants after the conference, will include the names of all the original authors of the presented work.

Registration fees

A limited number of RaAM event bursaries will be awarded to selected participants to help cover the costs of attending the conference. Please refer to the proposal guidelines for information on how to apply for one of these bursaries.

Local Organizing Committee

Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra (Spain)

The Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) is a research center in Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Navarra that develops interdisciplinary projects to understand the human being and to respond to the global challenges of society. In the 2025/2026 academic year, the ICS comprised 83 researchers from 17 disciplines and 21 nationalities.

Contact and Venue