The ESPSIG (English for Specific Purposes Special Interest Group) and RESIG (Research Special Interest Group) of IATEFL are collaborating to host an online conference on Researching ESP: Approaches and Methods on Saturday 14th November, 2026.
The conference aims are to:
- Share good practice
- Collate ways of researching ESP pedagogy
- Create a space for thinking about ESP and research
- Encourage research collaboration
Registration
The conference fee is £20 for regular attendees and £10 for IATEFL Members.
The conference features presentations from established researchers and emerging practitioners, offering diverse perspectives on current developments in ESP. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with innovative research methodologies, research-informed teaching approaches and theoretical frameworks that address the evolving needs of ESP across various professional and academic contexts.
This collaborative event between ESPSIG and RESIG provides a valuable forum for knowledge exchange, fostering meaningful dialogue about challenges and opportunities in ESP education. Participants will gain insights into contemporary issues, evidence-based practices, and future directions for ESP research and instruction, making this conference an essential gathering for anyone working in ESP.
Keynote speakers
Sin Wang Chong, University of St Andrews
Synthesising Research Evidence for ESP Practice
Professor Sin-Wang Chong is Founding Director of the Centre for International, Language and Teacher Education Research (CILTER), University of St Andrews. In a visiting capacity, he is Professor in Education at King’s College London. He edits three international journals: Research Synthesis in Applied Linguistics, Review of Education, and Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching. Sin-Wang is a top 2% researcher in education since 2023 and a Principal Fellow of AdvanceHE.
Conference Organizers
The conference is organized in collaboration between the English for Specific Purposes Special Interest Group (ESPSIG) and the Research Special Interest Group (RESIG) of IATEFL. The organizing committee consists of Milena Tanasijevic (ESPSIG), Ernesto Vargas (RESIG), Blair Matthews (ESPSIG) and Sonja Przulj (ESPSIG).
For questions, please contact the organizing committee via [email protected].