Exploring the Science and Technology of Spoken Language Processing
Summary
Sydney is preparing to host the Interspeech 2026 Conference, a significant event in the field of speech science and technology. Organized with the support of Business Events Sydney (BESydney), this undertaking highlights successful strategic bidding and planning. Associate Professor Michael Proctor from Macquarie University, along with colleagues from UNSW, played crucial roles in securing this event for Sydney on behalf of the Australasian Speech Science and Technology Association (ASSTA). Interspeech, a renowned global conference, will feature a wide array of sessions and draw about 1,200 participants. The decision to host the conference in Sydney was driven by the desire to emphasize the multicultural and multilingual dynamics of Australasia and to address under-resourced languages, providing a platform for diverse speech research.
Astraea’s Insight
The hosting of the Interspeech 2026 in Sydney represents a unique opportunity to spotlight the region’s linguistic diversity and invigorate research on less-studied languages. This aligns with global scientific goals of inclusivity and representation in research. Astraea would emphasize the strategic value of such conferences in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing local research capabilities, and boosting visibility for local academia and industry on an international stage. Moreover, it underscores the significance of institutional partnerships, as demonstrated by the collaboration between Macquarie University and UNSW, facilitated by BESydney’s expertise. This presents a model for successfully bidding and executing high-impact global conferences that stimulate academic innovation and economic benefits for the host region.