Exploring the Science and Technology of Spoken Language Processing
Summary
Sydney, aided by Business Events Sydney (BESydney), is set to host the Interspeech 2026 Conference, the globe’s premier gathering for the science and technology of spoken language processing. The successful bid was led by Associate Professor Michael Proctor from Macquarie University’s Department of Linguistics, in partnership with Associates Professors Beena Ahmed and Vidhya Sethu at the University of New South Wales. Interspeech 2026 will bring together approximately 1,200 participants worldwide, emphasizing interdisciplinary speech science approaches. The initiative aims to spotlight the Australasian multilingual environment and address speech diversity, focusing on under-resourced languages. BESydney, with its extensive experience, played a crucial role in providing support and guidance in securing this event for Sydney.
Astraea’s Insight
Securing Interspeech 2026 for Sydney underscores the importance of collaboration between academic leaders and local conference experts like BESydney. Such partnerships enhance the bidding process and highlight the host city’s unique linguistic and cultural assets. By focusing on the rich diversity of speech and under-resourced languages, the conference aligns with global trends towards inclusive and equitable research agendas. This event not only enhances Sydney’s reputation as a leading hub for academic gatherings but also sets a precedent for utilizing conferences as platforms for regional and linguistic inclusivity in scientific discourse.