About the Conference

Conference: Nordic Intercultural Communication Conference 2020: Changing regional identities and intercultural communication

Date: 26-28 November 2020

Venue: Veröld – House of Vigdís, University of Iceland

Potential themes could include:

1. A geographically growing and/or changing Nordic region
2. Mobility and cultural encounters within the Nordic countries
3. Multiple Nordic identities (fx West Nordic, Nordic-British, Nordic Arctic, Nordic-Baltic etc)
4. Identity politics and discourses about “Norden”, changing power dynamics and political relations
5. Minority and majority languages in a Nordic context
6. Communication across the Nordic region, Scandinavian languages and collaborations
7. Language sustainability
8. Intercultural communication through literature – including children´s literature

Contributions from seasoned scholars as well as from students and practitioners interested in the various aspects of culture and communication are encouraged.

Members of the Conference Committee:

• Auður Hauksdóttir, Professor in Danish at the University of Iceland – auhau@hi.is
• Ann-Sofie Gremaud, Assistant Professor in Danish at the University of Iceland – gremaud@hi.is
• Kristín Ingvarsdóttir, Assistant Professor in Japanese at the University of Iceland – kristini@hi.is
• Ingibjörg Ágústsdóttir, Associate Professor in British Literature at the University of Iceland – ingibjoa@hi.is

Call for Papers

A conference on Changing regional identities and intercultural communication will be held at the University of Iceland 26-28 November 2020, as part of the network Nordic Intercultural Communication (NIC).

The NIC 2020 conference will discuss regional identities and intercultural communication from various standpoints, such as:

1. A geographically growing and/or changing Nordic region
2. Mobility and cultural encounters within the Nordic countries
3. Multiple Nordic identities (fx West Nordic, Nordic-British, Nordic Arctic, Nordic-Baltic etc)
4. Identity politics and discourses about “Norden”, changing power dynamics and political relations
5. Minority and majority languages in a Nordic context
6. Communication across the Nordic region, Scandinavian languages and collaborations
7. Language sustainability
8. Intercultural communication through literature – including children´s literature

Contributions from seasoned scholars as well as from students and practitioners interested in the various aspects of culture and communication are encouraged.

Other topics and themes related to intercultural communication are also welcome.

Please send by end of 3 August:

• Full name
• Job title
• Affiliation/Institution
• Contact information (Email address and phone number)
• Title + abstract in English or Scandinavian language (max 400 words)
• Send your proposal in a Word document to: info@vigdis.is / Subject: NIC Proposal

Note that applicants can send individual entries or apply for a panel with up to 5 participants.

SPECIAL COVID-19 MEASURES

Due to the international travel situation caused by Covid-19 the conference date will be re-evaluated in mid-August, 2020.

If the conference must be postponed due to travel restrictions a new date will be announced after mid-August.

NOTE: We highly recommend that no flight tickets are purchased until the conference date is confirmed in August.

Fees and Registration

Early bird registration
25.000 ISK    Regular Participant
12.500 ISK  Student Participant

Regular registration
30.000 ISK    Regular Participant
15.000 ISK  Student Participant

The Icelandic Krona rates compared against other currencies can be checked here

Note that more information regarding payment deadlines will be announced after mid-August, 2020.

Keynote Speakers

To be confirmed.

3 August, 2020    Deadline for abstract submission (Please mail to:  infovigdis@hi.is, with the subject line: NIC Proposal)

Mid-August, 2020    Conference date re-evaluated due to the international travel situation caused by Covid-19.

To be confirmed        Draft Program / Registration / Practical Details

To be confirmed         Final Program / Practical Details

To be confirmed        Last Circular Letter

26-28 November, 2020      Conference Dates

Program

To be confirmed

A chair will be assigned to each session or panel at the conference. His/her role will be to introduce the speakers, keep track of time and assist with technical support. Every speaker has 25 min at his/her disposal, 20 min for the presentation and 5 for questions and answers.

Venue

The conference will be held in Veröld – hús Vigdísar • Brynjólfsgata 1 (corner with Suðurgata) • 107 Reykjavík
Coordinates: 64.140001, -21.952594 or 64°08’24.0″N 21°57’09.3″W.  This is in walking distance from many hotels and accommodation options in downtown and west Reykjavík.

Closest bus-stops are Háskólabíó, Hótel Saga and, somewhat further away, Háskóli Íslands or Hagatorg.
The Building is connected with the main buildings of the university campus via a tunnel to the Háskólatorg building.

Accommodation

Tourism in Iceland has grown immensely and moderately-priced lodging is quick to fill up. We encourage conference participants to book accommodation as early as possible to avoid high prices and limited availability. Websites such as Booking.com and Airbnb.com will provide information about a range of accommodation possibilities. For more information about hotels and other types of lodging in Reykjavik, see HERE.

Travel

Keflavík International Airport (KEF), the main airport in Iceland, is located 40 kilometers from Reykjavík, the capital city. Over 20 airlines offer flights to and from Iceland through the airport. For information about flights to Iceland, see HERE.

Transportation to Reykjavík from the airport is available by bus, Flybus or taxi, see HERE. 

The only public transportation in Reykjavík is the bus system, commonly called Stræto. See their website for information about fares, timetable, and a route planner, HERE.

The two main taxi companies in Reykjavík are Hreyfill, tel. +354 588 55 22 see HERE and Taxi BSR, tel. +354- 56 10000, see HERE. When calling for a taxi you can expect it to arrive within 10 minutes.

For a map of the University of Iceland see HERE.

WIFI

The Internet can be accessed through Eduroam on the University premises.

Money

The official currency in Iceland is ISK (Icelandic krona). Recognised credit/debit cards are accepted in all restaurants, shops, hotels and cash machines. For the official exchange rate of ISK towards major currencies, see HERE.

Language 

The native language in Iceland is Icelandic, but English is widely used.

Excursion / Tour

To be confirmed.