Standing Committee Updates
June 2026 AAALetter
Table of Contents
- AAAL Conference Connections: Building Bridges, Strengthening Community | Juyeon Yoo
- Applied Linguistics in Unsteady Times | Uju Anya & Rima Elabdali
AAAL Conference Connections: Building Bridges, Strengthening Community
Juyeon Yoo, Ball State University
Chair, AAAL Committee on Conference Connections
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and Linguistics, Ball State University
I still remember what it felt like to attend my first academic conference—the mix of excitement and uncertainty, hoping to find my place in a room full of strangers. That feeling is part of what drew me to the Conference Connections Committee, and it is what continues to motivate me in this work. Mentorship, even a single conversation with the right person at the right moment, can make all the difference for someone just beginning their journey in our field.
I joined the committee as a member in 2025–2026, and I am now honored to step into the role of Chair for 2026–2028. I would like to express my gratitude to my predecessor, Dr. Irina Zaykovskaya (University of Minnesota), who generously shared her experience and resources with me as I was learning this role. She led the 2026 program thoughtfully and with dedication, and I am glad to build on the foundation she has laid.
The 2026 AAAL conference brought together 108 mentors and 214 mentees—a ratio we are genuinely proud of, as it allowed for more personalized and meaningful pairings. One change we introduced this year was asking mentors to take the initiative in reaching out to their mentees to schedule meetings, rather than waiting for mentees to make first contact. It may seem like a small shift, but we found that it helped get conversations started more quickly and comfortably, and we look forward to continuing this approach.
A program like this only works because of the people behind it. I want to offer my sincere thanks to Dr. Ji-Young Shin (University of Toronto), Dr. Kevin W. H. Tai (Hong Kong University), Dr. Francis Hult (University of Maryland, Baltimore County), Michol Miller (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa), and Sarah Howard (Oregon State University), our Graduate Student Council representative, for their invaluable contributions this year. I also want to offer a special thank-you to Dr. Anna Mendoza (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and Dr. Irina Zaykovskaya, whose terms on the committee have concluded—their work has shaped this program in meaningful ways.
Looking ahead, I am excited to welcome two new members to the committee: Carlo Cignalia (Florida State University) and Matt Coss (University of Alabama). And to all the mentors and mentees who participated in Conference Connections 2026—thank you for showing up, connecting, and reminding us why this community matters.
Applied Linguistics in Unsteady Times
Uju Anya, Carnegie Mellon University, and Rima Elabdali, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Chair and Vice Chair, AAAL Public Affairs and Engagement Committee (PAEC)
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Are you concerned about trends in global leadership and societies moving more towards isolationism? Are you looking for ways to make applied linguistics research and practice more impactful in all areas relevant to our societies? Are you wondering how to make stronger connections between applied linguists and members of the public? Are you passionate about promoting social justice through applied linguistics? Then we invite you to get involved in the work of AAAL’s Public Affairs and Engagement Committee (PAEC).
What is the PAEC?
PAEC is a standing committee formed in December 2016. It provides “an important means by which AAAL members can bring their collective expertise to bear on issues of social importance and inform public debate by speaking to issues of social and professional relevance” (AAAL Standing Rules). PAEC’s mandate is to engage AAAL in the public domain. As a collective of applied linguists, we support PAEC’s mandates by (1) preparing and proposing position statements, (2) processing position statements submitted by the general membership, (3) recommending endorsement of position statements/resolutions issued by other organizations, (4) organizing an annual public affairs event, and (5) other outreach activities, such as interviews, op-ed pieces, blog posts, social media outreach, and other relevant means of communicating with the public. A Task Force to address the impact of government policies and public crises on AAAL members and our field has recently been convened to be considered a permanent subcommittee of this body.
Who serves on the committee?
Current members of PAEC are Uju Anya (Carnegie Mellon University), Rima El Abdali (University of Tennessee, Knoxville), Youmna Deiri (Texas A&M University), Ari Sherris (Texas A&M University-Kingsville), Ifeoluwa Awopetu (University of Memphis), Sarah Moore (University of Maryland), Keira Ballantyne (Center for Applied Linguistics), and Patricia Duff (University of British Columbia).
Since 2017, PAEC has contributed to creating position statements, endorsing professional organization and congressional statements, participating in advocacy and social justice events at AAAL and TESOL, and building membership in the applied linguistics and social justice listserv. As in previous years, PAEC held its open meeting at the AAAL conference in Chicago in March 2026. PAEC also facilitates the publication and distribution of applied linguistics briefs: short pieces on language-related topics of public interest and importance written in language accessible to a wider readership outside the applied linguistics community. Our most recent briefs are: "Talking about Racism and Race with Children," written by Lyn Wright and Daryl Anderson and “Accents,” written by Tracey Derwing. Visit the AAAL briefs webpage for more information, including access to the published briefs and instructions for authors.
How can you get involved?
This year during our PAEC open meeting in Chicago, the difficult political climate, research funding crisis, and other matters of professional and public concern were discussed. AAAL members are welcome to get in touch with critical issues pertinent to applied linguistics, ideas for projects and initiatives of social concern. For example, you can propose briefs, position statements, or endorsements and work with other scholars/practitioners to create op-ed pieces, blog posts, social media outreach, or webinars relevant to the membership and the public at large. Please feel free to contact Uju Anya or Rima Elabdali with your ideas. We would also like to encourage AAAL members to join the applied linguistics and social justice listserv, an online collaborative space for sharing ideas, resources, publications, and initiatives focused on applied linguistics and social justice.
Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to the committee members who continue to serve on this body. We would also like to welcome our new members and invite others to join us and our work on the AAAL Public Affairs and Engagement Committee. We look forward to collaborating with you to make applied linguistics research more meaningful, relevant, and impactful.