An interdisciplinary and international research network

The aim of the research network Workshop on Multilingualism is to approach multilingualism from different viewpoints in order to identify common interfaces. The network gathers distinguished researchers of multilingualism from different disciplines in order to create a joint frame of reference and a shared research agenda for multilingualism. The network is based on collaboration, which has included four expert seminars, that was carried out between 2015–2017. The topics of the different seminars were: 1. Language needs, June 2015 2. Professional multilingualism, January 2016 3. Policy and practice, November 2016 4. Time for a shared research agenda on multilingualism, May 2017 The researchers in the network represent several countries and almost 20 universities/research institutions. They have done research on multilingualism within the fields of linguistics (such as second language research, sociolinguistics, terminology), education, sociology, communication, social science and business science. Besides the four seminars, the network has produced a video where participants in this network describe what multilingualism means to them, both professionally and personally. (with English subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVxFNd73VWA&feature=youtu.be Swedish subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT-2gA9dSQs&feature=youtu.be Finnish subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT-2gA9dSQs&feature=youtu.be) The network has also disseminated postcards that highlight central aspects of successful multilingualism. The network’s next project is to release a special issue on multilingualism in society, organizations and education, in an international scientific journal during 2019. This project was initiated with a joint writing workshop in Stockholm, January 2018. Within the framework of Workshop on Multilingualism, the researchers at Åbo Akademi University are actively developing theories on multilingualism, for example dominant language constellations (DLCs) on individual, societal and organizational level. On e.g. the individual level the use of DLCs makes it is possible to identify languages that are most expedient for a person to meet all needs in his/her multilingual environment.