[CogSci] Update on AMLaP 2020

[Titus von der Malsburg]

The 26th Architectures and Mechanisms for Language Processing
Conference, AMLaP 2020, University of Potsdam, Germany, Sept 3–5, 2020
https://amlap2020.org

Dear colleagues,

I write to inform you about our plans for this year’s AMLaP conference
in Potsdam.  We realize that this is a stressful time for many of you
and that AMLaP is unlikely to be very high on anyone’s list of
priorities.  However, the submission deadline is approaching (April 17)
and some of you might wonder whether AMLaP will take place as planned
given the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.  Several conferences scheduled
for the late summer have already been canceled and we considered doing
the same.  However, the situation is extremely fluid and we find it
impossible to predict what will be the case in almost six months from
now.  We therefore decided that it’s too early to cancel the physical
conference, and we hope that the situation will calm down sufficiently
for the conference to go forward.  We will continue with AMLaP
preparations as planned.  At the same time, we are also working on
several contingency plans for the case that a physical conference cannot
take place in September.  We will inform you about the details of these
plans as needed and in a timely manner.  Obviously we’re closely
watching other conferences that are switching to online formats and
we’ll try to learn as much as possible from them.  (Big shoutout to the
CUNY organizers for their heroic effort to bring CUNY online within just
a matter of days!)  Whatever is going to happen, we’re aiming to bring
you the best possible platform for learning about your colleagues’ work
and for showcasing your own work.

So, for now, we’re moving ahead with the planned schedule: submission
will open on April 1, abstract submission deadline is on April 17,
acceptance notifications on May 31.  The web page will soon be updated
with abstract formatting guidelines.

We expect to decide about the precise format of the conference at the
end of May when the acceptance notifications will be sent out.  Needless
to say, we advise against booking any flights or accommodation before
this decision is announced.

We hope that we can make AMLaP not just happen but that we can make it
fun and inspiring for everyone.  With your contributions and input,
we’re confident the conference can be a success – whatever shape and
form it may take.

Our two satellite events, the First South Asian Forum on the Acquisition
and Processing of Language (SAFAL) and the Fourth Summer School on
Statistical Methods for Linguistics and Psychology (SMLP), will send out
separate announcements soon.

For now, stay healthy and #FlattenTheCurve!

  Titus von der Malsburg

On behalf of the AMLaP 2020 organizing committee:

Chair: Shravan Vasishth
Co-chairs: Isabell Wartenburger, Daniel Schad, Titus von der Malsburg
Members: Yana Arkhipova, Audrey Bürki, Tom Fritzsche, Sandra Hanne, Sol
Lago, Anna Laurinavichyute, Paula Lissón, Daniela Mertzen, Bruno
Nicenboim, Dario Paape, Dorothea Pregla, Garrett Smith, Kate Stone, João
Veríssimo

--
Dr. Titus von der Malsburg
Dept. Linguistics, University of Potsdam
Dept. Brain & Cognitive Sciences, MIT
https://tmalsburg.github.io