ABOUT CONFERENCE

International Interdisciplinary Research and Arts Symposium

EXPRESSION AND MEANING IN SUPERDIVERSE CONTEXTS

How do we express meaningin a world shaped by growing diversity, complexity and technological change? In 2026, ADLES (Art, Design, Languages, Education and Social Work: Innovations in Theory and Practice) invites researchers, educators, artists and practitioners to explore these questions together in an open, interdisciplinary environment where research meets creative practice.

As an interdisciplinary research and art symposium, ADLES 2026 brings together participants from across Europe and beyond, offering a space for exchanging ideas, testing new approaches and building meaningful connections across the fields of art, design, languages education and social work.

Format and Programme

ADLES 2026 will take place in a hybrid format, combining on-site activities in Kaunas with online participation.

Day 1 (on-site, Kaunas):

   ► Conference plenary session with international speakers

   ► Workshop for researchers: AI and research ethics – a friend or a foe

   ► Scientific-practical discussion Professional well-being in social services

   ► Welcome reception and cultural programme for participants, partners and guests in Kauno kolegija Arts Academy – first art school in Kaunas.

Day 2 (online):

   ► Conference panel sessions featuring research presentation and interdisciplinary discussions

Hosted and organised by: Faculty of Arts and Education, Kauno Kolegija HEI, Kaunas, Lithuania

Partners: University of Tirana, Kaunas City Social Services Centre

► Navigating Care, Justice, and Ethics Across Complex Societies
► Communication and Multilingualism in AI Era
► Artistic Practices as Sites of Encounter in Superdiverse Worlds
► Learning, Inclusion and Knowledge Pluralism
Dr Marijana Prodanovic, Kauno kolegija HEI (chairperson)
Dr Aušra Rimkutė-Ganusauskienė, Kauno kolegija HEI
Dr Ramūnas Čičelis, Kauno kolegija, HEI
Dr Kęstutis Lekeckas, Kauno kolegija HEI
Dr Jeffrey Michael Taylor, Kauno kolegija HEI
Dr Valentina Demidenko, Kauno kolegija HEI
Dr Salomėja Karasevičiūtė, Kauno kolegija HEI
Dr Daniela Hasa, University of Tirana
Dr Esmeralda Kromidha, University of Tirana
Dr Anida Kisi, University of Tirana
Dr Marsela Likaj, University of Tirana
Dr Kristina Sheperi, University of Tirana
Dr Miriam Seghiri, University of Málaga
Dr Maria Begoña Crespo Garcia, University of A Coruña
Dr Ignacio Moreno-Torres, University of Málaga