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Programme

Join us in Zagreb, Croatia
11-13 September, 2026

The conference programme may change, so please check back for updates.

There is still time to apply for a poster presentation:
Call for Papers →
Programme

Thursday, 10 September

19:00 – 20:00

DI Space for deaf interpreters only!

Venue:
Zagreb Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Google Maps →


2 minutes walking from the conference hotel

Friday, 11 September

efsli Day

9:30

Welcome, opening and icebreakers

efsli staff & board

10:30

Coffee break

10:50

Where and who can graduate as a sign language interpreter in Europe?

Combining a CIUTI survey on university curricula with efsli insights on Deaf interpreter trajectories

Charlotte Berthier (efsli) &
Bart Defrancq (CIUTI)

12:20

Networking lunch

14:00

Accreditation and recognition of deaf interpreters and translators

Christian Rathmann

16:00

The road ahead: efsli’s vision and priorities for sign language interpreting in Europe

efsli staff & board

17:00

Guided social tour

HDPZJ

20:00 – 23:00

Social evening with appetizers


For social ticket holders only!

Venue:
Zagreb Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Google Maps →


2 minutes walking from the conference hotel

Saturday, 12 September

efsli Conference and Gala evening

9:00

Welcome & Recap / Introducing topic

9:15

Keynote speaker

Maya de Wit

10:15

Coffee break + poster presentation

11:00

Fragmentation to professionalization:
Credentials, Associations and Sustainability in Italian Sign Language Interpreting

Genny Brusegan Conte & Francesca Malaspina

11:40

From Experience to Credentials:
an Exploration of a Complex Transition for Trainee Interpreters and Translations in the United Kingdom

Paul Michaels

12:10

Between Experience and Academia:
Building a Semi-Formal Certification Model in the Absence of University Interpreter Education – The Croatian Case

Dorijana Kavčić

12:50

Lunch + poster presentation

14:10

Professionalisation in Flanders:
Stakeholders' perspectives on a professional register and continuous professional development

Elke Poullet

14:10

Finding the Scenic Route:
Alternative Pathways for Deaf Interpreters

Naomi Sheneman

15:30

Coffee break  + poster presentation

16:20

Workshop 1:
An exploration of how AI can be utilised in interpreter education and throughout interpreting careers to support the journey from experience to credentials

Tom Mould

Workshop 2:
Exploring the Roles of Deaf Mediators, Interpreters and Translators: Practice, Boundaries and Professional Training

Christian Rathmann

17:30

Closing remarks
si-zagsi-sh-zagsi-ballroom-w-20554-21381-Wide-Hor

Gala evening

12 September, 20:00

The gala evening will take place at the same conference venue, the Sheraton Zagreb Hotel. The theme for the evening is Night in Blue.

Night in Blue 🌙

Blue is the colour of our host – Zagreb! We invite you to bring out your finest blue dresses, suits, or accessories – from royal blue to the shade of the Zagreb sky at dusk!
Get your ticket ⟢
Why blue for this year’s gala evening?
Blue is the colour of our host – Zagreb! From the legendary trams to the city flag, blue pulses through the streets of Zagreb. By choosing this colour, we want to pay tribute to the city that has opened its doors to us.
 
But blue holds a special place in Deaf culture, too. Across Croatia, parties and social gatherings organised by Deaf clubs have long been named after colours – and blue belongs to Zagreb. The tradition of colour-named nights – Plava noć in Zagreb, Bijela noć in Split and Rijeka, Zelena noć in Pula and Žuta noć in Karlovac – is a cherished part of our community's social life. Choosing blue for our gala evening is therefore a natural and heartfelt connection to this tradition.
 
Blue represents reliability, integrity, and clarity – values that unite us across languages and cultures as one strong professional family.
 
We invite you to bring out your finest blue dresses, suits, or accessories – from royal blue to the shade of the Zagreb sky at dusk!
 

Sunday, 13 September

efsli Conference

9:00

Welcome & Recap

9:10

Temporal, Spatial, and Cultural Adaptability:
A Community Engagement Model for Students and Professional Interpreters

Sherry Shaw & Eva Sacherer

9:50

Bridging Education and Practice:
Exploring Experience-Based Learning in Early-Career Sign Language Interpreting

Mark Berry

10:30

Coffee break

11:00

Doing and Mediating Trust in Interpreter-Mediated Communication

Dina Zander-Tabbert & Jemina Napier

11:40

Evidence-Based Interpreter Education for VRS

Camilla Warnicke

12:30

Closing remarks

12:45

Closing ceremony
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