Speakers’ guide

The conference will be held as a hybrid event: some papers will be presented on-site, while others will be presented online. This short guide aims to anticipate any issues that may arise. Please review it in advance and report any shortcomings if necessary.

Online Speakers’ Guide

Accessing the Conference Zoom

Both on-site and online presentations will be broadcasted in a Zoom room (link incoming). Please note that the Zoom chat may be disabled.

In addition to the Zoom room, we will utilize a Discord server. There will be a dedicated channel for each panel. Please use it to engage before, during, and after the presentations. Also, be sure to check for any comments addressed to you. Extended answers can also be provided in the hours/days following your participation. Johan Cuda will moderate the Discord server.

Program

The latest version of the program can be found online, and please note that all times are in Central European Summer Time (UTC+2).

Presenting Your Communication

Each presentation should not exceed 20 minutes in duration, followed by a 10-minute Q&A session. We encourage a constructive and inclusive attitude during this time. The moderator will relay questions from the Discord channel and on-site room to you.

Please ensure that your webcam and microphone are working properly with Zoom before the presentation. Don’t forget to share your PowerPoint when the moderator introduces you.

Feel free to present your communication standing up at home or in your office if you prefer; it can help maintain energy levels during online presentations.

During online presentations, we will use the on-site webcam to show you the room, allowing you to see us as we listen.

If you experience regular problems with your internet connection or online meetings, you may consider recording yourself and sending us the video in advance. We will then broadcast the video and conduct the Q&A session live.

On-site Speakers’ Guide

Getting to Lausanne

By train: Travel to Lausanne station. For timetables and tickets, visit www.cff.ch or use this (very good) app.

By plane: Arrival via Geneva, Zurich, or Basel airports. Direct trains connect with Lausanne at least once an hour from Geneva and Zurich. For train timetables and tickets, visit www.cff.ch.

By car: If you plan to use the highway, remember to purchase the national yearly vignette at the border (40 CHF).

Getting to the Conference Room

From downtown Lausanne, take the M1 metro at Lausanne-Flon and get off at UNIL-Sorge.

The conference will take place in Amphimax building (OSM, Google). It is the main building, in front of you when you walk off the metro station.

The room is on the last floor : Amphimax 414 (please go upstairs and look for the signs).

Giving Your Talk

Each presentation should not exceed 20 minutes in duration, followed by a 10-minute Q&A session. We encourage a constructive and inclusive attitude during this time. The moderator will relay questions from the Discord channel to you.

Due to the Hybrid Setup:

  • Presentations must be delivered standing whenever possible.
    Microphones will be provided.
  • Please send your presentations in advance to Guillaume Guenat (guillaume.guenat@unil.ch) and Pierre-Yves Hurel (pierre-yves.hurel@unil.ch), or bring them on a memory stick. You will need to use the computer already set up in the room. Consider having a PDF version prepared in case of technical issues.

Catering: What is Included or Not

  • Coffee breaks, lunches, dinner on May 2, and the « apéritif dinatoire » on May 3 are included for speakers and the Organizing Committee.
    Coffee breaks will be provided in front of the conference room. Additional items can be obtained from the Amphimax cafeteria.
  • Lunches will be provided by the Amphimax cafeteria, located in the same building as the conference room. You will receive a voucher covering the meal and a drink.
  • Dinner on May 2 will be held at « Le Milan » in downtown Lausanne. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. The menu and one drink are included, with additional drinks at your own expense.
    The « apéritif dinatoire » on May 3 will take place at Le Perchoir on the Vortex rooftop. Three drinks and various snacks (including vegetarian and vegan options) will be available. You may need to supplement this with a meal in town at your own expense. Recommendations can be provided based on your preferences and dietary requirements.
  • Breakfasts are not included. Options include booking a hotel with breakfast, visiting the Coccinelle café for early birds, or having breakfast at the Amphimax cafeteria.

Social activities 

Beside the talks and meals, we would like to invite you to join us for three social activities (at your own expense). 

  • On May 1, in the evening, we will gather in town for a drink at 19:30 at Qwerz Café (rue de la Grotte 3, 1003 Lausanne)
  • On May 2, the conference day ends around 17:00. Then you’ll have three hours to spend before the restaurant. Here are some suggestions:
    • Go southwest (on foot) to observe some Swiss made computers at Bolo Museum 
    • Go southeast (on foot) to enjoy a swim in the lake, play frisbee or volleyball, have a walk. 
    • Go east (metro) to have a drink in downtown Lausanne 
  • On May 4 morning, we will organize a visit of the Swiss Museum of Games in La Tour-de-Peilz (maximum 15 persons). The visit will be free, but the train ticket is at your own expense (~12 CHF). There are possibilities to have a lunch on-site (not taken in charge by organizers either).

Getting Around

Upon checking in at your hotel, remember to ask for your free public transport card (more information here).

If you haven’t obtained a free public transport card for Lausanne’s public transport network, tickets can be purchased at all stops (with change only), except for machines located in main stations. Alternatively, tickets can be bought using the Lausanne public transport mobile app or the Swiss Federal Railways app. The cost of a trip is CHF 3.70 for two zones, 11 and 12 (valid for 1 hour). A day pass (CHF 9.30) is available for unlimited travel in zones 11 and 12.

Staying in Lausanne

We recommend accommodations within walking distance or a short public transport ride from the M1 metro line, which provides access to the University of Lausanne.

A list of hotels offering special rates for University of Lausanne-related events is available here (please check with hotels to ensure prices are up to date). If hotels require it, you can contact the secretariat (secretariat-sli@unil.ch) of the Department of Language and Information Sciences to get the UNIL discount.

The Airbnb options in Lausanne are also worth considering.

There is a youth hostel within a half-hour walk from the conference site, close to the lake (website).

For assistance with accommodation locations, please contact pierre-yves.hurel@unil.ch.

Engaging with Online Participants

A Discord server has been set up for the conference, with a channel for each panel. The goal is to facilitate discussions between on-site and online participants. Please use it to engage before, during, and after the presentations. Be sure to check for any comments addressed to you. Extended answers can also be provided in the hours/days following your participation.

On-site, microphones will be used for posing questions to speakers, ensuring that online participants can hear as well.

What to Do in Lausanne

If you are accompanied by family members or wish to explore Lausanne on your own, consider:

  • Visiting the lake beaches, including « La Plage de Vidy, » a 15-minute walk from the conference site (don’t forget your swimsuit!)
  • Exploring the various attractions in Lausanne (link).
  • Families may enjoy visiting the Aquatis aquarium and the numerous playgrounds throughout the city (link).