Maartje De Meulder 🟥
@mdemeulder.bsky.social
phenomenal woman 🦹🏻♀️| deaf 🤟🏼| cyborg 🤖| friendly troublemaker 😈| <Dr/ 👩🏻💻| she/her 👩🏻🌾| | language, disability, and tech | views my own
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Deaf Technologies 2026 - International Conference on Deaf Technologies - Deaf Tech Conference 2026
Deaf Technologies 2026 - International Conference on Deaf Technologies. May 26-27, 2026 in Vienna, Austria.
www.deaftech26.eu
Save the date! 📣 First International DeafTech conference, May 26-27, 2026, Vienna. www.deaftech26.eu
More information on deaf technologies, ticket system, call for papers, and why you should join the #deaftech2026 conference! youtu.be/KFCYmGPobqo
Deaf Tech Conference 2026 - FAQ
YouTube video by Deaf Tech Conference 2026
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 3:02 PM
More information on deaf technologies, ticket system, call for papers, and why you should join the #deaftech2026 conference! youtu.be/KFCYmGPobqo
Reposted by Maartje De Meulder 🟥
We had our first Professor Deaf #drDeaf workshop with 22 Deaf mid/senior career academics having a dialogue across sessions on career stages, academic administration, running research centers, mentoring and more.
October 5, 2025 at 6:23 PM
We had our first Professor Deaf #drDeaf workshop with 22 Deaf mid/senior career academics having a dialogue across sessions on career stages, academic administration, running research centers, mentoring and more.
Save the date! 📣 First International DeafTech conference, May 26-27, 2026, Vienna. www.deaftech26.eu
Deaf Technologies 2026 - International Conference on Deaf Technologies - Deaf Tech Conference 2026
Deaf Technologies 2026 - International Conference on Deaf Technologies. May 26-27, 2026 in Vienna, Austria.
www.deaftech26.eu
October 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Save the date! 📣 First International DeafTech conference, May 26-27, 2026, Vienna. www.deaftech26.eu
New paper! We tested AR glasses for Video Relay Interpreting (VRI). Interpreters preferred AR VRI over VRI; deaf users saw future potential but said current tech isn't good enough. Real-world unscripted testing gave different results than lab experiments.
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
User Acceptance of Augmented Remote Sign Language Interpreting | Adjunct Proceedings of the 25th ACM International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents
dl.acm.org
September 30, 2025 at 3:40 PM
New paper! We tested AR glasses for Video Relay Interpreting (VRI). Interpreters preferred AR VRI over VRI; deaf users saw future potential but said current tech isn't good enough. Real-world unscripted testing gave different results than lab experiments.
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
With this questionnaire @karogebruers.bsky.social, Deborah Giustini and I are exploring the impact of AI language technologies on VGT/NGT-Dutch interpreters & notetakers in Belgium (Flanders) and the Netherlands. If you are among the target group, do participate! forms.cloud.microsoft/e/MVGHn45Pa7
Microsoft Forms
forms.cloud.microsoft
September 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM
With this questionnaire @karogebruers.bsky.social, Deborah Giustini and I are exploring the impact of AI language technologies on VGT/NGT-Dutch interpreters & notetakers in Belgium (Flanders) and the Netherlands. If you are among the target group, do participate! forms.cloud.microsoft/e/MVGHn45Pa7
Impressive group of deaf scholars! gallaudet.edu/deaf-studies...
Meet this year’s Deaf Studies Incubator Fellows | Deaf Studies | Gallaudet University
What do you get when you put four Deaf scholars from around the world together in a historic house for a year? The Deaf Studies Incubator. The
gallaudet.edu
September 29, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Impressive group of deaf scholars! gallaudet.edu/deaf-studies...
Reposted by Maartje De Meulder 🟥
🚨 #SLE2026 Workshop alert! 🚨
How do Large Language Models reshape linguistics? 🧠🤖
Join the debate about LLMs' impact on linguistic theory, methods and human language! Osnabrück 26-29 August 2026.
#LLM #linguistics
Full text of our workshop proposal:
societaslinguistica.eu/sle2026/wp-c...
How do Large Language Models reshape linguistics? 🧠🤖
Join the debate about LLMs' impact on linguistic theory, methods and human language! Osnabrück 26-29 August 2026.
#LLM #linguistics
Full text of our workshop proposal:
societaslinguistica.eu/sle2026/wp-c...
societaslinguistica.eu
September 21, 2025 at 9:06 AM
🚨 #SLE2026 Workshop alert! 🚨
How do Large Language Models reshape linguistics? 🧠🤖
Join the debate about LLMs' impact on linguistic theory, methods and human language! Osnabrück 26-29 August 2026.
#LLM #linguistics
Full text of our workshop proposal:
societaslinguistica.eu/sle2026/wp-c...
How do Large Language Models reshape linguistics? 🧠🤖
Join the debate about LLMs' impact on linguistic theory, methods and human language! Osnabrück 26-29 August 2026.
#LLM #linguistics
Full text of our workshop proposal:
societaslinguistica.eu/sle2026/wp-c...
Reposted by Maartje De Meulder 🟥
Hearing families should stop being told not to use sign language with their deaf children, deaf academic Dr Kate Rowley has said, with there being “no evidence” it impacts speech or literacy.
‘No evidence’ BSL harms speech or literacy, as researchers stress benefits of early access
Hearing families should stop being told not to use sign language with their deaf children, deaf academic Dr Kate Rowley has said, with there being “no evidence” it impacts speech or literacy.
liamodell.com
July 19, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Hearing families should stop being told not to use sign language with their deaf children, deaf academic Dr Kate Rowley has said, with there being “no evidence” it impacts speech or literacy.
Reposted by Maartje De Meulder 🟥
A new study shared at the British Deaf Association's (BDA) annual conference in Leeds has concluded that investing in British Sign Language (BSL) for deaf children is "likely cost-effective", returning £4 to the economy for every £1 spent.
Early years sign language access for deaf children ‘likely cost-effective’, study finds
A new study shared at the British Deaf Association's (BDA) annual conference in Leeds has concluded that investing in British Sign Language (BSL) for deaf children is "likely cost-effective", returning £4 to the economy for every £1 spent.
liamodell.com
July 19, 2025 at 11:38 AM
A new study shared at the British Deaf Association's (BDA) annual conference in Leeds has concluded that investing in British Sign Language (BSL) for deaf children is "likely cost-effective", returning £4 to the economy for every £1 spent.
Thanks to @liamodell.com for covering my presentation on the ethics of the development and use of sign language technologies at the BDA conference in Leeds. And thanks to @bda.org.uk for the invitation! The UK has given me a lot as a deaf scholar over the years - happy to give back in return.
Dr Maartje De Meulder, a deaf researcher focussing on the ethics surrounding sign language technologies, has called on the deaf community to "speak out" and be "assertive" around artificial intelligence using British Sign Language (BSL), as use of the technology increases.
Deaf scholar calls for community to be ‘assertive’ amid rise in AI BSL technology
Dr Maartje De Meulder, a deaf researcher focussing on the ethics surrounding sign language technologies, has called on the deaf community to "speak out" and be "assertive" around artificial intelligence using British Sign Language (BSL), as use of the technology increases.
liamodell.com
July 18, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Thanks to @liamodell.com for covering my presentation on the ethics of the development and use of sign language technologies at the BDA conference in Leeds. And thanks to @bda.org.uk for the invitation! The UK has given me a lot as a deaf scholar over the years - happy to give back in return.
Reposted by Maartje De Meulder 🟥
De Meulder's keynote address yesterday at #ICED2025 deeply reinvigorated me. It felt good to see such a powerful talk, one that accurately deciphers our needs as Deaf people and the vital importance of Deaf academic spaces! Thank you again!
My keynote presentation at #ICED2025 yesterday was about the critical importance of deaf academic spaces, presenting #DrDeaf as an example, and the values they entail for broader deaf educational environments.
Preprint of the paper: lnkd.in/ecx4bM-D
Full keynote presentation: lnkd.in/eE7qrkhY
Preprint of the paper: lnkd.in/ecx4bM-D
Full keynote presentation: lnkd.in/eE7qrkhY
July 9, 2025 at 9:38 PM
De Meulder's keynote address yesterday at #ICED2025 deeply reinvigorated me. It felt good to see such a powerful talk, one that accurately deciphers our needs as Deaf people and the vital importance of Deaf academic spaces! Thank you again!
My keynote presentation at #ICED2025 yesterday was about the critical importance of deaf academic spaces, presenting #DrDeaf as an example, and the values they entail for broader deaf educational environments.
Preprint of the paper: lnkd.in/ecx4bM-D
Full keynote presentation: lnkd.in/eE7qrkhY
Preprint of the paper: lnkd.in/ecx4bM-D
Full keynote presentation: lnkd.in/eE7qrkhY
July 9, 2025 at 9:15 AM
My keynote presentation at #ICED2025 yesterday was about the critical importance of deaf academic spaces, presenting #DrDeaf as an example, and the values they entail for broader deaf educational environments.
Preprint of the paper: lnkd.in/ecx4bM-D
Full keynote presentation: lnkd.in/eE7qrkhY
Preprint of the paper: lnkd.in/ecx4bM-D
Full keynote presentation: lnkd.in/eE7qrkhY
First conference stop this summer: ICED in Rome, the premier international conference on deaf education. It’s my 3rd ICED, after Maastricht (2005) and Vancouver (2010). Among the approx. 600 participants are 130 deaf participants, including many presenters. Great to see this deaf space at ICED.
July 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
First conference stop this summer: ICED in Rome, the premier international conference on deaf education. It’s my 3rd ICED, after Maastricht (2005) and Vancouver (2010). Among the approx. 600 participants are 130 deaf participants, including many presenters. Great to see this deaf space at ICED.
Reposted by Maartje De Meulder 🟥
I see the "we cured deafness" injection is making the rounds in the UK now. Let's discuss 🧵
July 5, 2025 at 6:18 PM
I see the "we cured deafness" injection is making the rounds in the UK now. Let's discuss 🧵
Reposted by Maartje De Meulder 🟥
Here's a thread about a virtual conference that's actually accessible. How? Because it was designed and executed by disabled people who care about access and know what it takes to build meaningful community. Take notes. 1/11
June 24, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Here's a thread about a virtual conference that's actually accessible. How? Because it was designed and executed by disabled people who care about access and know what it takes to build meaningful community. Take notes. 1/11
Reposted by Maartje De Meulder 🟥
The events run parallel and take place in Ål, Norway from 7-12 December 2025.
There will be joint lectures and activities between the two events, including our now infamous winter afternoon sauna and ice-bathing wellness activity!
(We pre-cut the hole in the ice, no worries! 🤣)
#drDeaf
There will be joint lectures and activities between the two events, including our now infamous winter afternoon sauna and ice-bathing wellness activity!
(We pre-cut the hole in the ice, no worries! 🤣)
#drDeaf
June 24, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The events run parallel and take place in Ål, Norway from 7-12 December 2025.
There will be joint lectures and activities between the two events, including our now infamous winter afternoon sauna and ice-bathing wellness activity!
(We pre-cut the hole in the ice, no worries! 🤣)
#drDeaf
There will be joint lectures and activities between the two events, including our now infamous winter afternoon sauna and ice-bathing wellness activity!
(We pre-cut the hole in the ice, no worries! 🤣)
#drDeaf
Reposted by Maartje De Meulder 🟥
The Dr Deaf Winter 2025 Workshops are open! #drDeaf
👉 Phd Deaf for those in or considering a Phd. Join a cohort and make connections that will support you in your doctoral journey!
👉Writing Retreat. Write that academic paper in a deaf-centered space!
Register at forms.office.com/e/HLfrV76SXU
👉 Phd Deaf for those in or considering a Phd. Join a cohort and make connections that will support you in your doctoral journey!
👉Writing Retreat. Write that academic paper in a deaf-centered space!
Register at forms.office.com/e/HLfrV76SXU
Microsoft Forms
forms.office.com
June 24, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The Dr Deaf Winter 2025 Workshops are open! #drDeaf
👉 Phd Deaf for those in or considering a Phd. Join a cohort and make connections that will support you in your doctoral journey!
👉Writing Retreat. Write that academic paper in a deaf-centered space!
Register at forms.office.com/e/HLfrV76SXU
👉 Phd Deaf for those in or considering a Phd. Join a cohort and make connections that will support you in your doctoral journey!
👉Writing Retreat. Write that academic paper in a deaf-centered space!
Register at forms.office.com/e/HLfrV76SXU
Reposted by Maartje De Meulder 🟥
When a chatbot gets something wrong, it’s not because it made an error. It’s because on that roll of the dice, it happened to string together a group of words that, when read by a human, represents something false. But it was working entirely as designed. It was supposed to make a sentence & it did.
June 19, 2025 at 11:28 AM
When a chatbot gets something wrong, it’s not because it made an error. It’s because on that roll of the dice, it happened to string together a group of words that, when read by a human, represents something false. But it was working entirely as designed. It was supposed to make a sentence & it did.
Reposted by Maartje De Meulder 🟥
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
June 19, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
I just heard there will be at least 130 deaf participants at the next ICED conference in Rome. I went to two before, and I think there were never that many.
June 17, 2025 at 9:54 AM
I just heard there will be at least 130 deaf participants at the next ICED conference in Rome. I went to two before, and I think there were never that many.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
That you can build a career on sign language without ever using it.
That you can build a career on sign language without ever using it.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
In general, it takes about 1000 years to form 1cm of new soil.
In general, it takes about 1000 years to form 1cm of new soil.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
We’re not clear on what *information* is, at all
We’re not clear on what *information* is, at all
June 17, 2025 at 9:52 AM
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
That you can build a career on sign language without ever using it.
That you can build a career on sign language without ever using it.
What a great paper. I miss Twitter (or what it once was), and @jmhenner.bsky.social in it. Thanks to @deafkilljoy.bsky.social and Rachael Gabriel for writing this. Make sure to check the other papers in the special issue in honour of Jon Henner. academic.oup.com/jdsde/articl...
Layers, cells, and constellations: Jon Henner’s Twitter platform as crip activism
Abstract. This paper examines the role of Jon Henner’s Twitter presence (@jmhenner) as a form of crip activism, exploring how he used the platform to chall
academic.oup.com
June 17, 2025 at 9:41 AM
What a great paper. I miss Twitter (or what it once was), and @jmhenner.bsky.social in it. Thanks to @deafkilljoy.bsky.social and Rachael Gabriel for writing this. Make sure to check the other papers in the special issue in honour of Jon Henner. academic.oup.com/jdsde/articl...
At #DrDeaf we hand out designated Dr Deaf mugs to participants who received a PhD. Congratulations @bevjbuchanan.bsky.social and Paul Simmons on your PhDs - we look forward to handing out many more Dr Deaf mugs in the years to come!
June 13, 2025 at 7:07 AM
At #DrDeaf we hand out designated Dr Deaf mugs to participants who received a PhD. Congratulations @bevjbuchanan.bsky.social and Paul Simmons on your PhDs - we look forward to handing out many more Dr Deaf mugs in the years to come!