On the 30th-31st of January 2013, as part of the AISB workshop series (see description below), the 
Distributed Thinking Symposium V (DTS V) will be held at Goldsmiths, University of London. The 
theme of the workshop is 'The Time-scales of Language Dynamics in Systemic Thinking', and we 
invite you to submit an abstract for consideration for a talk at the workshop. 


Workshop abstract

‘The time-scales of language dynamics in systemic thinking’ is the fifth Distributed Thinking 
Symposium. Like its predecessors it brings together researchers from artificial intelligence, 
psychology, and the language sciences to discuss themes of general interest. While its general 
aim is to be an interdisciplinary forum, it focusing on the how people integrate the various 
time-scales of language and thinking also has discipline specific implications.

Recent developments in psychology and the language sciences show that language goes beyond the 
raw linguistic content identified with sentences or discourse (see e.g., Sperber & Wilson, 1995; 
Love, 2004). This departs from the traditional code-like view of language that traces understanding 
to decoding determinate forms. Rather, language is viewed as a dynamic process that, while centred 
on human interaction also exploits historically derived resources (Cowley, 2011). Interaction and 
problem solving are thus understood, not in relation to normative models, but as sense-saturated, 
regulatory human activity (Vallée-Tourangeau, Euden, & Hearn, 2011; Steffensen, in press). This 
results in systemic thinking and action whose dynamics play out in (at least) evolutionary, 
cultural and developmental time-scales. Cognition and language are thus local or situated and 
yet dependent on non-local processes or grammatical, cultural, and historical resources that, 
while not present, are essential for communication and thinking (Thibault, 2011). To conceptualize 
and operationalize systemic cognition in psychology, the language sciences, and artificial 
intelligence, there is a need to develop a clear view of how time-scales, dynamics, and 
local/non-local influences impact on human interactive communication.

Consequently, the workshop explores interdisciplinary research pertaining to time, language 
dynamics and systemic thinking as influential factors in cognition, languaging, and human-computer 
interaction. 


Important dates for the workshop

Abstract Submission: 7th of December 2012

Notification of Decision: 21st of December 2012

Registration: 15th of January 2013

Workshop: 30th-31st of January 2013



The AISB Workshop Series

The AISB is sponsoring a series of workshops which are being held across the United Kingdom, 
covering a wide range of themes pertinent to the aims of the society. The first workshop, which 
was held on 26th September 2012 at Goldsmith's College London, explored the theme of Sensory Motor 
Theory. The events are abstract-only and free for AISB members. Current non-members are welcome to 
attend for the cost of AISB membership, which applies to both speakers and attendees.

If you are interested in more information on the series please contact the workshop organisers at 
workshops@aisb.org.uk

 
Registration

There are only a very limited number of places available at the workshop and places will be given 
on a first come, first serve basis. Attendees should register for the workshop by emailing 
overmuren@gmail.com with their full name, affiliation, position, email address and AISB membership 
number (if applicable). 


Abstracts are requested for speakers wishing to present at the workshop. Abstracts should be 
between 200 and 300 words (excluding references). Abstracts will be reviewed by the workshop 
organisers and assessed based on quality and relevance to the workshop. The presentation title 
and abstract should be submitted to the workshop organisers at overmuren@gmail.com by Friday 7th 
of December 2012.

Please note, that attendance for the workshop require an AISB membership 
http://www.aisb.org.uk/about/join. For students, the first year's membership is free.


Sponsored by

The Society for Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB)

http://www.aisb.org.uk/

Supported by
Kingston Distributed Cognition Group
https://sites.google.com/site/dcognition/